Rene Bryan emceed the event two weeks ago, and introduced (left to right) RIOC President Steve Shane, Public Safety Chief Jim Fry, Residents Association President Matthew Katz, State Senator Jose Serrano, and Borough President Scott Stringer. Also on hand to speak were City Councilmember Jessica Lappin and Member of Congress Carolyn Maloney.

I admired their energy and enthusiasm. I applauded their skits and dances. I was moved by their words and felt their pride. This was Senior Day at RISA (the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association), and many were there to honor and enjoy, as I was.

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Senior Day on Sunday, June 3rd, several of our political representatives and RIOC executives came to honor and deliver speeches of praise and encouragement.

Awards were presented, there was entertainment by RISA members and a visiting senior group from Harlem, delicious food was served, T-shirts with the logo "Super Seniors" were sold, and a good time was had by all.

Uniquely among today’s Island seniors, Helen Roht remembers the founding of RISA, the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association.

The director of the Senior Center, Rema Townsend, presented The New York City Comptroller’s Award to Clarissa McCraley and Marilyn Sherman for outstanding service to the community. A RISA Achievement Award was bestowed on Helen Roht, the only living founder of RISA (now in its 30th year), which read, "For being the foundation on which we now stand."

Roht, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday and whose play was performed at Gallery RIVAA in March, inspired the audience of nearly 100 with these words: "Now that we are living longer, this generation of seniors is particularly fortunate. It has a precious extension of time in which to tap all the resources it doesn’t even know it has.

Longer life is made possible by advances of science and technology and greater understanding of human behavior. Remember, this is a time when you can learn to live with illness and enjoy games and leisure activities.

"This generation must change its self-image from one of sometimes wracked with aches and pains to one of excitement about the plans ahead for a new grandchild or perhaps writing a memoir of the early days to a daughter or granddaughter. We have time to write, read, paint, learn a musical instrument or how to knit. Time to spend with family or making a new friend."

The RISA Executive Board, left to right: Pilar Sierra, Lynn Bilt, Dominic Sciallo, Bubu Arya, Joan Christianson, Dolores Green, Ruth Davidson, Pearl Cooper.

Roosevelt Island’s Senior Center, at 546 Main Street, is the place to do much of what she suggests. According to RISA president Dolores Green, RISA’s mission is to enhance the lives and well-being of Roosevelt Island seniors with activities such as exercise classes (Tai Chi, Yoga, self-massage therapy, etc.), computer training, health screenings, creative arts, field trips, theater, movies at the center, cultural and holiday celebrations, games, daily lunches, and socializing. Membership is $10 a year, and open to any resident 55 or older.

"You don’t know what you can do until you try," Helen Roht told her audience at the celebration. "Take advantage!"