Cincinnati Hosts Inaugural 50+ Cincy Celebration

Event Honors Contributions of Cincy’s fastest-growing population

CINCINNATI – More than 300 people attended the City of Cincinnati’s inaugural 50+ Cincy Celebration Wednesday, May 16 at Fountain Square. The event featured a variety of games, giveaways and entertainment focused on the theme of “Living Well.”

• EVENT PHOTOS
• WMKV INTERVIEW

Council member PG Sittenfeld, who initiated the City’s Golden Cincinnati Initiative, read a special proclamation from Mayor John Cranley declaring May 16 as “50+ Cincy Celebration Day” in Cincinnati.

Part of the festivities included several members of Cincinnati City Council presenting 50+ Persons of the Year awards to Cincinnatians who do great things for the city and the people who live here. This year’s recipients:

• P. Eric Abercrumbie, Ph.D – Current Executive Director for Special Initiatives and Community Relations for the Student Affairs Division at the University of Cincinnati. He has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Africana Studies in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences. He is a former board member of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission.
• Marge Hammelrath – Engaged in Over-the-Rhine for over 40 years. She helped form the OTR Chamber of Commerce and the OTR Foundation. She served in the Director position at Memorial Hall and played an instrumental role in raising the funds needed for its recent restoration. Everyone knows the “OTR Mom.”
• Steve Sunderland, Ph.D – Professor of peace and educational studies in the Educational Studies Program at the University of Cincinnati. He has also been a professor of social work in UC's school of social work. Dr. Sunderland has concentrated on peace education and its link to urban reform by founding an organization, Peace Village, and developing training programs for teachers, social workers, religious leaders, governmental officials, and police.
• Joe Zielinski – A volunteer through People Working Cooperatively’s volunteer home repair program for more than 15 years, and continues to donate at least one day each week to help meet the home repair and maintenance needs of seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cincinnati.

“Cincinnati and our partners are excited to celebrate our residents over the age of 50,” said Acting City Manager Patrick Duhaney. “This group has had a tremendous impact on making Cincinnati what it is, and continues to enrich our community through volunteer work, commitment to their neighborhoods, and serving as role models.”

Programming took place throughout the day at the Square. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission operated a Fun Zone with different games and activities, and the Cincinnati Fire Department brought a fire truck to Fountain Square for a photo-op. WMKV radio played music, and the College Hill Jazzy Seniors danced and invited the crowd to join them.

More than 20 exhibitors took part and provided giveaways and important information for how Cincinnati-based seniors can “live well” in our community. One lucky individual even walked away with a grand prize – a $250 Kroger gift card.

“Holding this event helps the City show support for our growing 50-plus population,” said Jon Lawniczak, Chief Advocacy Officer for Aging and Accessibility for the City of Cincinnati. “We appreciated the over 300 people that joined us on Fountain Square for a fun time and to celebrate some incredible Cincinnatians.”

A special thank you to the event sponsor, Episcopal Retirement System. Other partners include AARP, Queen City Homecare and WMKV/WLHS.

You can learn more at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/manager/aging-and-accessibility/