Annual Meeting of the Corporation
May 21, 2009

SeniorCare, Inc. Announces

• New Board President
• Myra L. Herrick Outstanding Older American Award
• Rosemary F. Kerry Community Service Award
• Special Lifetime Achievement Award

Video clips of the meeting

Manchester-by-the-Sea ~ SeniorCare held its 37th annual meeting at the Manchester-by-the-Sea American Legion Post on May 21st. Reverend John G. Hughes III offered the invocation, and Susan W. Thorne, Chair of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Board of Selectmen, welcomed the assembled guests to her community.

President of the Board of Directors, George Nickless, presided over the business meeting, during which Mr. Thomas Tanous, of Wenham, was voted the next President of SeniorCare, Inc. He has a long history of community service, including stints on both the Board of Selectmen and Board of Assessors in Wenham. A retired educator, Tanous is a former president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and founder of the Honor Scholars Banquet of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he is a member of the Wenham Council on Aging, Friends of the Wenham Council on Aging, and Wenham Issues of Social Service & Housing (WISSH).

This year’s recipient of the Myra L. Herrick Outstanding Older American Award is Mr. Neal Jacobs, of Rockport. This award is given annually to an individual who has made a “significant contribution to the welfare of elders in an innovative, creative, or dedicated way, or who is a role model for continuing to live an active, healthy and purposeful lifestyle”. Mr. Jacobs was nominated for the award by the Rockport Board of Selectmen, who felt that, at age 92, this long time patron of the Rockport Art Association who has contributed many hours, over several decades, volunteering for various town committees, is still a “wonderful example of an individual who takes the time to help others before himself”, and “is always working to improve life in Rockport”. As an example, on his 90th birthday, Mr. Jacobs held a birthday party for himself, turning it into a fundraiser for the Rockport Public Library gift fund, matching the guests’ donations with his own funds as his contribution.

The Rosemary F. Kerry Community Service Award went to Mr. Neiland J. Douglas, Jr., of Beverly, who was nominated by the Mayor of Beverly, William F. Scanlon, Jr. The Mayor praised Mr. Douglas’ efforts on behalf of Beverly’s low income and elderly residents, to provide one hundred seventy six affordable residential housing units at Turtle Creek and Turtle Woods. He further recognized Mr. Douglas for his public spiritedness and forward thinking, especially regarding the formation of Harborlight Community Partners, Inc. in hopes of expanding similar services to 19 communities throughout Essex County. Ms. Diana Kerry, daughter of the late Rosemary F. Kerry, was on hand to congratulate this year’s recipient, and comment on her mother’s legacy of service. The Kerry Award is given to an individual who “gives of their time, expertise, or resources, showing the highest level of community service to improve the quality of life of elders.

This year, a special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mr. Bill Rochford, who will retire this year from the post he has held as the Executive Director of Gloucester-based Action, Inc. since 1973. Action is the agency that provides many desperately needed services to residents of Greater Cape Ann, including the fuel assistance and weatherization programs. A long time advocate for elders and low income families, Bill was one of the original community organizers responsible for the funding and creation of a home care agency to meet the needs of seniors who required assistance in order to remain in their homes. That entity is now known as SeniorCare, Inc.

Video clips of the meeting

Additional Links:

• SeniorCare hands out honors
• Wenham resident Thomas Tanous voted SeniorCare president