Courtesy Photo Seniors gathered at the Ewen-Trout Creek School for the Ontonagon County Commission on Aging's 48th Annual Senior Festival Wednesday.

EWEN — Approximately 150 senior citizens converged on the Ewen-Trout Creek School Wednesday

Courtesy Photo
Seniors gathered at the Ewen-Trout Creek School for the Ontonagon County Commission on Aging’s 48th Annual Senior Festival Wednesday.

The day began at 10:00 am with registration and seniors then had an option to socialize in the Cafe’toriam with Cinnamon rolls & coffee, proceeds supporting the Ontonagon Co. Cancer Association, and listen to the music of Lightning Ridge (Mike Urbis, Bill Kautto, & Charlie Christiansen).

Another option was to proceed to the Resource Fair in the small gym. More than 25 agencies and organizations signed up to provide information and services ranging from DMV License renewals, disposal of old medications (DUMP), blood pressure screenings, or information of woodland management.

At noon, seniors, staff and vendors gathered in the Cafe’torian for a BBQ Lunch prepared by Jessica Andrus and her aides. Pastor Ted Trudgeon offered the invocation and young helpers served the seniors at their tables. During the program after lunch, Staff member and CFO Nancy Reath spoke to the mission and history of the Commission on Aging. Lee Ann Anderson, a direct care worker, was recognized for 30 years of service in Direct Care. Charles Antoine, age 91, was recognized as the oldest man in attendance, and Jean Erickson, age 94, was presented a certificate as oldest female.

Numerous door prizes, bucket raffles and 50/50 raffles were awarded to participants. A generous cash gift from Norman Pestka Construction, Inc provided special prizes for the 50th Anniversary and effectively paid for all of the participants’ lunches. All-in-all, Senior Fest was a great way to pass a rainy summer day. Much thanks to the OCCoA staff, Joan Harris, Kara Ray and Nancy Reath. for organizing this event for the Senior Citizens of Ontongaon County.

Agencies and Organizations participating in the Resource Fair included;

Copper Shores Community Health Foundation, Sturgul & Long, S.C. law office, Settlers Federal Credit Union, Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), Citizens State Bank, Barga Memorial Hospital, Ontonagon Co. Conservation District, SONCO (absent on call), Michigan Secretary of State mobile office, Upper Michigan Commission for Area Progress, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Ontonagon Sheriff Office DUMP (Discard Unused Medications Promptly) Program and Victim Services. Ontonagon Co Cancer Association, Horizon Home Care, Lac View Desert Health Center, Alzheimer Association, Northwoods Natural Health, Western UP Health Department Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, The St. NIcholas Project of Ontonagon County, MSU Extension and Ontonagon County Commission on Aging/Lake Gogebic Senior Citizens Club Inc

Other businesses and organizations that helped to sponsor or contributed to the event include:

Lake Superior Credit Union, Gogebic Range Bank, Antonio’s Bergland, Big Valley Ford- Ewen, Circle K (formally Holiday) Ontonagon,, Ewen Building Center, G-O Community Action Agency, Hautala Distributing, Jilbert Dairy, UPPCO, U.P. Products, Ontonagon Co. Telephone Co. Ontonagon Herald, Pat’s Foods, Settlers Co-op-Bruce Crossing, Super One Foods of Ironwood, UPCAP – 211, Walmart Super Center, Walmart, Lorraine Fruik, Norman Pestka Construction, Inc. Crossroads Senior Club, Bruce Crossing, Lake Gogebic Recreation Club, Bergland, Ewen-Trout Creek School & Staff.

For more information or to participate in upcoming events, contact: Ontonagon County Commission on Aging, Lake Gogebic Senior Center, 109 Pine St., Bergland, MI 49910, Phone: (906) 575-3461.