Publishedby

TheLebanonDe

mocrat

2013

EDITION OURHOME

50+

Ms. Senior Tennessee2012 Pat Baxter

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OUR HOME

50+2013

4th EditionPublished by

The Lebanon Democrat402 N. Cumberland StreetLebanon, Tennessee

PublisherJoseph H. Adams

Managing EditorJared Felkins

Advertising DirectorRoger Wells

Art DirectorMark Rodgers

Assistant Graphic DesignersJina BostickPam Wingett

Writers

Laurie EverettBonnie BucyKimberly JordanMary E. Hinds

Our Home 50 Plus,published annually byThe Lebanon Democrat,is distributed through the

circulation of The Lebanon Democrat,a newspaper with a readershipof more than 39,000 daily,the Lebanon-Wilson CountyChamber of Commerce,

the Wilson County Joint Economic and Com-munity Development Board, and Middle Tennessee ElectricMembership Cooperative.

The magazine is also provided toparticipating advertisers and isplaced in local businesses and

professional offices.

Late bloomers fulfill dreams and blossom ................................................................2

Activities for Seniors ................................................................................................6

Is the Nest Really Ever Empty? ..........................................................................10

Make a Difference in Your Community ..............................................................11

2 O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3

“Age is an issue of mind over matter.If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”

— Mark Twain

"IF I ONLY KNEWTHENWHAT I KNOWNOW,"is a phrase people oftenmurmur when they've hadan epiphany on life.

There's some satisfaction gained when peo-ple realize all the angst in their teens, life lessonsin their 20s, and parenting and business pitfallsin their 30s and 40s actually do have a purpose.

Five-plus decades of "doing life" with all its upsand downs equip people with wisdom, experienceand insight. It shouldn't be surprising to hear thosein their 50s say, "I still don't know what I want to be

Martha Nelson published her first novel after she retired. SUBMITTED PHOTO

STORY BY Laurie Everett

Late bloomersfulfill dreamsand blossom

BECOMINGVINTAGE

O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3 3

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Whether you are looking for someone to help an aging parenta few hours a week or need more comprehensive assistance

Home Instead Senior Care in Wilson County can help.

Call for a free, no-obligation appointment:615.553.4297

Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independentlyowned and operated. © 2009 Home Instead, Inc.

when I grow up."Success knows no age boundaries.

Middle-aged dogs can learn newtricks, and when people come intotheir own in their 50s, many reinventthemselves and become seriously suc-cessful. At about the age of 50 peopleare more self-aware, have greater con-fidence and are not afraid to putthemselves first and revive early pas-sions and dreams.

There are many stories about peo-ple over the age of 50 who found greatsuccess. The most famous and wellknown is Harlin David Sanders, akaCol. Sanders, who was 65 years oldwhen he started Kentucky FriedChicken. Other well known peoplewho found their "calling" later in lifeare famous writer Laura IngallsWilder, painter Grandma Moses,McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, for-mer South Africa president NelsonMandela, chef Julia Child and poetMaya Angelou.

"Late bloomers may be unclearabout their career paths when young,but they go on to either discover theirtalents later in life or finally take achance on pursuing an old dream,"said Janet Cranford in an article on

the subject.Alfred Hitchcock directed his best

films between 54-61. Sister MarionIrvine started to run at age 47. She wassmoking two packs of cigarettes a dayand overweight. She went on to qualifyfor the Olympic marathon trials at 54,according to Cranford. She said manylate bloomers live to be quite old.

"Could it be that pursuing yourpassions later in life is also good for

your health and longevity?" she said.Mt. Juliet’s Del Webb resident

Martha Nelson literally started a newchapter in her life when she retiredafter 40 years from a variety of suc-cessful career steps. She was in themedia profession for 15 years and gotburned out. She then became a com-munications director.

"I knew I would never get that goldwatch," she said. "I love to grow in dif-

4 O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3

ferent directions. I was always looking to do the next thing."When she moved to Tennessee 25 years ago, she became

the head of school for St. Paul Christian School and later went"back home to New York" after her marriage dissolved. Shewent on to delve inmarketing and development. A "long learn-er" and not one to sit still were two threads that ran throughher life. She married Mark Nelson in 2004, and now they livein Del Webb.

