Senior Center celebrates in royal purple
Published 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 17, 2001
“Hannah Shafaat, in back, president of the South Whidbey High School Key Club, congratulates seniors (from left) Leona Burnham (winner of a prize), Frances Mott and Phyllis Henney, who took part in a gala luncheon event at the Bayview Senior Center honoring elder citizens age 80 and over.Photos by Margaret ScehovicThe Senior Center dining room looked regal on Wednesday for a luncheon celebrating courageous and venerable seniors 80 years of age and over.With few exceptions, the 120 guests wore items of purple with a scattering of bright red hats. A hand count revealed that 15 attendees were 90-plus years old; 25 were 85-90; and the 80- to 85-year-olds too numerous to count.The theme of the festivities was the poem by Jenny Joseph that has made its way around the world: When I Am An Old Woman. The poem begins, I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me. The poem concludes with the urging of respectability and practicality now, but suggests practicing other activities for the time of purple.The guests were asked by master of ceremonies Margaret Scehovic, activity director, to write down the things they ought to practice, using the purple paper provided at the tables. The answers were revealing and often humorous: Talking more, going to more parties, participating in the fast life, soloing on my kazoo, sexy walking, speaking Italian, living for the future, drinking lots of water and pottying.Agreement was unanimous that once the plateau of 80 years has been reached, birthdays should be publicly announced and celebrated with great gusto every year.Awards for the most outrageously purple outfits were given, with Leona Burnham winning the honor of best display of purple for her purple pantsuit and large purple hat with lavender flowers. Erma Schoonover won a prize for her purple dress, long red gloves and bright red hat. They both practiced sexy walking’ on the way to receive their prizes, and the numerous gentlemen present practiced whistling.Typical of the many present wearing purple were Maxine Barrett, 83, and Beth Gannon, 91. Maxine participated in numerous center activities until she broke her hip playing basketball — shoes were too slippery, she said. Beth was a dietitian at Swedish Hospital for 26 years and did a great of deal of traveling. She still does her own gardening and manages life on her own. They were brought to the luncheon by their young friends, Jenny Grieswood and Paula Ohime. The South Whidbey High School Service Key Club decorated the dining room and assisted at the luncheon, with Lucy Dauman and Hannah Shafaat doing food preparation and serving. The Key Club is sponsored by Kiwanis, and its members are involved in numerous projects to benefit the schools and the community. “
