The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Service of volunteers recognized at Senior Day
Commissioners present Outstanding Senior Citizen Awards at Great Lakes Mall
With activities ranging from chair volleyball and wine glass painting to massages and scarftying demonstrations, Senior Day proved to be yet another success.
Hosted by Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, the annual event invites area senior citizens and others to come out and enjoy music, recreation, fitness and a special awards ceremony.
Starting at 8:30 a.m. May 15, about 450 senior citizens poured into the food court to enjoy a continental breakfast and play “Bingo on the Road.”
“We are proud to support Lake County’s respected residents during Senior Day,” said Kate Miller, marketing director of Great Lakes Mall. “This occasion is a wonderful reminder of Great Lakes Mall’s commitment to the local area as a community resource by engaging members with a variety of events year-round.”
Ten senior centers throughout the county, funded by the senior services levy, collaborate to carry out the event.
Sponsored by Advanced Audiology Concepts, Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Laketran and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, attendees also were entertained by the Chardon Polka Band and participated in “The Price is Right Lite,” and variant of the popular game show.
Exhibitors also ranged from “Ask a Tech” and health screenings to home security and cosmetics.
“We are proud to support Lake County’s respected residents during Senior Day.” — Kate Miller, marketing director of Great Lakes Mall
Miller said new activity stations have helped the event grow in recent years.
“We have 60 vendors
here today, including Mentor Public Library with a little pop-up booth where folks can take a book at no charge. We also have a cooking demo station preparing corn chowder and chicken tortilla wraps.
“It’s so wonderful to see
family and friends come out to support the Outstanding Senior Citizen Awards,” Miller said.
Rousing applause came when the Outstanding Senior Citizen Awards were presented at the close of the event. Volunteers from area agencies and centers, who have significantly impacted the community through their work, were recognized by Lake County Council on Aging Executive Director Joe Tomsick
and Lake County Commissioners Dan Troy and John Hamercheck. Addressing the crowd in front of Macy’s, Troy said he was glad to be in attendance.
“As the senior member of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, not only in service, but also in age, I’m one of you,” he added. “I’ve got about three more weeks left in my 60s. A lot of you probably remember when I was a young councilman in Willowick way back
in the ’70s. But I’ve watched Lake County grow up. I’ve watched all of us grow up. I’ve watched this county become great, and it’s all because what you folks have contributed over the years.
“We appreciate what our senior citizens have done in their lifetimes for our county,” he said. “Congratulations for all you’ve done and congratulations to all the winners today as we honor our very special seniors.”