"I always written, and always knew I wanted to write a book,"she said.

She tried twice and said it was "junk." She knew when thetime was right, she'd be ready.

"My husband said, 'you are 64; you better get going,'" saidNelson.

Her first novel, "Black Chokeberry" – chokeberrys are ahardy fruit, much like her characters, three women all over theage of 50 – was published last April.

She's started a new project."I know when we retire we think we'll sleep late in the

mornings, travel," she said. "We need to tap into those dreams.Now is the time to do it. It's important to keep yourmind busy.Sometimes retirees' lives are entrenched in routine."

She said people need to "break out and dare to embracechange."

"People can rediscover themselves," she said. "I neverthought of trying to be famous, but rather thought of beingfulfilled."

Pat Baxter, 2012 Ms. Senior Tennessee, learned to singafter she retired and used that talent to gain her title. She wonMs. Wilson County Senior America in 2011, and before she

Ms. Senior Tennessee 2012 Pat Baxter learned to sing after sheretired and used this talent to clinch her title. SUBMITTED PHOTO

O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3 5

knew it captured the state title in2012.

"I don't call it growing older; Icall it growing vintage," she said."It's a lot of fun to accept change,and be willing to try new things. Isay throw caution to the wind andstep out of your comfort zone."

Baxter said reinventing one’sself is similar to stepping into acold swimming pool.

"It's cold at first when you stepin, but you grit your teeth andmove around a bit," she said. "It'sgets warmer and nicer. We all havetalents. They don't have to beovert."

Baxter also painted her firstcanvas when she was in her 50s.

"You must be present to win inlife," she said. "You have to beengaged to be fulfilled. Life is soexciting if you are interested inother people and not yourself."

She said when people getolder, they need to "push the wallsout, not draw them in and makeyour world smaller."

"Let's push those walls out,”she said. 50+

Tips for latebloomers+ Be strong and aware ofyour strengths.

+ Be creative in overcoming obstaclesand don’t let lack of money,discrimination or age come betweendreams.

+ Invest time in building friendships.

+ Be honest with yourself. Ask your-self, “What am I doing that I want tostop? What am I not doing that Iwant to begin?”

+ Remember nothing you do istiresome. It may sound daunting togo to medical school at 46, or jointhe Peace Corps at 65, but this isn’texhausting, it’s exhilarating.

+ Help other late bloomers find theirpath in life.

+ Learn a sense of humor. Laughoften, especially at yourself. A goodlaugh can ease the anxiety ofrisk-taking.

Source: Wikihow.com

HARLANDSANDERSChicken mogul Harland Sanders, also known asColonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chickendidn’t open his first fried chicken restaurant until hewas 65. He had a popular restaurant and motel inCorbin, Ky., but an interstate opened near his restau-rant, and there was a marked downturn in business.He didn’t give up. He invented his secret spice blendand fast-cook chicken method in 1952. He soon soldfranchises, and the rest is history. Back in 1964, hesold his business for $2 million when there weremore than 900 franchises.

RAYKROCMcDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was a milkshakemachine salesman when he was 52 years old in1954. One day he saw a hamburger stand in SanBernadino, Calif. and instead of selling his machineto the McDonald brothers, he bought the joint. Krocessentially jumpstarted the fast-food business. In1960, he had more than 200 McDonald’s franchis-es in the states. He made his money when hestarted the Franchise Realty Corp., which boughtproperty and leased to it franchisees. He thenexpanded across the world in the 1970s. He endedup with $500 million in assets.

LAURA INGALLSWILDERThe classic “Little House on the Prairie” series ofbooks was written by Wilder when she was 65years and older. She became a journalist in her 40s.The first book was published when she was 65. It isone of the most beloved series for children known.

GRANDMAMOSESIt was arthritis that prompted Anna Mary RobertsonMoses to pick up a paint brush. She loved to embroi-der, but arthritis crept in, and she could no longerhold a small needle. She turned to a paintbrush. Shewas 76 years old when she painted her first canvasin the mid 1930s. Today she is known as one of themost famous American folk artists. After her firstpainting she painted another 25 years. She was ableto witness her paintings sell for over $10,000 each.They sell for much more today.

