Surprise! Corn cobs, coffee, and Corzine

Gubernatorial candidate is unexpected guest at annual senior picnic Last week's 11th annual senior citizen picnic drew an all-time high turnout of over 1,000 attendees. It was a fun day for all, especially with the arrival of unexpected victor - Sen. Jon Corzine, who is on the campaign trail to become New Jersey's next governor. "I didn't know he was coming today," said Mayor and State Sen. Nicholas Sacco, who started the tradition back during his first term. "I thought he would be too busy to make an appearance here, but Senator Corzine went out of his way to come here. I was very honored to have him. I think the seniors are happy he's here, too." Corzine spoke briefly to the seniors and made political promises. "Every time I come to North Bergen, it's always a happy place," Corzine said. "The place is always packed and everyone is having a good time. You [seniors] built this society. You're the ones who helped us all to have a wonderful life. I'm going to work so that you can have an affordable prescription drug plan, to have health insurance that isn't making you crazy with HMOs. I'm going to serve you." Sacco echoed the sentiments of the gubernatorial candidate, who will face Republican Doug Forrester in November's election. "You're the ones who fought in wars, struggled through the Great Depression," Sacco said. "This country is good because of you. This day is our way of saying 'thank you' to you." When Sacco finished speaking, the music blared loudly again. Seniors hit the dance floor and munched on lunch. They sipped wine, beer and soda and laughed. Some of them hadn't seen each other since last year's picnic. "I get to see familiar faces from North Bergen that I hadn't seen in a long while," said lifelong North Bergen resident Eleanor Cernek, proud to tell everyone she's 82 years old. "It's a wonderful day. I'm 82 and like to keep going. It's a fun day and everything is for free. It's marvelous. You can't beat it." John Sanzari, a resident of North Bergen for the last 58 years, agreed. "It's really a good tribute to the senior citizens," said Sanzari, who raised two sons to become North Bergen police officers. "It's good, because it keeps the seniors informed of what's going on in town and it's good for the town to appreciate what seniors do for the town. The town really does some good things for us all year, but I think this is great. I see people I don't normally see. I come every year and I will for as long as I can make it." All-weather event Sacco likes the idea that all the township's seniors come together for this one day. "You get all the different senior groups from all over together here at one time," Sacco said. "We advertise it, send fliers out and even provide the transportation. It's become a good community event. The seniors deserve it." A few years ago, the picnic was brought indoors to the main ballroom at Schuetzen Park because changing weather every year had caused some problems. Now, each year, the seniors are treated to a free lunch of hot dogs, corn on the cob, coffee cake and coffee without worrying about the weather. "It's become very successful ever since," Sacco said. ©The Hudson Reporter 2005