In the last 18 years, the Glen Cove Senior Center has held over 200 monthly birthday celebrations. The tradition was started by Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton when she served as the senior liaison on the City Council.
“It’s so beautiful. It’s such a nice moment,” she said. DeRiggi-Whitton served as a City Council member for two terms, from 2007 to 2012, before her election to the Nassau County Legislature. Even in her position at the county level, DeRiggi-Whitton said she tries her best to be at every month’s celebration, with few exceptions when conflicts arise.
DeRiggi-Whitton said before she stepped in, the center had “simple” birthday celebrations, but she wanted to enhance them. Now she said each member is presented with a red rose—a symbol of love—and reflects on their past before everyone is invited to have a celebratory cake.
She said when the tradition first started, her daughter, then 3, handed out the roses. Today her daughter is a senior in college.
Every senior at the center is asked the same question: “What is the secret for a long, happy, healthy life?”
DeRiggi-Whitton said that at first, seniors seem “hesitant” to answer the question. Now, after almost two decades, they come prepared, with some bringing written statements.
“Most of the speeches are about how much the senior center impacts their lives and enriches their lives,” she said.
After each senior is recognized, they go around the room and sing “Happy Birthday” in all different languages, DeRiggi-Whitton said.
“We’re all different cultures and we all get along. I love that. That’s really what Glen Cove is,” she said.
Since its start in 2008, the senior center’s birthday celebration has grown into a tradition, with many more members participating in speeches, she said. DeRiggi-Whitton said the festivities are especially important for seniors who might not have family who lives nearby. For some of them, the center’s celebration may be the only one they have, she said.