Sources: Wikipedia and Ethen Trex Mental Floss

SUCCESSFULLATE BLOOMERS

6 O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3

SENIORACTIVITIES

THERE’S NO NEED TO GET UP AND DRESSEDfor work. Nothing is a demand to be at a certainplace at a certain time. Golf or tennis can be only beplayed so many times a week, and then either stami-na or money runs out.

How to fill at least those 40 hours a week usuallyput into work becomes the question. What can bedone to stay active, socialize with other people so thetongue and mind stay sharp enough to carry on aconversation and to physically and mentally stay inshape. Well, in Lebanon and Wilson County, themeans to do all these things are readily available.

Of course, exercise should be a necessity at alltimes, but too many times we only think of it as ameans to recuperate from an illness or injury. TheJimmy Floyd Family Center and Sports Village offerall means of exercise from walking indoor or out-door tracks to using enhancing machines to seniorracquetball and shooting hoops to water aerobicsand aquatics.

Both centers offer the Silver Sneakers program,which most Medicare packages cover.

“Participants can come and work on their own oras part of a class,” said AnitaWhitfield with the Jimmy

STORY / PHOTOS BY Bonnie BucyRetirement age hits and suddenlylife isn't on a structured level anymore.

O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3 7

Best of Living atSouthern Manor Living Center

For more informationcall 615-443-7929 or drop in

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Come discover a neighborhood where the best years are yet to be lived. Come join us at Southern Manor

Living Center. Call Jennifer Bradshaw for a tour. Ask about our special.

We Offer:RN & LPN’s on duty • Social Events • Nutritious Meals

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Floyd Center. “We have lower impact classes at 10:45a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, butanyone can join in any activity they are physicallyable to do, including water aerobics. We have four-month, six-month and one-year plans, dependingon whether you live inside the city limits or outside.Or, you can pay $3 per day to use the facilities.”

Jan Rubins at Sports Village said it offers the fullSilver Sneakers program and water aerobics.

“We are offering four classes a week in water aer-obics and one of our instructors is arthritis certifiedto teach it,” said Rubin. “We also offer a new groupclass called Bokowa, which involves stepping out let-ters and numbers instead of the harder impact stepsused in other dance routines. We also have Zumba,where we work with glow-in-the-dark tambourinesand Yoga and Piloxing, which combines Pilates andboxing. A lot of over-50-age people are taking it.”

Rubin said three-month summer membershipsare now sold for those who don't want to be tied upfor a year. There is also a medical membership witha prescription from a doctor available from $129 forthree months.

Lebanon has a great walking/jogging trail at theDon Fox Park. The level oval track that runs aroundthe park section itself is one mile. The additional path thatmeanders along the creek for a pleasant run or walk is twomiles up and back or if you make it once around all of thetrail; it's a total of three miles. Also, try parking in spots far-ther away from the store door so you are required to walk

a distance to get inside the store you're visiting. Or, take thestairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

The most diversified and interesting place for seniors isthe Lebanon Senior Citizens Center. Want to learn to playthe guitar or dulcimer, use the computer, line dance, learn

Mary Hardin and Neville Triplett found love at 90 and 78,respectively, in the most unusual place and time in life.

8 O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3

about wills and estate planning, getmedical tips on various problems,learn to paint, borrow a book from thecenter’s library, get your blood pres-sure checked on a regular basis, havepeople to play cards or other gameswith, take a day long or long distancetrip or get great food to eat at very rea-sonable prices? Go to the SeniorCitizens' Center.

“We have something going on allthe time here,” said Teresa Botts, assis-tant director and activity director. “Asyou can see, today is one of our dancedays and you see what a crowd we havehere to dance to and be entertained by68-year-old Bill Feathers, who comesonce amonth. Just before that, we hadabout 250 here for lunch at $3 a head.I do at least one shopping trip amonthto various malls, and we do other typeday trips. We have six pool tables herethat are ready at all times for play, exer-cise equipment to be used and Bingoseveral times a week.

