LONDONDERRY - Edythe Dowd had a hard time deciding what she wanted from the Good Humor ice-cream truck that stopped by the Lions Club Pavilion as 160 senior citizens finished their barbecue dinner last night
"Hurry up and decide," Denise Shanks shouted to her. "Or get back in line."
Dowd, decked out for the occasion with large dangling earrings and an embroidered jacket, laughed and chose an ice-cream sandwich - which seemed to be the item of choice for most of the crowd.
Senior Night, with members of the Lions Club manning the grill, kicked off the town's 108th Old Home Day celebration.
The observance of Old Home Day - originally a one-day event - has been a New Hampshire tradition for more than a century and was started in 1899 by Gov. Frank Rollins. Londonderry is one of fewer than a dozen communities in the state that have faithfully observed Old Home Day on the third weekend in August.
Although it takes place over five days, the town keeps the name "Old Home Day" for historical and nostalgic reasons.
"I've always enjoyed the Saturdays during Old Home Day," said Nancy Irwin, a 26-year resident. "It's such a social event and I run into people I haven't seen in awhile."
Irwin, 74, helps with preparation of the Londonderry Methodist Church's pulled pork and sausage cookout on Saturday.
"A bunch of us chop up peppers and onions Friday night," she said.
Virginia Enos, 75, said that during past Old Home Days, she used to enjoy the crafts displayed on the Town Common. Enos also likes sitting in the Londonderry Senior Citizens Inc. booth during the Saturday festivities.
"I tell people how the organization has been a lifesaver for me now that I'm retired," she said.
Seniors are a busy bunch in Londonderry and when there's food - and free at that - the more the merrier.
"I planned for 100 people to sign up for the barbecue," said Carole Connolly, chairwoman of Senior Night for the Old Home Days Committee.
"I was inundated with phone calls and couldn't turn anyone away," she said. "I had 160 people reserve a spot. Next year, I'm planning on 200 people."
This is the third year Senior Night has been added to Old Home Day.
After the free barbecue, there was a concert on the Town Common by the 20-piece Windham Swing Band under the direction of Rob Daisy. The group, accompanied by vocalist Lauren Meehan, has full big-band instrumentation and its repertoire includes swing standards and other musical arrangements of that era.
"Hurry up and decide," Denise Shanks shouted to her. "Or get back in line."
Dowd, decked out for the occasion with large dangling earrings and an embroidered jacket, laughed and chose an ice-cream sandwich - which seemed to be the item of choice for most of the crowd.
Senior Night, with members of the Lions Club manning the grill, kicked off the town's 108th Old Home Day celebration.
The observance of Old Home Day - originally a one-day event - has been a New Hampshire tradition for more than a century and was started in 1899 by Gov. Frank Rollins. Londonderry is one of fewer than a dozen communities in the state that have faithfully observed Old Home Day on the third weekend in August.
Although it takes place over five days, the town keeps the name "Old Home Day" for historical and nostalgic reasons.
"I've always enjoyed the Saturdays during Old Home Day," said Nancy Irwin, a 26-year resident. "It's such a social event and I run into people I haven't seen in awhile."
Irwin, 74, helps with preparation of the Londonderry Methodist Church's pulled pork and sausage cookout on Saturday.
"A bunch of us chop up peppers and onions Friday night," she said.
Virginia Enos, 75, said that during past Old Home Days, she used to enjoy the crafts displayed on the Town Common. Enos also likes sitting in the Londonderry Senior Citizens Inc. booth during the Saturday festivities.
"I tell people how the organization has been a lifesaver for me now that I'm retired," she said.
Seniors are a busy bunch in Londonderry and when there's food - and free at that - the more the merrier.
"I planned for 100 people to sign up for the barbecue," said Carole Connolly, chairwoman of Senior Night for the Old Home Days Committee.
"I was inundated with phone calls and couldn't turn anyone away," she said. "I had 160 people reserve a spot. Next year, I'm planning on 200 people."
This is the third year Senior Night has been added to Old Home Day.
After the free barbecue, there was a concert on the Town Common by the 20-piece Windham Swing Band under the direction of Rob Daisy. The group, accompanied by vocalist Lauren Meehan, has full big-band instrumentation and its repertoire includes swing standards and other musical arrangements of that era.
Old Home Day, which used to be organized by the Historical Society, is now run by a committee of residents. Town Councilor Kathy Wagner has served as the event's chairwoman for the past four years.
The theme of this year's celebration is "The Big Apple of New Hampshire." Teacher Carmen Reed's fourth-grade class at Matthew Thornton Elementary School came up with the name as part of an annual contest open.
Saturday is the busiest day of the five-day event with a baby contest, 5K road race, parade, Revolutionary War encampment at the Morrison House Museum, and lots of family activities.
John Noftle, 80, plans to run in the 5K race Saturday morning.
"This is the first year they've had an 80-and-over category," said Noftle, who has run 48 marathons.
"I hope no one else enters in that age group."
Old Home Day Highlights
Today
Kidz Night
Town Common, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Tomorrow
Police and Fire departments' annual softball game
Matthew Thornton baseball field, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Family concert featuring the Souled Out Show Band
Londonderry High School front lawn, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks
Londonderry High School front lawn, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday
Lundgren 5K Road Race
Grange Hall, 8 a.m., registration 6:45 to 8 a.m.
Baby Contest
Matthew Thornton gymnasium, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Revolutionary War Encampment
Morrison House Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Old Home Day parade
Mammoth Road from middle school to Mack's Apples, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Sunday
Contemporary Christian concert
Town Common, 3 to 6 p.m.
Visit www.oldhomeday.com for a full schedule of events
