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Silver Stars

The Tallahassee Senior Services, together with Capital Health Plan, congratulate the 2012 Silver Stars. Let us introduce you to this year's winners: Jim Ashlock, Joan Guilday, Lois Haug, Roger Owen, Dick Saunders, Renson Thompson, Beville Vertuno, and Willie Mae Washington. These incredible individuals were honored last Thursday for their outstanding service to the community since turning age 60. Sheila Salyer, manager of Tallahassee Senior Services, told those assembled for the gala evening, "I am humbled and inspired when I hear our Silver Stars' stories. Their contributions of time, compassion, caring and creativity continues to be generously shared with others. I hope you join with us in honoring these extraordinary individuals." Photos of the Silver Stars Awards will be published in the next issue of Active Living/Golden Review.

Jim Ashlock, 79

People call him the Gentle Giant. At 6-feet, 8-inches tall, Jim Ashlock stands as a man of impressive stature and an open mind, especially about meeting and helping new people. For seven years as volunteer coordinator for Big Bend Hospice, Jim has assisted many, many patients and their families during end of life.

He is a skilled communicator-a result of training at Columbia University School of Journalism and 50 years as a reporter and public relations professional. Those talents have served him well on several boards since his retirement, including the Aviation Advisory Board, the Goodwood Museum board and the board of Northeast Business Associates. Trinity United Methodist Church also benefits from Jim's skills; he leads a Sunday school class and volunteers as an usher.

Jim believes that people need to do something beyond themselves. He says, "Sometimes helping those in need is part of your job and sometimes it isn't. But either way, it has to be done." Jim finds volunteering tremendously rewarding. He makes himself available for short-notice assignments at Hospice, sometimes responding within a few minutes-when a patient needs a ride, or to sit with a patient in his last hours. Volunteering comes with a lot of good memories and Jim says his life is richer because of it. Through his Hospice volunteerism, he meets all kinds. "Just fantastic people!" he says. "I've seen how people live from one end of the spectrum to the other. I've been to small old houses and big, beautiful places. Misfortune doesn't pick and choose. Need is universal." Colleagues agree that the most inspirational part about the Gentle Giant is his big heart.

Joan Guilday, 80

Joan's altruistic nature can be seen throughout the entire community. She moved to Tallahassee seven years ago and immediately began to serve. Joan works in the Senior Center health suite, helps with food banks and homeless shelters, and chairs the Senior Services Advisory Council. The list goes on and on. Joan truly gives her all.

As a mediator of small claims court, Joan takes pride in facilitating the resolution of cases without the need for court involvement. The most important part of this task, Joan says, is that you help others help themselves.

Joan doesn't think of her benevolence as honorable. She says simply that it is "selfish" because she receives so much gratification from the experience of helping others. She's happy to enjoy good health and have the opportunity to volunteer in such a meaningful way.

Among her many other credits, the former surgical scrub technician volunteered at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Women's Center where she conducted tours and assisted with reports. Her volunteer "career" as a senior also included work in a church office and service as a docent at Ocala's Appleton Museum of Art.

The Tallahassee community recognized Joan's extraordinary volunteer efforts with the presentation of the President's Volunteer Service Award and she was nominated for the Tallahassee Democrat's Volunteer of the Year Award in the civic division.

She is a graduate of Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders, mom of eight, grandmother of 15 and great grandmother of five. Joan continues to serve her community in countless ways. For that, Tallahassee is richer.

Lois Haug, 80

Lois Haug retired to Tallahassee in 2002 and soon found herself training at Florida Hospital in Orlando to become a parish nurse for Wildwood Presbyterian Church. "Steadfast" and "faithful" aptly describe her service. As a parish nurse, Lois calls and checks on the sick, visits the bed ridden, and feeds both body and soul. Cake and cookie baking comes as much a part of parish nursing as blood pressure readings and get well cards, lifting the spirits of shut-ins and seniors. She's proud of her role because she says that the job "encompasses a lot." A parish nurse, she explains, gets to know those around her and recognizes when all might not be right.

She takes blood pressures, assists parishioners with their hearing aid devices, and handles the upkeep of the church defibrillator. Lois also coordinates blood drives, assists during elections, bags groceries for Our Father's Storehouse, prays for others and cares for families of the sick or those in grief. She truly embodies the essence of a Silver Star, combining her technical nursing skills with the endless desire to help â€“ changing lives of many grateful people.

Transportation needs, office duties and even recycling, benefit from Lois' volunteer spirit. Her activities also expand beyond the church. For five years, she and a small group of nurses took blood pressure for anyone who showed up on the first Saturday of each month in Frenchtown.

Lois says that her volunteer work is most satisfying because she knows she's doing the Lord's work. She brings a light to our community and shows what a difference a parish nurse can make.

Dr. Roger Owen, 85

The only child of a dentist father and a musician mother, Roger came back from WWII to attend the University of Wisconsin under the G.I. Bill. He received his MSW degree from FSU, with a PhD following from the University of Miami. He rekindled his love affair with Tallahassee after living 35 years in Miami.

