GREENVILLE – Darke County Senior Outreach has been in existence since 2015, and hosted another annual dinner on Wednesday at Romer’s Catering in Greenville.
‘Many faces have changed over the years but the vision has always been the same…to have a fully functioning Senior Center in Darke County,” said President Debbie Nestor Baker of Ayden Health Care as she spoke to a crowd of an estimated 200 people.
“Darke County is one of eight counties in the state of Ohio (out of 88 counties) that does not have a fully operating Senior Center, meaning events that are going on all day for seniors in our community, along with congregate meal space for seniors to come and enjoy. Our hopes are to change that over the next year or so. With the support of Darke County citizens, businesses, and Darke County commissioners and city mayors/councils, we hope to make this happen in Darke County. Our hopes are to have events going on all day Monday through Friday.”
She extended appreciation to her fellow committee members and co-workers who made this event possible.
The day’s event was provided by Darke County Senior Outreach.
The executive committee serving with Baker consists of Pam Bowman (treasurer) from Comprehensive Health Network, Ashlynn Beisner (secretary) from EverHeart Hospice, and Jackie McEldowney (vice president) from Versailles Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
The other committee members are Marsha Murphy from Rest Haven, Ethan Fee from Everheart Hospice, Deloris Eley from Greenville City Council, Heather Stith from Community Action Partnership, Holly Wedham from Village Green Health Campus and Wally Wollenhaupt, a senior wanting to make a difference in Darke County.
One of the highlights of the meeting was when Carol Littman was selected the Darke County Senior of the Year, who Baker has said has given back to Darke County residents so much over the years.
In presenting the award, Community Action Partnership’s own Heather Stith stated, “Born on May 25, 1954, Carol Jean Littman has played an integral role in helping homeless and low-income families of Darke County. Graduating from the class of 1972 from Eaton High School, she has been a resident of Darke County for over 40 years. Carol has been employed with Miami Valley Community Action Partnership of Darke County since Oct. 1, 2001. There, she has taken part in the Shared Harvest food pantry, and the homeless shelter, and she has played an important role in Metropolitan housing, aiding in state HEAP/PIPP programs, the Toys for Tots Christmas program, emergency food/shelter programs and everything and anything in between. Carol plays a pivotal role in our agency, making several situations easier on not only the customers in the community that we see but also the staff. She radiates happiness.”
Littman, who was seated in the room with family members, was presented gifts from committee members.
Baker also recognized Verah Barberine who was instrumental in getting this program organized in Darke County.
“We had a meeting before COVID and couldn’t do anything for three years,” Barberine said. “Now, there is line dancing and we started a game day on Tuesdays at the Birchwood Training and Senior Center at 5844 Jaysville-St. Johns Road.”
Featured weekly at the center are line dancing at 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, game day at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, and a matinee movie on the first Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. in the Birchwood Training Room. Popcorn is available at the latter.
Games, it was pointed out, include euchre, Hand and Foot, Tripoli and SkipBo.
It was also noted that there will be a Halloween Dance in the Birchwood training room on Oct. 26, with the time to be determined.
The Darke County Senior Line Dancers then performed for the crowd.
Flyers distributed at the meal also informed those in attendance that the Darke County Senior Outreach Senior Town Hall meeting is set for 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Birchwood Training and Senior Center. Those who attend that gathering are asked to bring ideas, suggestions and the willingness to serve. Light refreshments will be provided.
The day before, Wednesday, has been dubbed Senior Citizen Day Downtown for those 60 and older at Wayne Theatre at 2 p.m., at a cost of $3. The featured movie will be “A Man Called Otto.”
It was also reported that Darke County Senior Outreach presents free matinee movies for seniors 55 and older on the first Thursday of every month at 1 pm. at the Birchwood Senior Center.
