Age-defiers

Nothing was stopping Viola Jines from having a good time Thursday, especially not her age. She is 102 years old, but she didn’t show it during fierce competition Thursday at the first Senior Olympics in Shawnee.
Senior Olympics was held in conjunction with National Nursing Home Week, which ends today. Jines, who was the oldest nursing home resident at the event, started the day’s activities by making the traditional Olympic torch trek, followed by arm wrestling, ring toss and more.
Residents participated in 21 games, including volleyball, history bowl, checkers, golf, bowling and several others.
Golden Rule Home and SunDance Rehabilitation Center planned the event, which included nine nursing homes from Pottawatomie, Lincoln and Seminole counties. Nursing homes included Golden Rule Nursing Home of Shawnee, Seminole Pioneer Nursing Home, Seminole Estates, Rose Manor of Shawnee, Sunset Estates of Tecumseh, Colonial Estates of Shawnee, Meeker Nursing Center, McLoud Nursing Center and Shawnee Care Center.
Shawnee Mayor Chuck Mills proclaimed this week National Nursing Home Week in Shawnee. The Oklahoma Legislature also provided a proclamation signed by Rep. Kris Steele, Sen. Charlie Laster and Gov. Brad Henry.
As part of the ceremonies, the Bethel High School music department sang the national anthem, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars led the flag salute.
Volunteers were from Heartland Hospice and Bethel High School Honor Society and Student Council.
Event coordinator Becky Wade, therapy program manager for SunDance Rehabilitation and The Golden Rule Skilled Nursing Facility, said the Senior Olympics brings seniors together to promote fitness, friendship and community activities.
Mills said events like the Senior Olympics touch people in the community. “You (senior citizens) are the ones who built our communities so we can move forward,” he said.
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Amanda Gire may be reached at amanda.gire@news-star.com or at 214-3934.