Food, Music, and Fun Highlight West Hartford Police Officers Union’s Annual Senior Picnic
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Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
More than 130 people gathered on Wednesday for the annual West Hartford Senior Centers Picnic.

Members of the West Hartford Police College Academy program helped out at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The West Hartford Senior Centers held their 35th annual picnic at Town Hall on Wednesday, featuring a patriotic-themed barbecue lunch and lively entertainment – including dancing – to the music of Tom “T-Bone” Stankus, a member of the the local band “The Elderly Brothers.”

Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“It’s the biggest number we’ve had since COVID,” West Hartford Senior Centers Director Becky Sears said.
According to Sears, 132 seniors (defined as anyone over age 55) had registered to attend. There were also 10 volunteers in attendance – as well as many more who had helped in the planning – and five staff members to ensure the event was a success.

Senior Centers Director Becky Sears with a volunteer server at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Sears expressed her thanks to the West Hartford Police Officers Union, which provided and prepared the food. Union members, assisted by members of this year’s College Academy program, brought grills and donated and prepared all of the food – which included burgers and Hebrew National hot dogs grilled outside in the traffic circle, potato salad, coleslaw, and desserts.

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Stankus had the crowd on their feet dancing, singing along to tunes like “Sweet Caroline” and “Joy to the World,” and as a finale, many of the college students took a turn on the dance floor with seniors as their partners for “Rock Around the Clock.”

Members of the West Hartford Police College Academy program helped out at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Members of the West Hartford Police College Academy program helped out at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Members of the West Hartford Police College Academy program helped out at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dancing and singing along as Tom Stankus plays “Sweet Caroline” at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dancing to the music of Tom Stankus at the West Hartford Senior Centers Annual Picnic hosted by the West Hartford Police Officers Union. July 9, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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