Every May, which is Older Americans’ Month, the Redmond Senior Center (RSC) Senior Advisory Committee selects two individuals and an organization who’ve significantly improved the quality of life for older adults in the community.
This year’s Outstanding Volunteer Service award recipients are Martha Olson and Joy Littlefield. The notable organization is the Sophisticated Swing Big Band.
Fairwinds of Redmond hosted a dinner for the honorees before the May 5 City Council meeting, where Mayor John Marchione read proclamations describing their accomplishments.
Olson was praised for her “positive attitude and willingness to share her time and energy” as a RSC beverage bar hostess and retired nurse who provides courtesy blood pressure checks. She also substitutes for other RSC volunteers when they are not available and assists at special events.
Littlefield was “lovingly described as ‘the head of the band groupies'” because of her fervor for the Sophisticated Swing Big Band and monthly dances at the RSC. She bakes cookies, acts as the door hostess and does all she can to promote these events. A former YMCA music director, she also supports other local bands.
Originally started by Walt and Helen Kittler as the Swingin’ Seniors, the Sophisticated Swing Big Band has been the “house band” at RSC events for almost 20 years. Several senior romances have sizzled as this 17-piece band played sweet standards by Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.
At a May 8 award reception at the RSC, Olson said that being “a nurse and a jack of all trades is my nature.”
She gets plenty of payback for her service at the RSC, Olson added: “I live close, have lots of friends here and it keeps me busy. This is an honor and I’m delighted and humbled.”
Littlefield said she’s been coming to the RSC for 15 years “because I receive so much more fun than what I give. I enjoy the big band music and the terrific people.”
Dan Witmer, alto saxophone player for the Sophisticated Swing Big Band commented, “I wish every senior center could be like this. We play many other places and there’s no place like this. We are so accepted here.”
Burke told the crowd that at this year’s Redmond Derby Days, the Sophisticated Swing Big Band will be promoted from performing on the patio of the RSC to playing the “big stage” in front of Redmond City Hall. It’s hoped that younger attendees at the summer festival will discover some great music that they’ve been missing.
Definitely not a place where “old people sit around in rocking chairs,” the RSC offers a wide range of classes and activities. Upcoming all-ages events include “Whiskers, Wings and Wagging Tails,” a pet fair, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
The RSC is located at 8703 160th Ave. NE. For information, call (425) 556-2314 or visit www.redmond.gov.
