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Pictured are Sandra Jackson, special events coordinator; Mahki, 9; Natasha Harmon; Deidra Harmon; and Keith Pressey, director of Parks and Recreation, at the Senior Arts and Wellness Day Festival at Peach Orchard Park.<\/p>\n Pictured are Sandra Jackson, special events coordinator; Mahki, 9; Natasha Harmon; Deidra Harmon; and Keith Pressey, director of Parks and Recreation, at the Senior Arts and Wellness Day Festival at Peach Orchard Park.<\/p>\n
LINDEN \u2014 Linden\u2019s seniors were recently celebrated at Peach Orchard Park.<\/p>\n
Mayor Derek Armstead, the city of Linden, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Union County Board of County Commissioners presented the Senior Arts and Wellness Day Festival.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The free event had live entertainment, arts and crafts, exercise games, walking activities and refreshments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love our seniors,\u201d said Armstead. \u201cOne day, we\u2019ll all be there. We let them know we appreciate them; do everything we can to help them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The mayor further showed his appreciation for the seniors by giving them a treat: hearing him sing onstage \u201cThe Girl is Mine,\u201d with Valarie Adams and The Dimension Band.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following Armstead\u2019s performance, Adams led the seniors in an aerobics dance. She said, \u201cWe don\u2019t just want quantity of life, we want quality!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The band continued performing rhythm and blues, classic 1960s, 1970s and 1980s music, line dances, \u201cThe Twist,\u201d \u201cThe Hokey Pokey\u201d and Caribbean dancing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adams has been an entertainer for more than 30 years. She began singing in church. Then, one night, her sister took her to a bar and dared her to sing. Adams sang and won a talent competition. She said, \u201cI took the mic and knew it was something I\u2019d do for the rest of my life.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Keith Pressey, director of Parks and Recreation, was assisting in serving food to the seniors. He said, \u201cWe\u2019re honoring the annual senior health and fitness and collaborating with local arts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Artistic director Brianna McMaster was giving seniors painting classes. They were painting with acrylic on pre-sketched designs. \u201cIt\u2019s been fun,\u201d said McMaster. \u201cThey\u2019re doing an amazing job.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Akeem Jackson, the human service specialist of Union County Department of Human Resources, was providing resources regarding NJ SNAP food assistance benefits, health insurance, cash benefits, temporary housing and much more.<\/p>\n
Linden\u2019s Board of Health was offering blood pressure readings and educational materials. In 2025, the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute announced that the city of Linden had received the Mayors Wellness Campaign \u201cHealthy Town\u201d designation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Union County\u2019s \u201cAction Line\u201d Department of Human Services was there providing resources for SNAP and Medicaid. \u201cWe\u2019re the team that holds everything together, what resources they need. We do a little bit of everything,\u201d said Kelly Taylor.\u00a0<\/p>\n