With a daughter, seven step-children and seven grandchildren, Roger still finds time to serve on the Senior Services Advisory Council and the Art Council. He was a member of the Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders inaugural class; he held joint responsibility for planning TALL's Art and Culture Day for the next three years. Roger shines as an award winning photographer, an accomplished pianist and a willing volunteer for such worthy groups as Tallahassee Little Theatre and WFSU radio. But, Roger says his life is centered around the Senior Center because it is "a very special place. If you can't find something to do here, you aren't breathing."

Roger is inspired by a quote from Bobby Kennedy, "If not now, when? If not me, who?" The quote pops into his head each time he sees a chance to help. "I just cannot walk by the opportunity." One of his fondest volunteer moments came during Hurricane Andrew when people were not allowed to bring their pets into shelters. Roger joined with a veterinary group that assisted pets found in the storm's aftermath and reunited them with their owners-a great gift for animal and master alike.

"Volunteering is not a 'holiday' or big event. Instead it is an everyday thing," Roger says. As a Silver Star, Rogers thinks he is "in good company."

Dick Saunders, 83

Shortly after retirement from Chrysler Financial, Dick found himself somewhat impatiently checking his watch and waiting for the mail man! After 30 years as an executive with the company, he just didn't know how to be retired.

His extensive repertoire of volunteering first ignited when he read an article in the Tallahassee Democrat about the need for Ombudsmen. Dick trained and began investigating resident complaints at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. From there, he never looked back. He fondly remembers one woman he met at a nursing home. She hadn't spoken for an entire year. The volunteers that day brought in a llama and when the animal approached, the lady looked up and embraced it with joy. Dick says this is the most rewarding thing about volunteering-to see someone who needs it most receive happiness from the actions of others.

He serves as a mediator in small claims court. Through involvement in his church, Dick also became a Steven's Minister, which made him the lay caregiver for care receivers. Other volunteer efforts include his service as a Big Bend Hospice companion/visitor and he rates golf courses for the Florida State Golf Association. Previously, Dick volunteered with the Alzheimer's Respite Program and Guardian ad Litem.

He's been nominated twice for the Tallahassee Democrat's Volunteer of the Year award and was a finalist in 2001; Dick was named volunteer of the year with the Ombudsman program and received the Presidents Volunteer Service Award in 2003.

Dick says thoughtfully, "I have been blessed with good health and will continue to look for ways to help those in need." We say, "Thank you Dick."

Renson Thompson, 71

"Life-changer" fits the Elder Renson Thompson. He's often described that way. His contributions to the community throughout his life, and his drive to help others, seems endless. Serving as the pastor of Little Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Crawfordville for 30 years, he accomplished many missions for groups of all ages. He led the church into a new sanctuary and established several significant ministries including: couples and singles, Men of a Mission, health, and back-on-track ministries.

Renson volunteers at Miracle Village senior community where he preaches and sings in the choir. Always willing to give his time and talents to those in need, Elder Thompson married many couples and continues to counsel them in keeping God first. He often is sought after as a master of leading old hymns. And those who know him well say he lives by the Bible hymn "A Charge to Keep I Have." He tells people he has a charge to keep "and I intend to do so, and hold out until the end."

The pastor says, "My volunteering is simple because I just like people." Being able to make people laugh, to bring joy to their lives, is something of which he is very proud. "I guess I constantly seek to turn frowns into laughter." Instead of complaining about the way things are, Renson believes we should all work to find out how to accomplish change. Renson's desire to help others is genuine, and he truly enjoys the work he does. He says with great certainty that people just want to be heard and that he wants to be the listener.

Beville Vertuno, 74

Bev's passion for language began in her first high school French class. She loved it so much, she decided to teach French herself-and came to Tallahassee's Leon County High School in 1971 to do just that. Time passed and Bev retired. She said "I was surprised to find out how much I missed itâ€¦even though I knew that teachers often have a hard time 'quitting' after retirement." Encouraged by her friends and family, she stopped by the Senior Center to offer her services one day, and the rest is history. Bev is a six-year volunteer and conversational French teacher at the center, customizing instruction to changing groups of adult students.

She was "delighted to find what a pleasure it is, working with my own peer group and how eager my students are to continuously learn." They even asked for homework! Bev enjoys this different kind of teaching-"it is more than a class and learning. It is a fellowship of friends with something in common, the desire to speak French." And what better way to practice their skills than taking a trip to France-which is exactly what Bev, her husband and her French classes do. In fact they just returned from France earlier this month.

Bev knows that language is good for the mind. But she says she gets much more out volunteer teaching than brain exercise. "For me, volunteering comes with good friends, eager learners and just plain fun," she says. Teaching French at the Senior Center has become the highlight of her retirement. She is happy to be part of such a welcoming and well-rounded organization.

Willie Mae Washington, 73

Born and raised in Tallahassee, Willie Mae endeavors to make her city a better place. She believes that each person can help someone. She tells those around her to identify their skills and abilities and put them to good use as a volunteer. Willie Mae remembers the first time she decided to volunteer for Crisis Hotline in 1978. That gave her a new appreciation for the needs in Tallahassee. Giving back to her community became her resolve.

