LEONARDTOWN, Md. - The St. Mary's County Government Department of Aging's Northern Senior Center received two awards for Programs of Excellence from the Maryland Association of Senior Centers (MASC) at the annual awards ceremony in June 2007.
The MASC annual awards program recognizes excellence in senior center programming and are designed to honor and promote outstanding efforts made by senior centers throughout the state.
First place honors were given to St. Mary's County Government on behalf of the Northern Senior Center's event, April Fool's Day Fun. The plaque awards the Northern Senior Center in the first-time "County-wide Program" category for events open to all seniors within the respective County. There were eight competing entries representing other Maryland counties.
The creative and innovative event included "dress your dummy" relay race, the second annual "Potato Head Contest" and silly games and required dress. The Northern Stars Theater group preformed a comical skit, "The Salesman," about two conniving ladies turning the tables on a car salesman; a comedian warmed the crowd with jokes and stories beforehand and their stage performance ended with improvisational games with the audience.
An honorable mention award was given to the Northern Senior Center's program,"Relaxation Retreat," in the category Health, Wellness and Nutrition and was judged against 18 other entries. This monthly activity provides tranquil and calming experiences for seniors. Aromatherapy, sound and video therapy help soothe minds while instruction on progressive relaxation is shared as well as hand massage techniques.
The Northern Senior Center is located in Charlotte Hall, Maryland on Charlotte Hall Road just north of the Veteran's Home and hosts a wide array of activities for active seniors. The Northern Senior Center staff can be contacted at 301-475-4002. The Center is open to the senior public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The Department of Aging produces a bi-monthly newsletter. The July/August version of New Beginning was recently mailed and is also available at the county's website at http://www.stmarysmd.com/doa/docs/newbeginnings.pdf. In addition to the current newsletter, other valuable information is available at this website, including a list of all county Senior Centers, a resource guide, lunch menus, and upcoming events. To be added to the print distribution of the newsletter, call 301-475-4200, x1050.