Also See: Memory Walk Raises Money for Alzheimer's Association (09/06) September School of Good Health (09/06) Covenant Senior Health

Platinum Awards recognize people 65 or older who maintain active lifestyles and work in their communities sharing their time, talents, and experiences with others.

The Platinum Awards are the result of an idea that more should be done to promote the positive aspects of aging. Much current information often portrays the aging process as synonymous with declining health, happiness, and quality of life.

In fact, most people are healthy and active the majority of their lives, so the Platinum Awards identify special seniors who embody vitality of body, mind, or spirit.

The Platinum Awards also bestows the Senior Advocate Award on a person of any age whose service or advocacy to seniors promotes positive aging.

Scores of nominations were received from throughout the East Tennessee region. Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges composed of George Bitzas, UT music professor; Sig Dietz, retired professor of gerontology; and Gina Stafford, health reporter for the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

The winners received a special gift and a cash prize of $500 provided by NHC HealthCare.

The Platinum Awards are sponsored by Covenant Health, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Kroger.

IRENE BALLARD
Knoxville

Irene Ballard would be exceptional even if she were 23, not 73. She is a professional rollerskater, a member of two bowling leagues, and a member of a ballroom dancing club. She teaches safe driving to seniors as a volunteer for Knox 55 Alive and volunteers with a senior skating club.

Irene also volunteers her talents as a cake decorator to local organizations like the 4-H club and is involved in activities at First Baptist Church of Knoxville. She is an accomplished artist, recently completing a 4-by-5-foot oil painting for one of her four children.

From the nominator (entire nomination):

"Irene is healthy, active and does not take any medications. She is a firm believer in eating healthy foods and keeping on the go. She continues to develop her talents in all areas of her life and shares these talents by volunteering her time to others. Irene is a wonderful example of someone who is getting the most of her senior years."

EWING "TEX" HIGHT
Knoxville

At 65, an age when many people think of retiring, Tex Hight began tutoring with the Even Start program. Today, at 74, he's still helping Knox County schools by assisting in parent education and GED classes three days a week and teaching in the Adult Basic Education program two days a week. He also volunteers his time to sing and play piano for residents of local nursing homes.

With that busy schedule he still finds time to keep fit by playing golf, walking, and maintaining his lawn and vegetable garden. Tex exercises his mind as well, both by reading voraciously and taking special classes such as the algebra course he just completed at Pellissippi State.

From the nominator (entire nomination):

"Thank you for the opportunity to nominate such a deserving senior whose accomplishments, commitment, and enthusiasm serve as an inspiration to people of all ages. Thank you also for providing the means by which we can recognize the contributions of our worthy seniors."

PEGGY HEDDLESON
Oak Ridge

Peggy Heddleson's career has never slowed down, and neither has this leader in the local arts scene. At 69, she is a well-known artist whose banners earn national recognition.

She is also actively involved with the Battered Women's Shelter. She uses her artistic abilities to increase awareness of domestic violence by creating special exhibits. She is currently preparing a booklet to help other battered women's organizations create meaningful, low-cost exhibits to present their important message more effectively.

Peggy is also working on a series of felt banners featuring women in the Bible, and she works as exhibits designer at The Children's Museum in Oak Ridge.

From the nominator (entire nomination):

"We are fortunate to have Peggy Heddleson as a member of our community. Her dedication to increasing the public's awareness of mental health, social, and political issues through the arts is commendable. Her creative generosity is refreshing and very much valued."

ROBERT HARVEY, Ph.D.
Knoxville

Dr. Harvey retired from an important job, then kept right on doing it. After 37 years on the faculty and as a member of the administration of Knoxville College, he retired in 1988. Even though he retired, he never stopped his work for young people. At 76, he volunteers as a calculus teacher 10 hours a week, is a student advisor, serves on the curriculum committee, and is a member of the faculty review committee.

This dynamic educator also works to promote student involvement in the community and build leadership skills through Circle K, a college chapter of Kiwanis International. He is himself active in the Kiwanis Club of Northside Knoxville.

From the nominator (entire nomination):

"Robert Harvey is a fine example of a self-made man who uses his talents, education, and energies to help those of many generations. He reaches across the age gap to give hope and encouragement. He continues to spread love to all he meets no matter what age – a college student needing one course to graduate, a handicapped individual needing help rolling a bowling ball, a lonely person in a nursing home, or a soon-to-be widow as I was in 1993."

Senior Advocate Award Winner

JOAN REGESTER
Knoxville

Joan Regester makes a difference. She has given almost 2000 hours to the Senior Nutrition Mobile Meals program, delivering meals to home-bound older people, helping in the office, raising funds, and recruiting other volunteers.

When the Older Americans Act was being reconsidered by Congress, she worked with the area's congressional delegation to focus attention and gain support for continued funding for the program which provides 365 meals for seniors each day.

From the nominator (entire nomination):

"Vivacious Joan Regester shares herself and her unique gifts with her community on a daily basis. Whether she is delivering hot meals to home-bound older people and checking on their well being, answering phones in the hectic the Senior Nutrition Office, hand crafting beautiful quilts to cover bassinets in the Neonatal Unit at Children's Hospital, or serving as a deacon at her church, she is busy reaching out to others."