Since then Willie Mae continues to find ways to make a true difference. She genuinely loves helping others and is known among the children in her church for her ability to cook. Willie Mae knows that "everyone needs a good meal" and she loves to serve up just that. The appreciation on children's faces when she cooks up her most famous meal, turkey and yellow rice with blueberry cream cheese cake, makes her light up as bright as the sparkle she sees in the kids eyes. But it doesn't stop with just a good meal. Willie Mae keeps finances for the Church of Christ youth summer camp and occasionally likes to be the camp storyteller.

For the past 10 years, this beautiful lady coordinated purchasing, cooking and serving of a meal to the homeless at the Tallahassee Shelter once each month. She remains active in her church care group which rotates with other care groups to provide shelter meals.

Willie Mae currently serves as president of the Basic Stars' Toastmasters Club, an organization designed to enhance and improve communication and leadership skills.

Both humbled and honored to be a Silver Star, Willie Mae is mom of two and grandmother of five.

Tallahassee Senior Services and the Tallahassee Senior Foundation wish to thank the following sponsors of the 11th Annual Silver Stars Awards.

Galaxy Sponsor - Capital Health Plan

Milky Way Sponsor - Capital Home Health

Starburst Sponsor - Legacy Toyota

Big Dipper Sponsors

Audiology Associates of North Florida
Carroll & Co.
HealthSouth Rehab Hospital
Home Instead Senior Care
Interim HealthCare of NW FL, Inc.
Palmer Eye Center
Sniffen & Spellman, PA
Westminster Oaks Active Living Community

Little Dipper Sponsors

Allegro Independent & Assisted Living
Ann Cleare, Realtor
Burke Physical Therapy
Broadview Assisted Living/Tallahassee Memory Care
Centre Pointe Health & Rehab
Clare Bridge & Sterling House Assisted Living
DQP Copy & Print
Eye Associates of Tallahassee
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.
HarborChase of Tallahassee
Maxim Healthcare Services
NHC Home Care
Pacifica Senior Living, Woodmont
Seven Hills Health & Rehab
TMH Lifeline

North Star Sponsors

Barbara Brand, Dot Carroll, Comfort Keepers, R. W. Hall, Helen Hamm, John Haugabrook, Jenny Craig, Archie and Jan Johnston, Lisa Meyer, Sheila Salyer, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Wellcare

Photo Frenzy

Lunch Bunch Goes to Lunch

Pure Platinum rocked the house at this year's Spring Fling, the kickoff event for Florida's Ambassadors for Aging Day at the Capitol.	Minnie D. Crump, Alberta Duffee, and Gloria J. Sullivan share a table and good times as Pure Platinum entertained.	Glen Howe gives participants their first Pickleball lesson at TSC.
The TSC Lunch Bunch traveled to Wakulla Springs State Park for a boat ride and picnic on a gorgeous day that proved perfect for sunning alligators, numerous species of birds, blooming water plants, and fun loving participants.

The excited park visitors stop long enough for a group photo just prior to boarding the boat and JD Curry takes a closer look at wildlife during the river cruise.
The Best of the Capital City Senior Games
The Capital City Senior Games came complete with superlatives: Most Olympic, most creative, most adventurous, most versatile and most experienced to mention some of games' outstanding characteristics. An underhanded basketball shooter, a 95-year old shot putter, and a lady who made 23 of 30 free throws were among the athletes. The 210 participants ranged in age from 50-95 years old. There were 255 gold medalists, 93 silver medalists and 41 bronze medalists. 2013 Games unconfirmed dates are March 14-18.

Alice Blackhall sings the "Star Spangled Banner" and wows the crowd at the Capital City Senior Games' opening reception.	Owner of Barnacle Bill's, Jeff Stilwell, participates in men's basketball shooting.	At age 47, Tiffany Wilson competed in the sanctioned track and field events to qualify for 2012 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Trials in Indianapolis in June.

Vivian Mitchell competes in the 55-59 age group.	31 cyclists competed in men's and women's events.

(l to r) Anna Johnson of WCTV fame, County Commissioner Bryan Desloge and TSC manager Sheila Salyer meet at the Capital City Senior Games welcome reception.	(l to r) Bob Henderson, City Manager Anita Favors Thompson, and Senior Foundation vice chair Linda Roberts gather at the Senior Games reception.	Jospehine Newton gets into the Road Race.

From the road race to swimming and bowling competition to volunteering at the games, everyone does their personal best!

From the road race to swimming and bowling competition to volunteering at the games, everyone does their personal best!
Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders
"Such to me is the new image of aging: growth in self and service for all mankind." Ethel Percy Andrus' words guide each Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders (TALL) class. Class 5 experienced lots of adventure and occasionally unfamiliar surroundings to find themselves in several educational and even entertaining scenarios.

Following lunch at Allegro Senior Living on Housing Day, Class 5 gathers for an Aging in Place panel dealing with supportive and in-home services, homeowner fraud and how the City helps seniors stay in their homes.	Marjorie Turnbull dresses for the occasion. On Public Safety Day, costumes include straps, buckles, fire retardant outfits, and hats - hard hats.