Local Seniors citizens enjoy a day at the fair tailored to them

[August 06, 2024]   Friday morning at the fair started off with cooler temperatures and cloudy skies. It would warm up later it the day, but it would make little difference for those who were gathered in the Lincoln Stage area for the annual Senior Day event.

The Oasis Senior Center in Lincoln was the lead organizer for the special day for local senior citizens. Those also pitching in for the event included Lincoln Village Healthcare Center, Castle Manor., St. Clara's Rehab and Senior Care, Vonderleith, The Villas, Gentiva Hospice and Synergy HomeCare.

Three activities were planned for the morning; Fitness Class, Bingo and Barbershop Quartets.

Georgia Allison was Silver Fox Fitness trainer leading folks in safe senior fitness exercises to strengthen and tone, increase range of motion and balance. She holds classes throughout the week in the area because of her passion for seniors.

Here's a typical week for her:

Oasis Senior Center - Monday. 3 p.m. & 4 p.m. and Thursday at 4 p.m.

The Christian Village – Monday and Friday at 10 a.m.

YMCA – Thursday at 10 a.m. and in conjunction with the Y she does aqua fitness at the pool in at the Quality Inn in Lincoln on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 1 p.m.

The second senior activity for seniors was bingo. Krista Miller from the Oasis assisted Ernie Harvey from Gentiva Hospice in running the games.

The long table with lots of wonderful prizes was spread across the front of the stage for bingo winners to come up and choose. This event is always well attended because it is a great place to catch up with friends and have a good time making sweet memories.

The third event had two barbershop quartets entertaining fairgoers with good ole days tunes and swoons. The two quartets were FORG (four old retired guys) and Rt. 66 which performed some songs together as an eightsome.

The first quartet was the FORG men with John /Riggs from Springfield singing tenor, Dan Hurst also from Springfield was the lead, Roger Fairchild of Rochester was the bass and Tom Smith from Springfield was the baritone. Some of the most familiar quartet songs they performed were: Sweet Adeline, He's Got the Whole World In His Hand, Let there be peace on the earth, America the Beautiful.

The second quartet was Rt.66 with Lincolnite Gary Davis singing tenor, Bruce Strom from Springfield was lead, Bruce Wilcox from Illiopolis sang bass and Jeff Cooch from Springfield was baritone. Some of their songs were: By the Old Mill Stream, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Sentimental Journey, and San Francisco Bay Blues.

[Karen Castelein]