Celebrating seniors: Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging holds spring extravaganza

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ONTARIO – Thelma Laug came dressed for the occasion.

The Mansfield woman sported period clothing for Wednesday’s Senior Spring Extravaganza, held for the first time at the Ontario Center.

The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging held the event, celebrating seniors with the glitz and glamor of Hollywood’s golden era. The theme was “Flip the script on aging.”

With her beige dress and jewelry, Laug could have been going to a movie premiere.

“It’s fun to dress up. Yesterday, I had on jeans and a T-shirt,” she said.

Laug said she enjoyed getting freebies at the event. A friend of hers who is in the hospital asked Laug to get all the free pens and notebooks she could.

Seniors received those and much more.

“It’s a way to give information and help be proactive with our seniors on where they or their caregivers can turn when they need some help,” said Trae Turner, who is in charge of community living for the District 5 office.

The former Richland Mall was filled with vendors, stakeholders and service providers to help seniors.

But there was also plenty of fun. The event featured a classic car show, entertainment by Randy Velez and a catered lunch.

Extravaganza celebrated Older Americans Month

“It’s a way that we celebrate Older Americans Month,” Turner said. “The whole goal is to have fun, of course.

“We realize that aging is not about decline. It’s really a journey of purpose. It’s about strength and wisdom.”

Marlene Taylor, of Crestline, attended the extravaganza with her sister after a friend who invited her was unable to be there.

“I wanted to see what’s available for the seniors, just to have a good time,” she said.

Taylor looked into her tote bag, revealing a haul of a backscratcher, a flyswatter and a book of crossword puzzles.

“Who can’t use a backscratcher?” she asked.

Asked what led him to attend, Madison Township resident Ron Gieseman pointed to his wife.

“And the car show,” he said.

Steve Allen, of Mansfield, enjoyed ice cream from a food truck while sitting with his vintage car, a sleek, black 2000 Plymouth Prowler with gull-wing doors.

Allen said Plymouth manufactured Prowlers for only five years, from 1997 to 2002. He said there were about 11,000 of them.

Allen’s car features a high-performance engine and a deleted front bumper to make way for a customized grill.

“It’s not a winter car, for sure,” he said. “My wife and I both enjoy going to car shows. I’ve got a Mustang that I take out as well.”

A number of District 5 staff members were on hand, including Randy Hutchinson, the mobility manager. Hutchinson stepped down as Ontario mayor last summer to take his position with the Area Agency on Aging.

“I enjoy it, working with the seniors,” Hutchinson said.

Sporting a top hat and a vest for a period look, he joked that he looked like a banker. Several seniors stopped by his station.

“The biggest thing is keeping seniors mobile, keeping them active,” Hutchinson said. “The socialization is huge.”

Seniors who mention mobility walk at Kingwood Gardens Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on June 10, July 8 and Aug. 12 will get free admission.

Turner said the agency offers many services that people might not be aware of, including a farmers market, transportation, emergency response systems and home-delivered meals.

“People can call us in a time of crisis. We want them to know that,” Turner said, adding walk-ins also are welcome.

The District 5 office is located at 2131 Park Avenue West in Ontario. People can call the direct line at 567-247-6458.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

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