Hundreds of older Watertown residents came together on a recent Sunday for an afternoon of food, entertainment, a raffle and more at the Rotary Club’s Senior Citizen Cook Out.
The Sons of Italy Hall filled up with people looking forward to having a hamburger, hot dog, pizza, or many other treats provided by local restaurants and organizations.
While they enjoyed their meal, seniors listened to music provided by DJ Rich Picceri and enjoyed several performances by dancers from the Mass Motion School of Dance.
Rotary Club members cooked up food and prepped it to be served. They got some help from several Watertown High School student volunteers.
This year’s Cook Out was the Club’s 29th, and the event started more than three decades ago. They had to put it on hold during the Pandemic, but it returned last year. Rotary President Alex Rosin said the event is something he looks forward to each year.
“It’s always great. We’ve got a lot of people involved. A lot of people in the community donating food and time an everyone is coming together. And it’s nice to give back to the seniors in our community,” Rosin said.
Along with food, dozens of businesses and individuals donated items for the day’s raffle and the welcome bags presented to each attendee.
Rosin, who has been a member of Watertown Rotary for a dozen years, is serving as president in a marquee year for the Club.
“It’s our 100 year anniversary. Jan. 25 is the official 100 year anniversary of Watertown Rotary,” Rosin said. “We have got our committee planning it. It’s our 100th year so we are going to have something. We are trying to decide when during the year, where are we going to have it, and what.”
Meanwhile, another annual Rotary Club is also in the works.
“We are in the planning stages for Dancing with the Stars,” Rosin said. “It is coming up in May. We are getting dancers signed up and a location secured. It is probably going to be at a different location this year.”
Since the Pandemic, Watertown Rotary has been getting back on its feet and Rosin said the future looks bright.
“It’s great, we have a really strong board, a strong pipeline, which we haven’t had for along time. We worked a lot toward that. (Past President) Kim (Ortiz) did a gear job getting to that point,” Rosin said. “I am looking forward to continuing to grow and continuing to attract new members, and we have some new members who have really stepped up in to leadership roles. It’s great.”
2024 Watertown Rotary Senior Citizen Cook Out
Giveaway and Raffle Donors
Ana Glover, Cambridge Savings Bank, Chase Bank, Chateau (Waltham), City Streets (Waltham), Conley’s Pub, Dallas Insurance, Donohue’s, East Cambridge Savings Bank, Grassfields (Waltham), Greg’s Restaurant, Maria Papadopoulos, Marty Greene, MJ Styles (Waltham), Paddy’s (Newton), Shine on Salon (Belmont), Starbucks, Stop & Shop (Pleasant Street), The Residence at Watertown Square, Tresca’s, Wagon Wheel (Lexington), Watertown Fire Prevention, Watertown Free Public Library, and Watertown Savings Bank
Thank Yous
Sponsors: Watertown Savings Bank, Rockland Trust
Hall Donation: Sons of Italy
Flyers: Graphic Connections
Fire Permit: Watertown Fire Prevention
Entertainment: Mass Motion School of Dance, DJ Rich Picceri
Transportation: Watertown Senior Center
Food and Beverage: Ed Sugrue, Demos, Dunkin’ Donuts, Joe’s Variety, Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria
Pictures say a thousand words.
Thanks for that Charlie.