FOMBELL - From breakfast through supper on Monday, it was party, party, party for senior citizens.

More than 170 individuals from the 11 senior centers in Butler County and one in Beaver County, came together at Camp Kon-O-Kwee lodge for their first combined Christmas party.

For the past two years only the Mars and Zelienople senior centers had banded together to celebrate the holiday at the camp.

The daylong event featured a variety of entertainment, including a singalong and an hourlong Christmas tale told by storyteller Vonnie Kaye Brough of Ellwood City. Various groups from senior centers around the county provided homegrown fun with skits, dancing and songs.

Candy making, a "wacky fashion" show, a craft sale offering goods made by the members of the Penn Mar Senior Center in Mars and a holiday-themed bingo rounded out the day, said Maureen Huff, assistant director for the Lutheran Service Society.

Butler County senior centers are operated by Lutheran Service Society under a contract with the Butler County Area Agency on Aging.

The Mars senior center from Penn Mar Plaza had a 40-person contingent at the party.

"They like it here. It's not far to go and it's affordable," said Sandy Tindall, center coordinator.

According to Cranberry Township senior center coordinator Rita Schweiger, 15 people joined in the first-time fun of Christmas in the Woods at Camp Kon-O-Kwee. When it came to describing the hall and the outdoor scenery at the venue, Schweiger called it "gorgeous."

For Elaine Eichemaur of the Cooperstown area, a frequent visitor to Penn-Mar, coming to the Christmas party at the camp was a repeat affair.

Her favorite memories from last year's party were making caramel apples and line dancing. This year the candy making was high on the list of activities she enjoyed during the day. She came to the party at the invitation of her friend, Pearl McCloskey.

McCloskey lives in the Penn-Mar apartments and has been to the party for each of the three years it has been held the lodge.

"I think it's wonderful here," she said.