Sheriff hosts picnic to honor seniors
By Mary Pritchard Contributing Writer

Richard Perron of Northborough receives the 2007 Veteran's Service Award from Sheriff Guy Glodis at the third annual "Tribute to Senior Citizens" picnic held at SAC Park in Shrewsbury Aug. 11. PHOTO/MARY PRITCHARD

Shrewsbury - It was a perfect summer day for a picnic when approximately 1,000 senior citizens gathered at SAC Park in Shrewsbury as Sheriff Guy Glodis hosted the annual "Tribute To Senior Citizens" picnic Aug. 11.

The annual picnic honoring seniors has been a longtime tradition, with some new additions since Glodis began hosting the event three years ago.

The event, sponsored by the Worcester County Deputy Sheriff's Association as well as local businesses, invites all senior citizens in Worcester County to come together and be treated to a day just for them.

"Every year I look forward to the opportunity to give back to our seniors that have given so much to us over decades," Glodis said.

Guests at the picnic enjoyed a barbecue lunch, live entertainment, bingo games, raffles and door prizes, and antique cars on display, along with receiving information on programs through the sheriff 's office designed specifically for senior citizens.

This year's picnic began with recognition of senior veterans and the 2007 Veteran's Service Award was presented to Northborough resident Richard Perron.

According to the sheriff 's office, Perron is a veteran of both World War II, where he served with the Navy, and the Korean War, where he served with the Air Force. Perron received a Navy commendation for his eff orts on D-Day and is currently the veterans agent for Shrewsbury, Grafton and Northborough.

Noticeably missing this year was a longtime Senior Picnic volunteer Thomas P. Zekos of Shrewsbury. According to his son, Paul T. Zekos, who has emceed the picnic for more tan 10 years, Thomas has been active as a volunteer and director of special events for the Worcester County Deputy Sheriff 's Association for more than 40 years under four different sheriff s. He is currently recovering from surgery, and his son reported that he's looking forward to being back at the picnic next year.

Event organizers have expanded on the traditional picnic with some new additions, including the antique cars and the Veteran's Service Award, as well as providing information about new safety programs for local seniors.

"We can't forget our senior population and we have tried to re-invent the sheriff 's office to be more pro-active in our communities," Glodis explained. "One of those reforms has been the initiation of the TRIAD Program."

Keith Mitchell, of the sheriff 's office, explained the program.

"Based on a national model, TRIAD brings together the sheriff 's department, local police chief, and local Council on Aging director in an equal three-way partnership (hence, the TRIAD)," Mitchell said. "They in turn identify a SALT [Seniors And Lawmen Together] Council, who meets regularly and identifies potential programs that would address senior citizen public safety concerns. Worcester County TRIAD, under which all SALT councils operate, was essentially nonexistent before Sheriff Glodis became sheriff in January 2005.

"Since then, the Worcester County Sheriff 's Office has helped create new SALT councils in New Braintree, Charlton/Southbridge, Upton, North Brookfield, Dudley, Grafton, Sutton and more on the way."