TARCOG events celebrate Older Americans Month

HUNTSVILLE – If you were born in 1960 or before, did you know you officially qualify as an “Older American”?

But before you get too defensive about your age, the entire month of May is in honor of you.

May is Older Americans Month, established by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living as a time to recognize the importance and contributions of the elderly (60-plus) population.

In North Alabama, the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments is hosting five community events for seniors throughout northeast Alabama.

As a designated Area Agency on Aging, TARCOG is working with partner organizations in Madison, Limestone, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes.

Themed, “Aging Unbound”, all events are free and open to the public.

“What used to be known as our annual Senior Fun Fest has expanded into five different events this year,” said Rene Breland, recently retired director of aging programs at TARCOG. “We are excited to be able to reach even more residents of our region by hosting these events in different locations, and we are grateful to our event partners for helping make it happen.”

Those five events and locations are:

• Jackson County – The Jackson County Council on Aging is hosting Luau on the Lake on Friday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Jackson County Council on Aging at 146 Rita Williams Drive in Scottsboro.
• Madison County – The Studio 60 Senior Center is hosting the 24^thAnnual Retirement Lifestyle Expo on May 9 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Jaycee Community Building at 2180 Airport Road in Huntsville.
• Marshall County – The Marshall County Council on Aging is hosting the Older Americans Festival and Football Blast on May 11 from 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. in the RSVP Building at 19272 U.S. 431 in Guntersville.
• Limestone County – The Limestone County Council on Aging is hosting Countywide Bingo on May 12 from 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. at the Central Church of Christ at 320 U.S. 31 in Athens.
• DeKalb County – The Dekalb County Council on Aging and Fort Payne Parks and Recreation are hosting Countywide Bingo on May 17 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Rotary Pavilion at 201 Fifth St. in Fort Payne.

“Serving our aging population is a significant part of TARCOG’s work,” said Michelle Gilliam Jordan, executive director of TARCOG. “We look forward to Older Americans Month each year as an opportunity to celebrate the seniors in our communities.”