“We always have members in hereplaying Spades, Bridge, Rook, Hand toTrot, Pinochle, Euchre, Scrabble andDominoes. We have wonderful peoplelike 85-year-old Opal Lowe, who canstill buck dance or clog her way all theway through “Rocky Top” or whateverpolka they happen to be playing. Wejust had our annual Country Breakfastand Flea Market, took a trip on theGeneral Jackson and toured BelleMeade Plantation as part ofMay's activ-ities. On June 25, we will be taking aday trip to Crossville to see Dolly Par-ton's “9 to 5” play, which includesbrunch at the Cracker Barrel.”

The center also has a group of quil-ters and craft people, who makebeautiful creations and then turnaround and use them to raise funds forother projects. There are constantclasses and mini seminars on health,financial, legal, nutrition, insuranceand Medicare, veterans services andsenior-life options.

The Senior Citizens Center costs$25 a year to belong. Except for trips,meals and supplies for such classes asoil painting, all its services are free tomembers. Members of the center alsohave water aerobic and exercise rightsat the Jimmy Floyd Center.

Another thing that's become pop-ular for seniors to do is volunteer forchoirs or musical groups and then gowith those groups to entertain otherseniors. For instance, there are theEchoes and the Joy Singers or the Dul-cimer Band.

“I was at Elmcroft one day when I

heard the Echoes sing for the patientsthere,” said Wilma Duke, a formerLebanon businesswoman who is nownear 80 and in pain from fibromyalgiaand other problems. “They sounded sowonderful that I just went up to themand asked if I could join them. Theytoldme to talk toHelen Brithauer, andshe welcomed me with open arms, noauditioning or anything. She hadpicked up the reins of the Echoeswhen their founders, Cordell andNinaReed, died. They practice once amonth at Elmwood and then performat various nursing homes, etc. I love itbecause when I'm singing, I forget mypain. They are very laid back and sonice to work with. J.D. Carr, a 92-year-old trombone player, is part of ourgroup.”

Check with the Senior Center orElmcroft about a contact point ongroups that do this. Call HelenBrithauer regarding the Echoes or thedulcimer band at 615-547-0381. Thereare such groups out there that includewashboard players and other interest-ing combinations, too many to list.

Swimming is always good exercisefor oldsters, as well as youngsters.There are at least four pools inLebanon that are available under cer-tain conditions for public use plus themany individual pools that could be setup for group sessions. These includeboth of the centers alreadymentioned,the Lebanon Golf & Country Clubwith its saltwater pool, Five Oaks andthe Coles Ferry Swim Club, which is amembership club, as well. Or, makearrangements to meet at a certain per-son's house and form a “waterexercise” club.

The nice thing about the JimmyFloyd Center and Sports Village is theyhave indoor and outdoor pools so nomatter what the weather outside, youcan get your workout in.

Or, take exercise and turn it into afamily project. The other day, LindaGaskey, 63, was at the indoor pool atthe Jimmy Floyd Center with her 4-year-old granddaughter, Eva Lindsey.She was working diligently to makesure little Eva was having fun plus waslearning to swim at the same time.

Bill Feathers, 68, comes to the Lebanon Senior Citizens Center once a month toplay for the crowd to dance and/or listen. He's a favorite with the crowd.

O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3 9

LEBANON SENIOR CITIZENS CENTERCome join your friends for good food, games,

classes, trips, fellowship and much more!

We Care670 Coles Ferry Pike • Lebanon, TN

615-449-4600 • Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy

“I live in Knoxville at the present time and come into stay with my granddaughters, Eva and Kaitlyn, 13, tohelp my daughter out. As soon as our house closes inKnoxville, my husband and I will be moving toLebanon to be closer to my family so I can take care ofmy grand children for her,” said Gaskey, “and if youwant exercise, try keeping up with a 4 year old all day,every day.Wemake the pool a stop at least once a week.I think it's a great way to keep me young and active; itkeeps the kids within the family and it definitely helpsmy daughter, Brandi Lindsey, who teaches nursing atMiddle Tennessee State University and owns Wildber-ry Catering in Lebanon. It's a win-win situation.”

Besides the dances and dance lessons several timesa month at the Senior Center, check out other studiosthat may teach dance. It's a good source of exercise.Also remember travel trips, especially those designedfor seniors like the ones through the Senior Centerand through the Gold Club (over 50) at Wilson Bankand Trust that keep you moving but look out for youat the same time.

