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With A Spring In Their Step

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Today's seniors are unlike the old fogies of yesteryear.

"They are so much more vibrant, and they want to live life to its fullest as long as they can," said Agatha Yoakum, project coordinator for the Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services.
Yoakum was among numerous other county staff members on hand during Thursday's department-sponsored Senior Spring Fling at All People's Life Center.

She watched as men and women put their physical skills to the test in a limbo contest and others assessed their cognitive and agility abilities in a variety of computer sports games.
Yoakum marveled at the women who moved about the dance floor with their walkers to guide them and was amused by those who waited in line to select from an array of colorful temporary tattoos.

"As you can see, these folks aren't ready to sit in their easy chairs and let the world pass them by," Yoakum said. "They don't want to miss out on the fun."
Yoakum and others also were awestruck as they perused rows of paintings from about two dozen artists who entered works in the event's art contest. Oils, acrylics, charcoals, pastels and watercolors were among the mediums on display, and all were created by artists 60 and older who live in the county.

Handcrafted items -quilts, afghans, throws, sweaters, vests and jewelry - were displayed on tables for attendees to view and purchase.

In between the exhibits, senior residents from throughout the county gathered to meet, chat and listen to the Hammerhead Steel Band play while sipping on nonalcoholic cocktails, including mudslides and margaritas, from a nearby tiki bar.

"This is fabulous, and I love the tropical atmosphere," said 80-year-old Virginia Kessock, who lives at Bayshore Presbyterian Apartments in Tampa. "It gets us out to have fun and to see what's going on around us."

Toni Easparro, 80, also a Bayshore apartment resident, agreed.

"It's wonderful to get all these seniors together because we just love to keep on going," said Easparro, outfitted in patriotic colors.

Adjacent to the dance floor were several booths with information about Medicare, supplemental insurance and services provided by the Department of Aging Services.

"When people visit us, they tell us we're the best-kept secret in the county," said social worker Amy Williams. "We're very lucky in this county to have so many services for seniors."

Questions about transportation and respite care are the most common, Williams said. The county offers those services out of the area's senior centers, and both are free, she said.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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