PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CELEBRATION … Seniors at the Fulton County Senior Center enjoy patriotic music during the center’s “Happy 250th Birthday, America!” celebration on Thursday, June 25.
STERLENA … Sterlena stands outside the Fulton County Senior Center in Wauseon, decked out in red, white and blue for the center’s patriotic 250th birthday celebration.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Senior Center held a patriotic birthday celebration on Thursday, June 25, bringing seniors together in Wauseon to recognize America’s upcoming 250th birthday with music, food, decorations and fellowship.
The event featured a patriotic singing program by the Mark and Kelly Miller family from The Worship Barn, a Pentecostal church located at the corner of Albon and Angola roads in Holland.
The program began at 11 a.m. and included patriotic songs for those in attendance.
Fulton County Senior Center Activity Coordinator Vicki Hoylman said the center wanted to make sure its seniors had an opportunity to take part in the national milestone.
“We were excited about America turning 250 and didn’t want to miss out,” Hoylman said.
Hoylman continued and explained that the center decided to hold the event slightly before Independence Day, so seniors would still be able to take part in other activities or family plans during the first week of July.
Following the music program, seniors were served an all-American lunch at noon. The meal included cheeseburgers, baked beans, macaroni salad and apple pie.
The senior center was decorated in red, white and blue for the celebration, with patriotic table decorations, a photo backdrop and balloons set up in the hallway. Goody bags were also prepared for those attending.
Hoylman said one local senior, who is a friend of the senior center, used craft paper to make small mint holders for the bags. Northcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation also donated bracelets that were included.
As an added feature, the Fulton County Fair Board brought Sterlena, which was also dressed for the 250th celebration.
Hoylman said 180 seniors signed up for the celebration, filling the center for the day’s activities.
“We have a lot of veterans, and so they enjoy patriotic things,” Hoylman said. “We just really feel it’s important to always have something on the calendar for our seniors to look forward to.”
She added that the 250th birthday celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime event, making it especially meaningful for the seniors who attended.
Hoylman also said the Wauseon center offers more than special events, with regular weekday opportunities including free exercise classes, bingo, music, educational programs and lunch at noon.
The Fulton County Senior Center is open every weekday in Wauseon and also operates satellite sites in Swanton, Delta, Fayette and Archbold on certain days of the week.
“If you’re in Fulton County, you’re close to a senior center,” Hoylman said.
