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Adopting the name Silver Games, they would create opportunities for senior citizens to participate in a variety of friendly competitions. Their efforts were successful from the start, and the games have grown more popular ever since.
This year, beginning Sunday, Sept. 13, and continuing through the 18th, the Franklin County Silver Games aim to celebrate its 20th anniversary. But how have they been improved in two decades?
To begin, back in 1990, the Silver Games lasted three days, concluding with a barbecue and dance contest. Two years later they were extended to four days, then in 1999 to five days.
In 2003, to coordinate with Senior Olympics programs elsewhere throughout the nation, the minimum age for participants was lowered from 55 to 50. Meanwhile, the number of Silver Games participants increased, from about 200 the first year, to nearly 500 in 2008. These figures, as seniors from beyond Franklin County boosted the numbers, some traveling from as far as Kansas City, have clearly reflected the games' popularity.
None of this would have been possible without dedicated efforts from committee members, from hundreds of other volunteers, from the host communities, and from many financial sponsors.
The original committee consisted of about a dozen members, but has since doubled and changed so that not all can be recognized here. But a few stalwarts from the start do come to mind. Linda Metcalf, Union, chaired the 1990 Silver Games and was helped by Sherry Nauman, Margaret Holtmeyer, Vera Gerner and Ron Scheer. Sherry Nauman managed the original track and field events, held at Pacific High School, and has continued ever since.
Margaret Holtmeyer was the first secretary and has served as treasurer several times since. In 1990 Vera Gerner took charge of distributing medals to winners of all events, while Ron Scheer took care of advertising. Meanwhile, Linda Metcalf remained active as an institutional adviser until 2008.
Another stalwart from among the early volunteers deserves special recognition. Dutch Borcherding did publicity work and wrote news releases for the Silver Games until he retired from that position in 2003.
Since its initial 1990 roster of offerings, the Silver Games have had to drop only one activity, tennis, but added swimming in 1993, shuffleboard in 1996, power volleyball in 2003, and pickleball in 2008.
But from the start, one activity has been featured every year: the closing day picnic followed by dancing with, until two years ago, music accompaniments by Catherine Gardner.
The most endearing aspect of the Silver Games has been the loyalty and endurance of senior competitors. Every year since 1990, Frank Lesinski has won numerous medals in track and field events, and also in bowling. Ed and Ruth Gardner, with other members of their family, have been consistent yearly winners in a variety of events.
In terms of endurance, advancing age has never been a discouragement. Consider the following competitors from 1993 only: Ruth Jones, age 90; George Ward, age 92 (with son George Jr., 67); and Elizabeth Roques, age 97. This list could be added to, year after year, to include every winner who has succeeded in the fight against becoming a habitual couch potato.
The endurance factor has applied to all sorts of activities, from those less active such as card games, to track and field and swimming at the Four Rivers YMCA. In fact, since their introduction to the Silver Games in 1993, swimming events have attracted many outstanding swimmers from beyond Franklin County, including two Olympics national champions for their age group: Robert Blake doing the freestyle, and Thomas Main doing the butterfly and the backstroke.
The Silver Games have for many years catered to competitors from outside of Franklin County by offering free food at various events. This has been made possible only because of the generosity of event sponsors.
Meanwhile, regarding the basic registration fee which was $5 in 1990, it has been raised to only $8, excluding some added fees for golf, miniature golf and bowling. The nominal costs have proved a bargain in luring senior citizens away from the many temptations of sedentary aging.
This year the Silver Games are scheduled to begin Sunday, Sept. 13, featuring power volleyball at East Central College and swimming at the Four Rivers YMCA, and will conclude with the picnic and dance competitions Sept. 18.
Applications to compete in the Franklin County Silver Games are available from sports venues, senior centers and other selected places in Franklin County. They must be postmarked no later than Monday, Aug. 10.
