Birthday party has them dancing in the parking lot

Wearing brightly colored hats, broad smiles and in some cases, dancing shoes, they enjoyed a celebration nearly two years in the making.

A tailgate birthday bash was held at the Dartmouth Senior Center Sept. 30 to make up for all the birthday parties the center was forced to cancel last year due to Covid.

“It’s a birthday party for everyone,’’ said center director Amy DiPietro.

The celebration was a success, she said. “It’s been phenomenal,’’ she said. “I can’t tell you how nice it is to see everybody smiling and dancing.’’

Although everyone’s birthday was celebrated, one in particular captured attention.

Marie Andrade turned 101 Sept. 25 and was cheered and greeted by her friends at the center as she sat in her vehicle, her smile never fading.

She has lived in the same house in Dartmouth for 62 years. Before that, she lived in New Bedford for 39 years.

She describes her lifestyle as relatively ordinary, although she never smoked, which she helped her health.

“I worked hard, ‘’ she said, which was a lesson forged by the Depression.

But otherwise, she said, her long life is “a blessing from God.’’

This outdoor bash include boxed lunches, birthday cake and music by disc jockey Jordan Paiva.

His music, including popular favorites such as “We Will Rock You,’’ “Sweet Caroline,’’ “It’s Now or  Never’’ and “Que Sera Sera’’ drew dancers to the sidewalk that doubled as a dance floor.

Sisters Judy Cambra and Gail Costa enjoyed the chance to live up to their nickname, The Cha Cha Girls.

Cambra smiled as she explained how they earned that title. “We cha cha all the time,’’ Cambra said.