In celebration of Senior Citizen Day — and to honor the older residents of the area — the Logan County Council on Aging (COA) presented awards to four exemplary community members, starting with the 2023 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year. The annual luncheon took place Thursday, May 18, at the Friendly Senior Center in Bellefontaine.
Organized and hosted by Pat Depasquale, chairman of COA, and Rachel Bartley, vice-chair, attendees enjoyed music from the Mad River Valley Dulcimer Society and a lunch from Lee’s Chicken.
This was COA’s first time holding the event at the senior center and Depasquale was pleased with how that worked out.
“It used to be at the Church of God, and we charged $5 a person,” she said. “We now wish to make it free to every senior in Logan County. If we could have it at the senior center every year, that would be wonderful.”
Named 2023 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year, Kenneth Hostetler was introduced by Kelsey Haus from the Dayton Area Agency on Aging, region 2. She noted his years of service with Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels.
Kay Daugherty and Sue Clem, Logan County representatives for the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, recognized JoAnne Jones and Elizabeth Wilcoxon. Jones has a history of donating to organizations like Caring Kitchen and domestic violence shelters while Wilcoxon has volunteered at Our Daily Bread, Bellefontaine, since 2005.
All three recipients are lifelong residents of Logan County.
Carol Hartley accepted the last award on behalf of Emerson Brown, who was out of town. Brown moved to the area in 1958, served as principal then superintendent of the West Liberty-Salem school district until 1984, and was president of the Logan County Retired Teachers Association for several years.
While the presentation was going on inside, volunteers with the COA were in the parking lot handing out a free lunch to any senior citizen who came by the Friendly Senior Center on Thursday. The COA purchased 350 lunches, handed out over 275, then gave 60 to Our Daily Bread.
Next up, the COA is preparing for Senior Day at the Logan County Fair on July 11. This will include breakfast, lunch and an ice cream social for all senior citizens.