By EUNICE COX
The "Merry Month of May" will be celebrated as Older Americans Month nationally, in Sunnyvale and in Santa Clara County. It will mark the 33rd year since President John F. Kennedy issued Proclamation 3527 on April 18, 1963, proclaiming May to be Senior Citizens Month. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter changed the name to Older Americans Month.
The Sunnyvale Senior Center is marking the occasion May 3 with a "Fun After 50" Day at the Town Center mall, set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Douglas McConnell, host of "Bay Area Backroads" on KRON-TV, channel 4, is slated to speak at 1 p.m. about his work on both the local series and the Discovery Channel. The band Four Pennies & A Token will open the day, and accordionists Auggie Baldanzi and Ned Gault will perform during the lunch hour. The event is co-sponsored by Sunnyvale's Department of Parks and Recreation and the Town Center.
Sunnyvale seniors can continue to celebrate their month in the sun with a Riverboat Casino Night May 11, 6-9 p.m., at the senior center, 820 W. McKinley Ave. All gambling will be done with play money, but those who pay the $2 entry fee are eligible for door prizes.
The Sunnyvale Bayview Seniors honored 50 people at an April 19 luncheon who have helped keep the club up and running.
Recognition went to:
*Opal Hern, former editor of the Bayview Seniors newsletter, current news editor Elmer Giles, reporter Contioso and artist Evelyn Osenda;
*kitchen supervisor Filomena Martinez, assistant supervisor Lydia Horillo and staff members Trini Moreno, Laura Menacho, Jennie Heminez, Rita Fernandez, Nellie Lopez, Mary Menacho and Mary Ann and Bill Norby;
*door hostess Mable Phelps, greeters Velma Sparks and Peggy Irvine, and sergeant-at-arms Raymond Phelps;
*custodians Faustino Fernandez and Emmit Dervin;
*registrars Virginia Glendening, Angeline Levas and Klarene Kamitzes;
*bingo caller Bud Potosky, paymaster Ralph Hern and security officer John Jackson;
*music director Elston Flores and pianist Jean Heath;
*birthday-table decorators Joyce and Bill Randolf;
*board directors Ben Ariza, Jerry Nieto and Marge Jordan;
*trip committee members Ann and Bud Potosky and Celeste and Bob Loebs;
*former "sunshine lady" Michaelena Hughes and Midge Anderson, who now contacts and reports on ill members of the club;
*bylaws committee members Elston Flores, Jo Jackson and Burnetta Contioso;
*membership co-chairwomen Cynthia Rapoport and Ann Sanchez;
*board president Mary Hildago, vice president John Coreris, second vice president Helen Constantine, correspondence secretary Manuela Rodrigues, recording secretary Ann Potosky and treasurer Gloria Goldberg; and
*past board presidents El Flores, Dorothy Kirk and Angie Levas.
While we "hale and hearty" senior citizens and friends enjoy the these and other special events, we shall also remember that our nation is growing older at an unprecedented rate. During this month of special emphasis, we can take time to focus not only on the contributions and needs of current older Americans, but also on our responsibility as a community and a nation to prepare to meet the needs of future older Americans. Young people of today are the grandparents of the future The theme for Older Americans Month 1996 is "Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity". Millions of seniors here in Santa Clara County and elsewhere truly have made the most of growing older by their continuing contributions to their families and their communities. It is encouraging to all of us, regardless of our age, to view growing older as a gift which we can look forward to and prepare for throughout our entire lives. The rewards are fabulous!
Eunice Cox is on the board of the Santa Clara County Council on Aging and a representative in the California Senior Legislature.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, May 1, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.