MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Thursday, Aug. 3, marked the first of what is destined to become an annual trip for Maplewood and South Orange seniors on the Spirit of New Jersey Cruise.
The group of sightseers met at DeHart Community Center in Maplewood to begin the adventure aboard a bus to the ship in Weehawken, where the real fun commenced. The three-hour cruise was filled with laughs as it glided over the Hudson and East rivers for sun and fun.
The trip featured a delicious buffet, air-conditioned cabin, and the best views of Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines, including the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center and more. The live entertainment included a DJ and dance floor, on which recreation program supervisor Ronnie Quacquarini made a name for himself demonstrating the cha cha slide with some Maplewood seniors.
“This trip is something I’ve always wanted to add to the senior programming schedule,” Maplewood Recreation Director Melissa Mancuso said in a press release. “The feedback was great and our seniors loved seeing the landmarks from the water, including Lady Liberty. It seems the giant jenga was a crowd pleaser and that’s an investment the recreation department will be making for more frequent friendly challenges!”
Maplewood Recreation invites seniors from the two towns to register today for the 40th annual senior picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 6; tickets are charged.
To register for senior programming, visit https://maplewoodrecdesk.com/community/program or call 973-763-0750.
Photos Courtesy of Michelle Wesley
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