Active Aging Coalition Seeking Nominations for Birchmore Award

The Active Aging Coalition, an organization promoting physical and social activity to enhance health and happiness after age 50, will accept nominations for the 4th Annual Fred A. Birchmore Award through Friday.

The award will honor one person over 50 from the Athens area who is an inspiration to others through his or her dedication to physical or social activity to promote health and wellness in aging, according to a news release.

Nominations may be submitted by mail to the Athens Community Council on Aging office at 135 Hoyt St., Athens. Forms are available in the office or by calling 706-549-4850.

Nominations will also be accepted by email to Chris Hill at chill@accaging.org.

The winner of the 2011 Birchmore Award will be announced at the annual Active Aging Connection seminar Aug. 9 at . The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature a catered dinner, an information expo and an educational presentation. Tickets are $25 each.

Past winners of the award are: Bernadette Allard, aerobics instructor, world traveler and community volunteer; the Rev O.C. Dean, hiker, bicyclist, world traveler and volunteer; and Elaine Cress, Ph.D., kayaker, educator and co-founder of the at the University of Georgia. 

The award is named in honor of Fred A. Birchmore of Athens, who will soon celebrate his 100th birthday. Birchmore is known for constructing by hand the rock wall that borders , and still exercises regularly and participates in the Athens Kiwanis Club.