 White Plains, NY - A 95-year-old volunteer with SOS Medicare, a tireless community leader who is chair of Westchester County’s Fair Campaign Practices Committee and a retired social worker who says no volunteer job is too big or too small are among the 36 seniors who will be honored at the 27th annual Senior Hall of Fame on Dec. 4.
The festive luncheon and candle-lighting induction ceremony - which attracts about 500 people every year - will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Main Ballroom of the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.
The top honoree from the “Class of 2009” is Lila R. Ogman of New Rochelle, whose passion for learning led to her to be a founder of the Learning in Retirement at Iona College program, or LIRIC – in 1993 and serve as its first president for four years.
LIRIC began with about 20 students and a few classes. But thanks to the dedication of Ogman and others, it continued to grow. Today, LIRIC boasts 300 members and more than 20 classes on a wide range of subjects year-round.
Jazz, art and writing workshops, computer classes and tax strategies are just a few of the courses that are offered. All are taught by retired professionals from various fields who are LIRIC members, the Iona faculty and members of the community. Trips to nearby points of interest that blend intellectual stimulation and fun are part of LIRIC’s “curriculum” as well.
Ogman’s love of learning, however, extends to people of all ages. For 23 years she was a preschool teacher with disadvantaged students in New Rochelle.
The Senior Hall of Fame is co-sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) and Westchester County Parks. DSPS established the Senior Hall of Fame in 1982 to honor seniors who have contributed their energies and talents as professionals and volunteers to enhance the quality of life throughout Westchester or in their particular communities. Since the Hall of Fame began, 836 seniors have been inducted.
DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said that the Senior Hall of Fame honorees also exemplify the county’s Livable Communities initiative where “neighbors helping neighbors” is a way of life.
“They reach out to others, and by doing so show the Livable Communities approach and spirit,” Carpenter said. “And that can-do attitude enhances the quality of life for people of all ages.”
Four seniors will receive “special recognition” at the luncheon.
Lola D. Hunter of Elmsford is a retired social worker who had been a Westchester County employee for 31 years. She continues to work but in recent years it’s as a volunteer who is involved in homeless shelters, helping seniors process their applications for Medicaid or food stamps and raising money for college scholarships for needy families.
Every spring Hunter presents a program at the Woodfield Cottage Detention Center for Youths where each young person receives a new book from Barnes and Noble about African-Americans who have had a significant impact on history.
Paul K. Schwarz of White Plains was an English and public speaking teacher, and during his career taught at public schools in Scarsdale, Tarrytown and Bedford. Schwarz is the current president of Meals-on-Wheels in White Plains. He is also a member of DSPS’ Senior Housing and Services Coalition and serves on the board of the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.
Evelyn M. Stock of Scarsdale is a long-time leader in community and civic organizations. She is a member of the advisory board of the League of Women Voters of Westchester, the Westchester Children’s Association and the Scarsdale Youth Employment Advisory Board. Presently, she is also serving her second term as chair of the Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee.
Dr. Arthur Wolstein from New Rochelle, a retired podiatrist, is 95 years old and has been a volunteer in the Westchester Seniors Out Speaking on Medicare program since it began in 2001. So every month for the past eight years, Wolstein has presented monthly sessions on Medicare at the White Plains Senior Center. He had also been chairman of Visions Summer Camp for the Blind. In his professional life, he served as president of the American Association of Hospital Podiatrists.
Members of the community nominate individuals to the Senior Hall of Fame. The winners were selected by a screening committee composed of Hall of Fame members and staff from Senior Programs and Services.
Nominees must be Westchester residents who are at least 60 years old. They also must have made significant and enduring contributions to the county in the areas of human services, humanitarianism or philanthropy or for outstanding leadership in initiating, improving or expanding services or programs.
The names of Hall of Fame winners are engraved on plaques that are permanently displayed at the DSPS office in Mount Vernon. Since the Hall of Fame began, 836 seniors have been inducted.
Here are the members of the “Class of 2009,” which has two married couples.
ARMONK: Charlie Pound
CORTLANDT MANOR: Ellen Buccellato
CROTON-ON-HUDSON: Rosalind Morrissey
EASTCHESTER: Richard A. Albano, Carmine and Carmela Masucci
ELMSFORD: Lola D. Hunter,** Margaret Watson
GRANITE SPRINGS: William F. Kehoe
HAWTHORNE: Fred V. Pucarelli
IRVINGTON: Jim Brennen
MAMARONECK : Lena Sjunnemark
MONTROSE: Wilfrido Pinna
MOUNT VERNON: Norma F. Francis, Ezma Jones, Icylin Lewis, (Elder) Elease S. Lyde, Annette and Ray Miserendino, Hildy Munch
NEW ROCHELLE: Vincent A. Dunn, Marlene Lerner, Lila R. Ogman,* Dr. Arthur Wolstein**
OSSINING: Rosemarie Parisi
PLEASANTVILLE: Sal J. Rubino, R.Ph.
RYE BROOK: Elliot Finkelstein
SCARBOROUGH MANOR: Allan S. Mohl, Ph.D
SCARSDALE: Evelyn M. Stock**
TARRYTOWN: Alyce N. Coqueran
TUCKAHOE: Alice H. White
WHITE PLAINS: Jean M. Brown, Paul K. Schwarz**
YONKERS: Helen Parsons
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS: William F. Nehmzow, Olive Wallace
*Top honoree
**Special recognition honoree
 |
