MONROE, CT — Monroe Senior Center patrons played a game of bocce ball in the lawn area outside Tuesday, in a setup that included a cornhole game and horseshoes.
A green tent provided shade over a table with pitchers of iced tea and lemonade, and a spread that included watermelon slices and vegetables, keeping the food cool despite the afternoon sun.
The tent, two picnic tables with umbrellas (one that is handicap accessible), two benches, a grill, the horseshoes set and a storage shed were all made possible through a donation from the Monroe Rotary Club, using funds from its annual golf tournament.
In addition to the Rotary’s $7,747 donation, The Home Depot of Trumbull donated a fire pit.
“I couldn’t thank you enough for fulfilling my wish list,” Kim Cassia, the town’s director of Community and Social Services, said to the group of Monroe Rotary Club members who visited the outdoor space Tuesday.
Cassia credited First Selectman Ken Kellogg, who is also a Rotarian, with giving her the idea of things to ask for to improve the Monroe Senior Center’s outdoor space.
Kellogg told Senior Center staff and a group of patrons the Rotary Club is a civic organization that historically raises money for community causes, adding it was an honor to raise funds for them.
“This is fantastic,” said Molly Simons-Smith, president of the Monroe Rotary Club. “I’m really happy we got to do this for you guys — get you outside more and playing bocce.”
I noticed that Ken never misses a photo opportunity. I hope he plans to take one in front of 255 Monroe Turnpike – the white derelict house across from Goodwill. Each Selectman leaves a legacy behind when they leave office. This one is his.