Locals celebrate Elderly Americans Month
Marcella O'Connor, Donna Wildes, Brenda Connors and Pat Wisniewski get ready to party. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Chris Markey, Maria Connor and Jackie McDonald pose. 
Janice Rogers with her hat for the hat contest. 
Amy DiPietro gives a speech. 
Cody Hadadd reads off some of Jackie McDonald's accomplishments. 
Linda and John Oggenfuss enter the luncheon. 
The live band. 
Claudia Settele runs into a friends at the lunch. 
Mary Askeland enjoys the luncheon. 
Carl Alsh interviews Maria Connor during the event. 
Joanna Markel and Suzanne Jacobson pose for a photo. 
Joyce O'Connell in her winning hat.
Marcella O'Connor, Donna Wildes, Brenda Connors and Pat Wisniewski get ready to party. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Chris Markey, Maria Connor and Jackie McDonald pose.
Janice Rogers with her hat for the hat contest.
Amy DiPietro gives a speech.
Cody Hadadd reads off some of Jackie McDonald's accomplishments.
Linda and John Oggenfuss enter the luncheon.
The live band.
Claudia Settele runs into a friends at the lunch.
Mary Askeland enjoys the luncheon.
Carl Alsh interviews Maria Connor during the event.
Joanna Markel and Suzanne Jacobson pose for a photo.
Joyce O'Connell in her winning hat.
May is Elderly Americans Month, and the Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly made sure that older residents feel appreciated this month. The Friends of the Elderly, partnered with the Council on Aging, held the second annual luncheon honoring older Americans on Monday, May 18.
“Elderly citizens contributed a lot to this country, to raise a family, they work, some of them are still working. Some of them volunteer [for] their community,” said Maria Connor, who runs the Friends of the Elderly. “It’s a segment of the population that we owe a lot to.”
The event was hosted at the New Bedford Country Club in Dartmouth. The over 150 guests came dressed up for the occasion, with many women wearing fun hats. Others dressed comfortably to enjoy the day. All were welcome to pose for photos at the photo booth. Guests enjoyed live music with their lunch.
Council on Aging Director Amy DiPietro said that the Council on Aging “strives to celebrate older Americans every day,” adding that it's “nice to take a minute, take a breath and celebrate everyone.”
Elderly Americans Month was established under John F. Kennedy, who passed the Older Americans Act. This supports public health services by giving states flexible funding for these programs.
After enjoying a lunch prepared by the New Bedford Country Club, one resident was honored for her service to the town; Jackie McDonald.
McDonald worked on the Council on Aging Board of Directors, the Soil Board, the Community Preservation Committee and the Conservation Commission. She was also involved in the Dartmouth School Music Association, Dartmouth Girls Athletic League and the Friends of the Elderly. She started North Dartmouth Properties Incorporated.
She received citations from; State Representative Chris Markey, Town Administrator Cody Hadadd, a representative for Congressman Bill Keating, a representative for Senator Mark Montigny and DiPietro.
“I hope, as I grow old, that I can have the energy she has,” said Markey. “The passion she has in the care of her community, that she has always had.”
The day ended with announcing the winner of the hat contest. Joyce O’Connell won a $100 certificate with her black feathered hat.
“The seniors are the lifeline of our community,” said Hadadd. “They’ve helped shape what our community is and for the community of our next generation.”