One more bit of advice, don't give up trying to stayactive even if your circumstance means you have to gointo an assisted living facility. Mary Hardin, now 78,came from Missouri to live at Elmcroft a year ago lastSeptember because she had family here and they want-ed her to be close to them. She had been widowedthree years earlier.

“I was so sick, I just wanted to die,” said Hardin. “Asfar as I was concerned, I was dead.”

Neville Triplett, who turned 90March 29, had livedin Flora, Miss., all his life and was at death's door whenhis daughter and her husband, Becky and MarionBrown, who lived in Lebanon, brought him to Elmcroftlast July so he could be close to them. Triplett had beena widower for 21 years and said he was as good as deadwhen he entered Elmcroft.

“I'd been married nearly 50 years when my wifedied, and I never thought I'd find love again, althoughI don't believe you ever get too old for love,” saidTriplett. “I'd had a girlfriend along the way, after mywife died, but there was always something missing.

Moving past what both Hardin and Triplett consid-ered “predestinedmoves,” they finallymet one anotherand almost immediately fell in love.

“They've been like watching a couple of teenagersin love,” laughed Becky Brown. “They can't keep theirhands off one another. They watch movies togetherevery evening. One day, shortly after they'd gottentogether, dad was worried because he hadn't heardback fromher.We reminded him to give her some timebecause he'd only known her a couple of days. Hepromptly informed us he didn't have thatmuch time atage 90, and he didn't want to waste a minute of it.”

“He is so sweet and romantic. He leaves me noteson my door. I never had that before,” said Hardin. “Iwas dead before he came along, and now he'smademewant to live again. I think he is so cute and sexy.”

Love is in the air for Triplett and Hardin.So, seniors, stay active because you never know who

you'll meet when in love or catching that brass ring.For more information on the Jimmy Floyd Family

Center, call 615-453-4545; for Sports Village call 615-449-0031 or the Senior Citizens Center, call615-449-4600. 50+

When Opal Lowe, 85, isn't buck dancing/clogging to ‘Rocky Top’ ordoing the polka, she's dancing to whatever else is played.

1 0 O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3

Is theNest EverReallyEmpty?

MANY PARENTS EXPERIENCE SADNESSwhen their children leave home to pursuecollege, careers or get married.

This is commonly called “empty nest syn-drome,” and can affect both women and men.According to Wikipedia, empty nest syndromeis a feeling of grief and loneliness parents orguardians may feel when their children leavehome for the first time. It is not a clinical con-dition.

However, there are some parents out therewho never really become “empty nesters.”

Pam Peery, an employee at the WilsonCounty schools central office, confessed shenever really was an empty nester, and now sheis experiencing just the reverse. Her childrenmoved back in with her and her husband earli-er this year.

“I felt it was part of my responsibility as aparent to prepare them to leave the nest,“ saidPeery.

Children sometimes even expect their par-ents will suffer when they leave the nest, andPeery said she thought her “daughters were alittle disappointed” that Peery was not overlyemotional when theymoved out to pursue theirown paths.

Peery said she was skeptical of the prospecther daughters would move back in, even con-fessing she had turned her daughters’ oldrooms into “my new closets.”

“At first I was like ‘I can’t believe this,’ butyou are always there for your children regard-less” she said.

Now, however, she said the new arrange-ment is nice, and she enjoys them back home.

“I think it’s brought us together and closer,”she said. “They helped me out. I had an injuryand was sick for a few months, and they were agreat help to me during that time.”

Peery also confessed the arrangement is notwhat she had first anticipated.

“It’s not as bad as I first anticipated. Youlearn to compromise, and that is a good lessonfor all of us,” she said. “They’ll be put on thespot that, when I get older, guess what? I’mmoving in with them.”

For parents or guardians who have childrenwho have recently left the nest, Wikipedia givesthese tips to aid possible empty nesters in cop-ing with their feeling of loss.

• One of the easiest ways for parents to copewith empty nest syndrome is to keep in contactwith their children. Technological develop-ments, such as cellphones, text messaging, andthe Internet, all allow for increased communi-cation between parents and their children.

