This past May, the Rotary Club of Eastchester held its annual luncheon honoring the Longest Married Couple from the communities it
serves. With the help of the Senior Citizen Council of Eastchester, each year a couple is identified and honored by Rotary, along with their family and guests at a festive luncheon at Ciao’s Restaurant.  This year’s honorees were Helen and Anthony Argentina.

 

       

 

The LMC committee of Mike Fix, Alan Benedict and Richard Sullivan began with interviewing the Argentinas… crafting the story of the couple who have been married for sixty-seven years. All agreed it was a happy and rewarding task.

 

On the day of the luncheon many dignitaries attended: Joe Dooley, Councilman from Eastchester, was the first to present a proclamation announcing Argentina Day in the Town of Eastchester; State Representative Amy Paulin’s proclamation was presented by Alan Benedict, proclaiming it Argentina Day in New York; and Westchester County Executive George Latimer sent his people with a special invitation for the Argentinas to come to his office in White Plains for the County’s declaration.

 

A beautiful tribute to Helen and Anthony was made by Rotary’s own master story teller, Mike Fix.

The tribute, entitled  “A Wink and A Smile”, wove a heartfelt tale of love at first sight and the adventures this wonderful couple have experienced since their days together in grammar school. Time spent in the Navy, in the life of their church, and raising two wonderful children were shared. And, importantly, Helen and Anthony’s love of dancing throughout the decades was revealed. Both acknowledged that a wink and a smile often accompanied their lives in surprising and happy moments.

 

Following the presentations and Mike’s tribute, Helen took over as she joined her group The Tap Classes to perform a lively dance to ‘All that Jazz’. The crowd gave the group a standing ovation, with many calling for an encore.

 

Before the festivities came to an end, an anniversary cake was cut by the happy couple and served to all the guests.

 

Helen and Anthony Argentina have touched the lives of many people with their kindness and warmth. It was also quite evident that their kindness and warmth towards each other continues to grow with each day. A wink and a smile….