The holiday season is a time for people of all ages, from the young, to the young at heart. At the Howell Senior Center, residents have several chances to enjoy all that comes with the holidays without having to go far from home thanks to a variety of performing artists coming from within their own ranks.

 This morning the festivities officially began with an event called a "Holiday Cruise Around Howell." In addition to having a Mariachi band, the Dorian Parreott Trio, guests at the party also got a catered caribbean themed lunch. 

Next Thursday the center is going to be holding "Fred Miller's Holiday Show," starting at 11:30 a.m. followed by the monthly birthday party. The concert is scheduled to start at 12:15. Carol Zur, the Director of Senior Services said Mr. Miller is an entertainer and piano player who will be doing his holiday show for those in attendance to enjoy. 

That is just the start of the performances for the week as the next day will be "Singing and Subs day," where residents Angie Macaluso and Joe Brady will be leading a holiday singalong followed by a special holiday buffet. 

One of the biggest highlights at the senior center this month will be a trip around Howell to see the lights put up by other residents. On Dec. 16 the senior residents are invited for a holiday singalong, hot chocolate and snacks and a bus tour of the town to see the lights.  That will be followed the next day by a performance by the Impulse Quartet, a ladies barbershop singing group that will be singing during a pizza party. 

The festivities will end on Dec. 21 with a holiday luncheon on Dec. 21 to wrap up the full month of fun and enjoyment. Ms. Zur said the center is a chance for the seniors of the town to come together and enjoy themselves for the holiday season and all year round. "A lot of the people who we serve either have family out of town, or don't have family at all," she said. "For a lot of them, this is it. What we have is what they have and for those who have more it's always good to have more."

Ms. Zur said the holiday season is a good chance to get the senior citizens in the community together to share stories and songs and their holiday traditions. "It's a good chance to socialize and not be isolated and be stimulated," she said. 

For more information call the Senior Center at 732-938-4500 ext. 2550.