• Parents going through empty nest syn-drome can ease their stress by pursuing theirown hobbies and interests in their increasedspare time. Discussing their grief with eachother, friends, families or professionals mayhelp them. Experts have advised that over-whelmed parents should keep a journal or goback to work if they were full-time parents. 50+

STORY BY Kimberly Jordan

"The greatest gifts you can give yourchildren are the roots of responsibilityand the wings of independence."

—Denis Waitly

O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3 1 1

THEY ARE THE PEOPLEWITH THEexperience, the energy and, if retired,the time. They are senior citizens, andmore and more, local agencies tapthem as a valuable volunteer resource.

Natasha Calhoun heads up com-munity service projects for HomeInstead Senior Care. She said her orga-nization is in the thick of the hunt forTennessee’s outstanding senior volun-teers. Sponsored by Home Instead, theSalute to Senior Service program rec-ognizes senior volunteers for the manycontributions they make in their localcommunities. Friends, co-workers, fam-

VOLUNTEERS

STORY BY Mary E. Hinds

Make adifference inCommunities

1 2 O U R H O M E 5 0 + 2 0 1 3

Mid-CumberlandCommunity Action AgencyDebbie Waller, DirectorPO Box 310233 Legends DriveLebanon, TN 37088-0310(615) 443-7606FAX (615) 742-3911email: mccaawallerd@bellsouth.net

FiftyForwardPenny Gammons, Director174 Rains AvenueNashville, TN37203(615) 743-3420FAX: (615) 743-3480email: pgammons@fiftyforward.org

L.B.J. & C. Development CorporationSandra Wilson, Director240 Carlen DriveCookeville, TN 38501(931) 528-6488FAX: (931) 528-6488email: fgprsvp@frontiernet.net

Southwest Human Resource AgencyBrenda Smith, DirectorPO Box 264Henderson, TN38340(731) 989-5111FAX: (731) 989-3095email: emurleyfgp@yahoo.com

TN RSVP Programs:

Big Brothers, Big Sistersof Middle TennesseeDiane Frey, Director204 General Forrest DriveSpringfield, TN 37172(615) 384-3941Cell: (615) 202-1097email: dianefrey@bellsouth.net

Clarksville-Montgomery County CAADeborah Grubbs, Director350 Pageant Lane, Suite 307Clarksville, TN 37040(931) 648-5774 x103FAX: (931) 648-5784email: dwydrarsvp2@hotmail.com

FiftyForwardShannon Duke, Director174 Rains AvenueNashville, TN 37203(615) 743-3423FAX: (615) 743-3424email: sduke@fiftyforward.org

L.B.J. & C. Development CorporationSandra Wilson, Director240 Carlen DriveCookeville, TN 38501(931) 528-6488FAX: (931) 528-6488email: fgprsvp@frontiernet.net

Southwest Human Resource AgencyLeisa Scott, DirectorPO Box 264Henderson, TN 38340(731) 968-7548FAX: (731) 968-4559email: lscottnssc@yahoo.com

FiftyForwardAmanda Chiavini, Director174 Rains AvenueNashville, TN 37203(615) 743-3421FAX: (615) 743-3480email: achiavini@fiftyforward.org

TN Foster Grandparent Programs:

Clarksville-Montgomery County CAARoy Chalmers, Director350 Pageant Lane, Suite 307Clarksville, TN 37040(931) 648-5774 x111FAX: (931) 648-5797email: rchalmers@midsouth.net

L.B.J. & C. Development CorporationSandra Wilson, Director240 Carlen DriveCookeville, TN 38501(931) 528-6488FAX: (931) 528-6488email: fgprsvp@frontiernet.net

Southwest Human Resource AgencyBrenda Smith, Director PO Box 264Henderson, TN 38340(731) 989-5111email: emurleyfgp@yahoo.com

ily members and nonprofit organiza-tions nominated deserving seniors forpossible state and national honors.

“To be eligible, a senior must beover 65 and do at least 15 hours ofcommunity service per week,” Cal-houn said. “Locally, we have avolunteer, known as ‘Jo G.,’ who wasnominated by Beulah Garrett.”

On the voting website Jo G.’saccomplishments are vaunted. Shevolunteers with the Lebanon-WilsonCounty Chamber of Commerce andfor her church.

