Long overdue

It may not be an official town-sanctioned honour, but it’s great to see the creation of an annual award to recognize the contributions of local senior citizens.
That’s not to say they haven’t been saluted over the years—a majority of the 25 recipients to date of the Fort Frances Citizen-of-the-Year Award, after all, were seniors at the time of their selection. But with several district municipalities already presenting Senior-of-the-Year awards, having an award dedicated solely to the achievements of our senior residents is long overdue.
Seniors’ issues and concerns always have been around, of course. It’s clear, however, that with our aging population, these are taking on added importance with each passing year, especially to those who may not have given much thought before about things like accessibility, mobility, and assisted living.
Fortunately, Fort Frances has been blessed with local seniors who are vocal, vibrant, and pro-active—as evidenced by the efforts of the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) and the Assisted Living Action Group (A.L.A.G.)
Let’s not forget, either, the volunteers at the Sister Kennedy Centre, which last week celebrated its 30th anniversary as a hub for activities and fellowship for local seniors—a vital and valued community asset.
Last November, the inaugural “Hats Off to Seniors” gala honoured local individuals, businesses, and organizations for their support. It’s only fitting that those who epitomize active seniors, or who work tirelessly to keep seniors’ issues front and centre, are similarly recognized.
It’s a small gesture that speaks volumes on the importance of seniors to our community.