11 seniors receive 2017 Successful Aging awards

Eleven senior citizens from southern Vermont were recognized on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Senior Solutions Annual Meeting and 2017 Successful Aging Awards in Springfield.

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11 seniors receive 2017 Successful Aging awardsFree Access | October 26, 2017 By TORY DENIS mftwmail@gmail.com The 2017 Successful Aging Awards were presented on Oct. 25 in Springfield, Vermont. Award winners included, from left, Ann Firkey, Bill Lincoln, Joan Lake, Marlene O’Connor, Augusta “Gussie” Bartlett, Albert DeCell, and Erwin “Sonny Brown Jr. Missing from photo are award winners Robert “Bob” Evens, Robert Mitchell, Claire Wilson, and Sigrid Blazej. — TORY DENIS SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Eleven senior citizens from southern Vermont were recognized on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Senior Solutions Annual Meeting and 2017 Successful Aging Awards in Springfield. The Senior Solutions Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont board, staff, and members of the community gathered on Wednesday morning at the annual meeting at the Nolin-Murray Center. Recipients of this year’s Successful Aging awards were nominated from all over Windsor and Windham counties. The award has been given out each year for at least the past eight years, according to Chester resident Nonie Spaulding, president of the board of directors. The annual award recognizes persons who are over the age of 80 and who are all actively involved in their communities, Spaulding said. The award “has evolved in a really nice way,” said Rob Hamm, outgoing board president. The following award recipients were recognized: Augusta “Gussie” Bartlett, of Marlboro, was nominated by Jennifer Mazur, who called her the “epitome of successful and healthy aging.” Since her retirement as a special education teacher, Bartlett has been active in many organizations and activities. She has served on the school board, Historical Board, and now serves on the Marlboro Cares and Marlboro Alliance boards. She is known for visiting people, bringing a meal or gift to cheer them up, helping others, and providing rides to neighbors for their medical appointments. She has raised five children and has seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She also enjoys a daily bike ride, walk, or hike. Erwin E. “Sonny” Brown Jr. of East Dover was nominated by the Dover Selectboard. Brown is a lifelong member of the Dover community. He has served in various positions for 43 years, including on the board of selectmen, the zoning board of adjustment, as a justice of the peace, and as dog warden. He is also a past member of the fire department, and continued to assist the DFD with fundraising for many years. Brown and his wife were married for 60 years before she passed. They raised five children and have two granddaughters. Albert DeCell of Weston was nominated by Denis Benson. DeCell is a business owner for more than 60 years. He served as a lister from 1957 to 1960, on the selectboard from 1965 to 1968, and as a fence viewer, 2009-2010. He is a member of the board of directors for the Church on the Hill in Weston, and is the owner and president of a painting contracting business in Weston. Robert “Bob” Evens of Cavendish was nominated by Audrey Bridges. Evens has been an RSVP volunteer for 20 years, and volunteers for Black River Good Neighbor Services, the Cavendish Library, fire department, Fletcher Foundation, and anyone in need. Bridges said Evans is diligent, dedicated, and creative, and the definition of a good neighbor. Ann Firkey was nominated by Cheryl Gurdak, who was her student in the third and fourth grade in the 1950s. Firkey taught elementary school for 34 years, and after retirement she continued to substitute for four years. Firkey is devoted to her family, church and education. She is an active member of the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church for more than 50 years, and the Ladies Altar Society. She has coordinated the Ludlow Antique Show church fundraiser for 25 years, and is an active planner with the town of Cavendish for events, and coordinates funeral receptions. She winters in San Jose, California with her family and granddaughter. Joan Lake of Grafton was nominated by Kim Record and Catherine Siano-Goodwin. With sincere enthusiasm and excitement, she has nurtured community members in many ways, they said. She volunteers at Grafton Cares lunches each Wednesday, is a member of the Fireman’s Women’s Auxiliary, and helps plan the Fall Fireman’s Festival, town picnics, and meetings. A retired registered nurse, she also works the voting stations, provides rides to others, is a mentor, and enjoys knitting and quilting. Marlene O’Connor of Bellows Falls was nominated by Teagen Kosut. O’Connor has volunteered locally for more than 30 years, also heading the American Cross blood drive for 30 years. She started a community potluck lunch in Westminster 25 years ago, and still coordinates it. She serves lunch at the Bellows Falls Area Senior Center three days a week, and has filled in for the Bone Builders instructor. She is a member of the Bellows Falls Women’s Club, and was just voted their 2017 Senior of the Year. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and playing golf. Bill Lincoln of Townshend was nominated by Billie Stark and Christine Gray. Lincoln is a past principal of Leland & Gray High School. He still actively supports the sports and the arts through the school. He washes dishes at senior lunches, takes food donations from Newfane to the Townshend Food Shelf, is a Deacon in his church, and plays the bell choir. Lincoln is also on the Called to Care Committee and the O&A Committee. He remains very active in the community and is appreciated for all he does, according to the nomination. Robert Mitchell of Springfield was nominated by Heather Hall. Mitchell has been very active in his community for many years. In 2004, he was nominated as the Springfield Senior Center Senior of the Year because of his commitment to the center. He goes above and beyond to volunteer his time and ideas. He provides musical entertainment for all, especially for holiday fundraising events. He continues to donate his time, “and is a trusted and valued friend of the Springfield community,” according to the nomination. Claire Wilson of Putney was nominated by Putney Cares. Wilson is extremely active in the Putney community, and serves on many boards, including the Putney Mountain Association. She volunteers at Putney Cares as a facilitator and delivers meals on wheels. She is also the founder of the Putney Green Mountain Spinnery. Sigrid Blazej of Brookline was nominated by Dorothy Maggio. Blazej, who moved to Brookline in 1956, previously served on the Brookline School Board as treasurer, and is a past member of the Brookline Ladies Benevolent Society. She currently serves as treasurer of the New Brook Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and was just elected to her 49th term. She is a member of the Windham Historical Society. She also helps the NBFD with its silent auction and the Peace and Good Will dinner and fundraising event. Guest speaker at the annual meeting was filmmaker Jesse Kreitzer, who showed his film, “Caregivers,” a documentary-narrative hybrid film about eldercare in the hills of rural Vermont. Told over the course of four seasons and featuring accompaniment by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the film was produced in partnership with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Senior Solutions, Brattleboro Area Hospice, and the Vermont Folklife Center. Senior Solutions also recognized volunteers and celebrated the organization’s achievements, which are made possible with the help of supporters and community partners. Gifts for the 2017 award recipients were donated by Danforth Pewter of Middlebury.