PERKINSVILLE — Back in 1972, Betty Engel arranged a December get-together at Sacred Heart Church with the idea of providing a social outlet for her mother and other area senior citizens. The effort seemed noble enough, but nature didn’t cooperate as the harshest storm of the season set upon northern Steuben County.
"It was like a blizzard," Engel recalled.
Yet the event went on as scheduled — and despite those weather difficulties, it proved so successful that it evolved into a genuine institution.
"Golden Ager" functions, as they’ve come to be known, are still going strong on the first Friday of each month beginning at 11:30 a.m. They remain popular nearly four decades after their founding, as evidenced by the 40 guests who squeezed into Sacred Heart’s community-center room on Nov. 5.
There, senior citizens took part in a Mass celebrated by Father Gennaro Ventura, longtime retired priest for Holy Family Catholic Community. The participants’ strong bonds of fellowship were evident when at each of the five long tables they joined hands for the sign of peace. Mass lasted slightly under 30 minutes; at its conclusion Father Ventura noted that meal time had arrived by declaring with a grin, "Don’t go too far or you ain’t gonna eat."
Laughter at Father Ventura’s quip was followed by lively conversation that lasted throughout the ensuing luncheon featuring chicken, squash and mashed potatoes. The atmosphere was further enhanced by fall harvest decorations filling the room — not to mention flowers for each guest, courtesy of parishioner Joan Belanger.
Meanwhile, Engel passed around a scrapbook with photographs from Golden Ager gatherings dating back to the early years. She noted that the inaugural event took place in the back of Sacred Heart Church; then the Golden Agers moved to the Perkinsville Fire Department for a few years before settling in at Sacred Heart’s community center.
Golden Agers have maintained a format of catering to people 60 years of age or older by offering Mass, a meal and bingo games. Engel added that she often has brought in guest speakers on senior citizen-related topics, such as Social Security. Food is provided by Holy Family, with a donation of $4 per person requested.
"People enjoy visiting with each other and they enjoy the good food," said Engel, who pens the "Perkinsville Perspective" column for the Genesee Country Express newspaper.
Golden Ager events were originally limited to members of Sacred Heart, which is located in the quiet community of Perkinsville two miles from the Route 21 exit of Interstate 390. Event participation has expanded in recent years to include folks from Holy Family’s other three churches: St. Pius V, Cohocton; St. Mary, Dansville; and St. Joseph, Wayland. Engel said monthly attendance generally remains steady, although some regulars escape to warmer climates for the winter months.
"It’s wonderful for us senior citizens to get together, have something to eat and play bingo afterward," said Gerry Recktenwald, one of the Golden Ager organizers, who rated her lunch "delicious."
Sitting at the same table was Viola Bricks — who, at 98 years old, is currently the Golden Agers’ "senior senior." She noted that she lives "right around the corner" and has been retired since 1984.
"Ever since, I’ve been coming (to Golden Ager functions.) I haven’t missed very many," she said while dining across from fellow nonagenarian Father Ventura — he’s 92 — and Holy Family’s parochial vicar, Father Michael Twardzik. "I like to meet the people. It’s something to look forward to."
