The 14th Annual Silver Strider Awards Party

 

Silver online presents 

 

The 14th Annual Silver Strider Awards Party

 

1/13/24 – Tacoma 

It was just like the Covid pandemic never happened. The good old days returned. We had a great turnout at our favorite location, The Olde Spaghetti Factory in Tacoma.

The mood was festive as Silver Striders arrived, greeting each other with hugs and smiles. Starved for the camaraderie enjoyed only sporadically during the past three years, runners talked excitedly about their experiences during 2023 and the awards they were about to receive. 

The invitations designated that the start of the festivities would be at 11:30 a.m. Right on time the attendees began pouring into the banquet room.

 

 

After a period of greeting and visiting, I asked those present to be seated at 12:15 p.m.

I asked for a moment of silence for three Hall of Fame members who departed during 2023, Betty Dietrich, Jim Dollar and Karen Lichtenstein.

Then, I called for a lunch recess and our servers began taking food orders.

Reconvening the program a little after one o’clock, I told a couple of jokes.

A penguin went into a bar. He went up to the bartender and asked, “Have you seen my brother?”
The bartender replied, “I don’t know, what does he look like?”

Jack Benny left the studio after work and was walking in the parking lot toward his Maxwell.
A man stepped from the shadows and poked a gun in Jack’s ribs.
“Your money or your life” the man whispered.
Jack stood frozen and silent.
“Are you deaf?”, the man asked, poking the gun harder into Jack’s ribs. “I said, your money or your life!”
Jack remained still as a statue and silent as the grave.
Now the man was shouting. “Last chance! Your money or your life!”
Finally, Jack spoke, “I’m thinking about it! I’m thinking about it!”

After the tumultuous laughter (I wish) died down, I made introductions. Bruce Fisher, Photographs. Diane Martin, room reservations, table arrangements and trophy presentations. Molly Childs, drawing prizes. And Nanci Larsen room decorations. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning with the older runners first, we called up the Series finishers and Diane presented their trophies. The winners grouped for photos by Bruce.
 

 

The drawings were extensive and the tickets were drawn at 30 second intervals to give the winners time to get to the prize table and grab the prize of their choice.

 

 

Two happy drawing winners were John Phillips who grabbed a beautiful silver bracelet for his bride and a smiling Ray Arrington who picked the Silver Strider Magazine surprise envelope containing $50 in cash. 

 

 

Next, we came to the Dave Sherman Series achievement awards.  There were two achievement awards offered.
The first was for any runner who would complete races at all distances, 5k, 10k, 4mile, 12k and Half Marathon. Four runners accomplished this feat. They were, Judy Fisher, Steve Husko, Karl Johnson and Kimmer Muenz. 
The second achievement award was for anyone who could complete all 16 5k’s in the series. No one won this award, but Gretchen Ramsdell received honorable mention for completing 15 out of 16 5k’s.

 

 

Next was the presentation to Mr. and Ms. Grand Prix for 2023. This award goes to the Silver Striders who complete the most Grand Prix Series races during 2023. The last time we gave this award was on January 11, 2021. It was awarded to Judy Fisher and Steve Husko.
One month later, Covid struck and races became virtual or cancelled. 
Now we are back, once again in January, three years later. And once again Mr. and Ms. Grand Prix are Judy and Steve.

The winners:
Ms. Grand Prix – 2023 is Judy Fisher. Judy was winning this title for the fourth time.
Mr. Grand Prix – 2023 is Steve Husko. Steve was winning this title for the seventh time.

Finally, we came to the highest award the silver Strider Magazine awards each year. This award can only be won once by a Silver Strider. Past winners were, Kay V. Ladd 2016, Bruce Fisher 2017, Charlea Sherman 2018, Alan Walker 2019, Karen Lichtenstein 2020.

Because of Covid curtailed some of our awards in ’21 and ’22, we brought the Silver Strider of the Year awards current by presenting awards for 2021, 2022 and 2023. The winners were:

 

 Silver Strider Of the Year for 2021 – Audrey Kirkwood

 

Silver Strider Of the Year for 2022 – Molly Childs

 

Silver Strider Of the Year for 2023 – Diane Martin

The party was officially concluded, and the runners adjourned to the entrance breezeway for the group photo.