SR GAMES DRAW LARGE CROWD

Sue Weber (left) from Potter County Human Services operates the bean bag throwing competition at Friday's Four-County Senior Games in Bradford. Early-morning showers yielded to sunny skies, making for another successful event that involved about 180 senior citizens from Elk, Cameron, Potter and McKean counties. Photo courtesy of Potter County Human Services

More than 180 people from their late-50s to their late 80s competed in the annual Four- County Senior Games last Friday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

They chose from among more than a dozen events, ranging from the 100-yard dash to billiards, earning ribbons and, in some cases, the envy of their peers.

A handful of the participants have attended all 24 Senior Games, where competition is organized by three age groups: 55-67, 68-77 and 78 and older.

"For most people, it's more of a social occasion and a chance to meet and eat," said Bill Orzechowski, long-time committee member. "But we still have some who come to win and they have a box full of ribbons to prove it."

Much of the organizational responsibility has fallen to Mark Benson of Potter County Human Services, who serves as director and recruits many of his co-workers from that agency to help out.

Volunteers come from throughout the Potter, Cameron, McKean and Elk County area and many of the same people turn out to help, year after year. For example, an Emporium couple, Randall and Ruth Metcalf, have assisted for 17 years.

This year, Girl Scout leader Pat Pelchy from Coudersport brought a vanload of girls from Troop 155 to help out.

"Volunteering is very important," Pelchy said. "Plus, the more time they spend helping the older generation, the more they can learn. The older generation has a lot to teach."

Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel joined his sister, Jane Metzger, and Girl Scout Amber Weakland to run the free throw-shooting competition.

"It's an uplifting experience for the volunteers," Heimel noted. "They say the key to staying young is staying active, so this is a great event, and I know Mark (Benson) really puts his heart into it."

Ken Ostrum, who's a big booster of the Emporium Senior Center, was busy making his rounds at the Senior Games.

"Being a senior citizen doesn't mean sitting around," Ostrum said.

Benson thanked the volunteers who operated the games, served refreshments and organized the event.

"They're the ones that make it happen," he observed.