“She helps people in need,” Cal-houn said, adding volunteering isgood for the seniors who help, as wellas the people they serve.

The winner in each state willreceive $500, and one national winnerwill receive $5,000 to donate to thewinners’ charities of choice. Fromthose state winners, a panel of seniorcare experts will pick the nationalSalute to Senior Service honoree.

Home Instead, Inc. will donate$500 to each of the state winners’favorite nonprofit organizations, andtheir stories will be posted on theSalute to Senior Service Wall of Fame.In addition, $5,000 will be donated tothe national winner’s nonprofit chari-ty of choice.

Regardless of whether or notsenior volunteers are recognized fortheir work, or they quietly serve theircommunities, everyone – the seniorsand those they serve, benefit.

“These seniors have a sense of pur-pose, it keeps them involved andkeeps them active,” Calhoun said.

Mid-Cumberland Meals OnWheels and Senior Dining Program isanother program that is findingseniors to be a Godsend as the agencylooks for volunteer drivers to delivernoon time meals to senior citizens inthe Lebanon and Mt. Julietarea. Maggie Brazil heads up theLebanon Meal OnWheels program.

“In Tennessee, the senior hungerrate is about 25 percent,” she said.

To combat that eye-opening statis-tic, her agency is desperately seekingsenior volunteers to deliver meals tofellow seniors. She said one group thathas been up to the task has been localvolunteer seniors.

“I’m looking for volunteers whocan work from 10-11:30 a.m.,” shesaid. “It’s great for retired people.”

Seniors who want to volunteer tohelp in their communities can turn tothe state of Tennessee to find opportu-nities to serve. The Tennessee Senior

Senior Volunteeropportunities

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Corps matches seniors with localagencies that can use their assistanceand expertise. According to state offi-cials, more than 6,300 seniors inTennessee contribute their time andtalents in one of three Senior Corpsprograms.

The Senior Corps has more thanhalf a million volunteers ages 55 andolder who serve through the FosterGrandparents, RSVP and Senior Com-panion Programs throughout thecountry.

Foster Grandparents ProgramServing Children Foster Grand-

parents devotes its volunteer service toone population, children with specialor exceptional needs. Across thecountry, Foster Grandparents areoffering emotional support to childvictims of abuse and neglect, tutoringchildren who lag behind in reading,mentoring troubled teenagers andyoungmothers, and caring for prema-ture infants and children with physicaldisabilities and severe illnesses.

Retired and SeniorVolunteer ProgramServing the community, RSVP

offers maximum flexibility and choiceto its volunteers. RSVP matches thepersonal interests and skills of olderAmericans with opportunities to helpsolve community problems. RSVP vol-unteers choose how and where theywant to serve - from a few to over 40hours a week. RSVP makes it easy forolder adults to find the types of vol-unteer service opportunities thatappeal to them. RSVP volunteers pro-vide hundreds of community services.They tutor children in reading andmath, help to build houses, help getchildren immunized, model parent-ing skills to teen parents, participatein neighborhood watch programs,plan community gardens, delivermeals, offer disaster relief to victimsof natural disasters, and help commu-nity organizations operate moreefficiently.

Senior Companion ProgramSenior Companions reach out to

adults who need extra assistance tolive independently in their ownhomes or communities. Senior Com-panions assist their adult clients inbasic but essential ways: they providecompanionship and friendship to iso-

lated frail seniors, assist with simplechores, provide transportation, andadd richness to their clients‘ lives.Senior Companions serve frail olderadults and their caregivers, adultswith disabilities, and those with termi-nal illnesses.

Regardless of whether senior vol-unteers join a state organization, orvolunteer locally, they are a recog-nized asset for local groups who aretrying to provide services on tightbudgets.

“We all know seniors who do somuch for our community. These silentheroes give selflessly, expecting noth-ing in return. And yet, theircontributions oftenmake a differencenot only to the organizations theyserve, but in changing how the publicviews growing older,” said MaggieJulian-Lea, franchise owner of theMount Juliet office of Home InsteadSenior Care.

For more information about howto volunteer for the Tennessee SeniorCorps, contact Jerry Herman at theCorporation for National and Com-munity Service Tennessee State officeat 615-736-5561 or via email at jher-man@cns.gov. 50+