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From left, "Best Dressed Irish" contest winners Frank Roach, Joe Bellucci and Dot Kelly are joined by AARP Chapter 710 President Tom Owings. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)

The members of AARP Chapter 710 in Sea Isle City never miss an opportunity to socialize – or celebrate a festive holiday.

In addition to their annual Christmas Luncheon, a monthly “Buffet and Bingo” event, and numerous bus trips to dinner theaters throughout the winter and spring, each year the gregarious members also enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a ham and cabbage luncheon. This year’s St. Patrick’s gathering was held inside Sea Isle’s Community Lodge on Thursday.

During the luncheon, which included raffles and live music from a one-man band, many of the AARP members wore their favorite green attire and St. Patrick-themed accessories in order to participate in Chapter 710’s annual “Best Dressed Irish” contest.

The winners of this year’s contest were Joe Bellucci, 90, of Ocean View, who sported a T-shirt that read “Kiss Me” and a green wig; Dot Kelly, 81, of Sea Isle, who wore novelty glasses and other eye-catching accessories, and Frank Roach, 81, of Seaville, whose green blazer, derby and shamrock tie helped make him a winner.

“Companionship is one of the best reasons to join Chapter 710, because we are very socially oriented and very much aware that our members enjoy being with friendly people,” said President Tom Owings. “We host day trips and other fun activities – plus we provide a variety of valuable information that our seniors find useful.”