June is Senior Month and a special time to recognize their contribution to society past, present and future. The Bay St. George Coalition to End Violence, in partnership with the Stephenville Lions Club hosted a Seniors Kitchen Party on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
70 self-identified seniors enjoyed a fun, interactive and educational day accommodated by a delicious hot meal provided by the Lions Club and many take-home resources.
Several dignitaries including MHA Scott Reid, Stephenville Town Councillor Laura Alyward and St
ephen Wheeler, MHA John Finn’s assistant, brought greetings and wished all in attendance a great day and a sincere thank you for all that each has given to our community.
Following, Bernice Hancock and Janice Kennedy conducted an hour long info session on Respect Aging, offering safety tips. Attendees were invited to peruse 
and engage in conversation with the 11 information displays on hand detailing several organizations’ services that seniors can avail of in our community and surrounding areas.
Rotarian Joan Shea delivered an informative keynote on a new program to be delivered in this area come the fall. File of Life is a program to assist first-responders and hospital personnel in delivering appropriate and vital care in a life-threatening emergency.
Many got to relive a fun time in their lives when they could “cut a rug” and do the Jive. Valentina Nola
n, of the BSG YMCA got hearts beating and blood pumping with some upbeat music and matched the moves to it. Of course, you can’t work for the YMCA and not take a few moments for the Village People’s rendition of the famous “YMCA.”
A special thank you to Flashpoint, Lloyd Swyers and Francie Downey, who entertained the patrons and provided toe tapping, boot scooting and hand-clapping music…many enjoyed dancing a jig, even if at 84 “I can’t move like I use to'” as one lady said as she came off the dance floor.
For many the Seniors Kitchen Party is an opportunity to socialize and meet new friends or catch up with ones they haven’t seen in a while. For others this was a first time and will be sure to return. Whether a newcomer or a regular all agreed it was “great fun with lots of useful information.”
For more pictures of the day’s activities check out our Facebook page.