SIDNEY — Ethyl Beam, of Sidney, was named Shelby County’s 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizen during annual ceremonies at the Senior Center Tuesday.
More than 200 people attended the luncheon, served by members of the seventh-grade class at Holy Angels.
Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst proclaimed Tuesday Senior Citizen Day in Sidney.
“May is set aside as Older Americans Month. We celebrate the contributions and the lives of our Golden Buckeyes. Persons 65 and older represent more than 12 percent of Sidney’s population. Older adults are trailblazers,” Barhorst read from the proclamation. “We appreciate all you do in the community. We can best demonstrate our gratitude by making sure Sidney is a good place in which to mature and grow older. There is an unprecedented opportunity to harness the talents of those aged 65-plus to address community challenges.”
During welcoming remarks, Wiseman noted that “We are a powerful group. Don’t (anger us),” she teased.
Evelyn Axt, community services coordinator of the Area Agency on Aging, PSA-2, told attendees that the agency is a resource for information and assistance.
“Explore ways to maintain or improve your health and well-being and encourage others in the community to do the same,” she urged.
Last year’s Outstanding Senior Citizen, Joan Covelli, presented the award to Beam, who had been nominated by Agape Distribution.
“I don’t do what I do for recognition,” Beam said. She was honored not only for her 10 years of volunteering at Agape, where she stocks shelves, cleans and takes on any tasks that need to be done, but also for a progam she established and runs alone at Northtown church of God. Embracing Grace supplies clothing and other needed items to unwed mothers and their children.
“She gives mucha nd never asked for anyting in return. She is kind hearted and very passionate about everything she does,” Axt said in announcing the award.
Shelby County Commissioners Bob Guillozet, Tony Bornhorst and Julie Ehemann recognized the other nominees: Edward Borchers, nomnated by Joan Covelli; Connie Buillozet, nominated by Dr. Eugene Cordonnier; Shelia Nuss, nominated by Dr. Molly Helmlinger; and Stephen Schroeder, nominated by the Senior Center.
The 2016 Community Service Award went to the Ron & Nita’s. It was presented by event chairwoman Nuss to owner Juanita McCrum.
“Nita has been an advocate for our downtown and our connunity,” Nuss said, noting that McCrum contributes to the downtown Easter egg hunt, distributes treats in costume at the store for Halloween, donated the funds for Christmas lights that are hung around the courtsquare, and decorates her store windows for Christmas with animated displays.
“We are so proud that Nita is part of our Sidney/Shelby County community,” Nuss said.
This year’s Senior Day theme was “Aging: It’s Everybody’s Business.” The Rev. Frank Amberger, of Holy Angels Catholic Church, gave the invocation. The meal was prepared by the Sidney Care Center, and the Senior Center Singers performed before door prizes were awarded and bingo games were enjoyed.
Nuss’s event committee comprised Jill Bradley, Robin Burleson, Adrienne Fortkamp, Marianne Helmlinger, Molly Helmlinger, Stefanie Hale, Betty Hughes, Hallie Hurley, Jenny Huelskamp, Rachel Hale, Pam Martin, Darla Wilges, Vernice Wilson and Wiseman.
