200 seniors join Carbon games
Ronald Hensel of Weatherly prepares his shot during the shuffleboard event on Tuesday. See a photo gallery online with Tuesday’s events. AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS
Larry Klotz of Lehighton, Lewis Hirochek of Panther Valley, James Ketchledge of Lehighton and Roger Berger of Palmerton listen during the 2019 Carbon County Senior Games opening ceremony Tuesday. The annual games continue until May 9. Visit www.tnonline.com for photo galleries from each day’s competitions. AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS
Carbon County Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein waits for a response from the seniors during the opening ceremony.
The tone inside the Lehighton Recreation Center Tuesday was one of joy and laughter as approximately 200 seniors from all over Carbon County gathered to kick off the 31st annual Carbon County Senior Games.
The competitors for the annual Olympic-style event include seniors from Panther Valley, Weatherly and Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder senior centers, which make up the North Carbon County team, and the returning champs, Lehighton and Palmerton senior centers, which make up the South Carbon County team.
The opening ceremony began with a presentation of colors by Arianna Moser, Tyler Nelson, Hailey Duncan and Haile Weaver of the Panther Valley JROTC and the singing of the national anthem by Jim Thorpe team member Martha Moyer.
Anne Horrigan, coordinator of the games, welcomed everyone and introduced guest speakers.
Commissioner William O’Gurek thanked everyone for coming out to participate.
“It is so important to get out there and have some friendly competition,” he said before wishing everyone luck.
Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard wished everyone the best during the competition, adding that it is amazing to see so many seniors participating and wished everyone the best during the competition.
Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein joked with the group and commended everyone for their hard work throughout the year to get ready for the games.
“Let’s remember why we’re here. We’re here to get some exercise, see old friends, make new friends and kick some butt,” he said.
He commended Horrigan and the staff at Area Agency on Aging for making the games possible every years.
Susan Zeigler, administrator of Carbon County’s Area Agency on Aging, also spoke how wonderful the games and participants are for the county.
Participants then recited the senior games oath before Horrigan announced the official start of the games.
“Let the games begin,” she said.
The 2019 Carbon County Senior Games will continue through May 9 for county residents age 60 and older.
Locations for this year’s events include the Lehighton Recreation Center, Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder Senior Center, Panther Valley Senior Center, Nesquehoning VFW, Fairview Hose Company of Jim Thorpe, Heisler’s Dairy Bar, Cypress Lanes, Fritz’s Lanes and new this year, the old Lehighton high school and elementary school grounds.
The games will conclude at 4 p.m. on May 9 with a banquet at Whispering Pines, Route 903 in Jim Thorpe.
The results of the 2019 Carbon County Senior Games will be published in the Times News.
Check it out every day to see who is leading this year’s competition, and visit tnonline.com to see pictures of each day’s events in the online photo galleries.
