Montco SAAC hosts annual fashion show in Blue Bell

WHITPAIN » Many stylists advise older men and women who want to look good to keep updating and refreshing their wardrobes periodically.

Here to help in that department with a fresh look at timeless styles, the fourth annual Silver Foxes Fashion Show will be in the spotlight on June 9, 10 a.m., at Blue Bell Country Club.

Hosted by the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (Montco SAAC), the much-anticipated fashion extravaganza raises money for Montco SAAC’s three Meals on Wheels programs, two senior centers, and an Ambler-based intergenerational art center.

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In addition to supporting services for thousands of seniors that depend on them, the fashion show is also a reminder that age should never limit one’s dreams and ambitions, noted Montco SAAC executive director Whitney Lingle.

“Our members look forward to this event all year. They get such a kick out of choosing their fabulous outfits and strutting their stuff for our guests,” Lingle said. “Last year, one of the members told our staff that he could barely sleep the night after the soldout fashion show because he was so excited. Walking down a runway in front of 175 people isn’t a small feat. That’s exactly the energy that we want everyone to take away from this event. It’s a reminder that age shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to living life to the fullest.”

Al Fields of Trappe was among the lineup of men and women who agreed to be models for a day last year.

“I never gave modeling a thought before that,” said the 75-year-old with a laugh.

“It was a lot of fun. None of us are model material particularly, just regular people. But the audience we modeled for appreciated it. They had a lot of fun and we had a lot fun too, and that’s what counts.”

Fields remembered going to fashion show sponsor Boscov’s department store in Plymouth Meeting to pick out his clothes with the other male models.

“Guys don’t usually have a good eye for color and things like that, so the people at the store helped us out a lot, picking out sport coats, pants and shirts. If you had a hat or jewelry at home that you wanted to wear, that was fine… whatever you felt comfortable with,” added Fields, who said Boscov’s was offering a 10 percent discount to the men if they wanted to buy any of the clothes.

This year, Che Bella in Skippack will be providing the clothing for the women and Tony Laguda’s Formalwear will be providing the clothing for the men.

Fields, who retired from an appliance business in Pennsburg and also taught adult classes at Montgomery County Community College and Reading Area Community College, isn’t sure if he’ll be walking the runway again, due to a possible vacation conflict.

“If I do decide to do it again I know it will be fun,” said Fields, who said volunteering for the Meals on Wheels program was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

“A priest who is a friend of mine asked me to help out and I did,” said Fields, who delivers meals in Norristown two days a week. “You use your own car, your own gas. You get to know your clients. You