SeniorCare Inc. celebrated its 40th anniversary Thursday. As part of the festivities, a private employee recognition breakfast took place in the morning at SeniorCare, followed by its Annual Meeting, held in the evening at The Gloucester House Restaurant.
Among those honored during the evening was a Gloucester man, described by the person who nominated him as “selfless” in giving his time and talent to others.
A special Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Roger Corbin of Gloucester. He cared for an elder neighbor who had no family nearby by shopping, taking her to appointments, and assisting with many other tasks, keeping her in her home longer than would otherwise have been possible.
He’s been an active Rotarian in Gloucester, seemingly always among the “pancake flippers” at the annual Pancake Breakfast. Several nonprofit groups, including RSVP Volunteers of the North Shore (sponsored by SeniorCare), benefit from the proceeds of that event. Roger also contributes in various ways t
o The Open Door food pantry and Pathways for Children, and generally buys a block of tickets for SeniorCare’s Meals on Wheels Valentine Breakfast and Lobsta Land Breakfast, giving them to other seniors in the community, so that they can enjoy a hearty breakfast out.
Attendees also look forward, each year, to the announcement of two prestigious community awards. The Myra L. Herrick Outstanding Older American Award went to Ron Graves, of Ipswich, who was recognized for his many contributions. Ron, a retired U.S. Navy master chief, has been a volunteer driver, taught computer skills to seniors and assisted them with cable TV hookups. He is also a past member of the board of SeniorCare, and past chairman of its Nominating Committee.
The Rosemary Kerry Community Service Award was given to Lucy Potter, also of Ipswich, who taught in that community’s schools for nearly 25 years. She is a highly active member of the Ipswich Dinner Bell planning group (Dinner Bell serves free meals to anyone in need on Monday evenings), her church (Ascension Memorial) and other community activities. Lucy is a cheerful contributor and accepts many challenges that would tire a volunteer 20 years her junior. We’re told that she has a photo of herself on her Facebook page swimming with dolphins when she was 83! That’s how most of us wish we would be as seniors. Lucy is a role model for everyone.
The invocation was delivered by Glenn Pre
scott, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ipswich, who is also a member of Ipswich Rotary, president of the Board of the Dinner Bell, and a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program operated by SeniorCare.
The keynote address was delivered by Cynthia A. Lemere, Ph.D., associate professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; and scientist at the Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Dr. Lemere’s research focuses on translating basic science in the lab into disease-modifying therapies for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
SeniorCare President Tom Tanous surprised outgoing Executive Director Kay Bierwiler, who is generally very reti
cent about accepting any public accolades, with the board’s thanks for her years of service to SeniorCare. He noted the changes the agency has been through and expressed hope that seniors in the nine communities SeniorCare serves can look forward to many more years of having consumer-centered, community-based services available to help them remain independent in their homes or the settings in which they choose to live.
Anne Springer is the public relations director of SeniorCare Inc., Cape Ann’s local area agency on aging. To reach SeniorCare, call 978-281-1750.
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