It Was Rosie's Show; Now It's Official

Though the 32nd annual Senior Citizen Jamboree at South Ardmore Park, held Wednesday, July 13th by Lower Merion Township's Parks & Recreation Department, was well attended by huhdreds, there was one conspicuous absense.

That would be Rosemary "Rosie" Riley, a "tireless" department worker of 24 years, the Township said. "The Senior Jamboree was a labor of love for her," wrote Brenda Viola, the Township's public information officer." 

Rosie died last fall, friends said at the event. In her honor, the event will now be called "Rosie's Senior Jamboree," announced Director of Parks and Recreation Lindsay Taylor. Rosie di everythign "from obtaining donations for flowers to adding cole slaw to the menu," and "worked worked to make each year's Jamboree better than the last, even encouraging her friends and relatives to volunteer their help."

The event was free, with a picnic lunch (hot dogs and hamburgers prepared and served by Parks and Recreation staff members and volunteers), prizes, music and visits from politicians, Township administrators and a couple of senior members of the Lower Merion Police Department. A variety of tables offered attendees the opportunity to learn more about programs and services available to them in the Township.

"Continuing a long tradition, desserts were coordinated by the staff and volunteers of ElderNet of Lower Merion and Narberth, with additional help from volunteers from S.E.I. in Oaks and friends at Bryn Mawr Terrace," Viola wrote.

"ElderNet appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Township each year because the very people we want to serve are the seniors who attend the Jamboree," said Ruth Sperber, ElderNet Executive Director.

Dessert donations were provided by , The Bakery House of Bryn Mawr, Buy the Dozen of Narberth, , and , and Acme Markets.

More than 40 gift certificates and other prizes were presented to raffle winners, with picnic donations provided by Bryn Mawr Trust bank, Genuardi's, , Magna Wand & Biomagnetics, Narberth Beverage, Stroehmann's Bakery, Sun Valley Pizzeria and Catering, Disc Jockey Tommy Tunes, Wawa and West Laurel Hill Cemetery. Flower arrangements were provided by Albrecht's, Brill's, Hi-Fi House and The Bouquet Shop.

To learn more about the Parks and Recreation Department's programs, or to participate in support of the 2012 "Rosie's Senior Jamboree," contact (610) 645-6220.