Every other year, the Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly host a Gala inviting the community to the mansion at Round Hill for a night of appetizers, drinks, music, talk and laughter.

Maria Connor, Friends of the Elderly president, said they sold 140 tickets this year. All the proceeds from the event go toward scholarships and projects for the Council on Aging, especially for its infrastructure. 

Connor said the focus right now is on the Center’s kitchen, but added she would like to see something done with the unused courtyard. She said she envisions there being a tent filled with chairs and little tables so seniors can get outside even during the colder months and inclement weather.

“In the winter time, seniors get very depressed with no sun,” she said, adding she’d like to see this space put to good use.

The gala featured live music performed by musicians from the New Bedford Symphony. A few volunteers went all out and dressed up as flappers from the 1920s to fit a theme people have been asking for for a while, according to Connor. 

Karie Monast, vice president of the Friends of the Elderly, said having the Gala every other year is “very exciting.”

She added, “It's a great thing for the community. It raises a lot of money to help our elders in the community.”

Alice Costa said she attended the Gala because Connor is a “very dear friend of hers” and she wanted to support the Council on Aging. 

“It’s a beautiful time — too bad the rain is here tonight — but it’s lovely,” Costa said.

She added she loves being able to see all the people at the event.

Beverly and Robert Quinton said they’ve been coming to the Gala for a few years and that “it’s just a chance to meet old friends, relax a little bit and a beautiful area.”

“We really appreciate Maria’s efforts,” Beverly said. “She's put her heart and soul into this every time.”