“We Are Family,” Westchester County’s 40th annual Salute to Seniors on April 30, will feature new attractions, traditional favorites and nostalgic music from TV-family programs and Broadway shows from decades past.

The extravaganza will take place at the County Center in White Plains from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last year’s Salute drew almost 2,000 seniors and more are expected this year. 

The Family Funsters Band will play theme songs from hit programs about TV families over the past 40 years such as “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “The Andy Griffith Show” and “All in the Family.”

The Westchester Senior Orchestra and Chorale will perform Sister Sledge’s rendition of “We Are Family” as well as selections from “Hair” and “Promises, Promises,” which both opened on Broadway in 1968. Songs from “Auntie Mame,” which opened in 1966 and ran through 1971, will be on the program, too.

Ruby red is the color scheme for this year’s Salute, in keeping with the gemstone associated with 40th anniversary celebrations. 

The Salute will also feature its popular mainstays:  50 booths in the Business Expo, 23 booths from government agencies that provide services which directly affect seniors’ lives, 17 health screenings at the Health and Wellness Fair and 11 booths at the arts and crafts fair that will display handmade items.

All seniors are welcome to bring their families and join the fun.

“No one should miss the Salute to Seniors,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “It’s long been one of the county’s most popular events, and the fact that it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary underscores the staying power of its appeal. The Salute is also a great opportunity to learn about the wide variety of services Westchester offers its seniors.”
 The Salute is jointly sponsored by the county’s departments of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), Transportation and Parks, Recreation and Conservation as well as by the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.

Admission and parking at the County Center are free, and seniors can ride the Bee-Line buses and the ParaTransit system that day at no charge.

“All seniors should circle April 30 on their calendars,” said DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter.  “The Salute showcases in one day just some of what Westchester offers its seniors throughout the year.  It’s also a terrific opportunity to get out, socialize and meet new people.

“Even if you just can join us for part of the day,” she said, “it will be worth your time.” 

Parks Commissioner Joe Stout said the Salute combines the resources of three departments to offer seniors a wide variety of information that can directly enhance their lives, and it’s a lot of fun.  “What’s more, it’s all under one roof,” Stout said. “What could be better?”

The Department of Transportation will again offer “orientation” tours on a Bee-Line bus, including demonstrations on how to safely board and get off. Participants will receive jars of honey.

Seniors will also be able to sign up for the Reduced-Fare MetroCard, which is a photo ID card that can also be used to conveniently pay for transit rides. “Seniors have enjoyed considerable benefits since MetroCard was introduced just over a year ago,” said Transportation Commissioner Larry Salley.  “We hope more seniors will sign up so they can also benefit.”

New attractions at the Health and Wellness Fair will include a representative from the Westchester SPCA who will talk about pet therapy and bring a therapy dog. There will also be instruction on proper balance and how to prevent falls as well as a chance to learn more about the increasingly popular trend of mental “calisthenics” and memory exercises people are using to keep their brains agile as they age.

Among the screenings conducted by health-care professionals will be ones for blood pressure, osteoporosis risk, diabetes, oral cancer and vision and glaucoma.  The fair will also include tips on nutrition and demonstrations of tai chi exercises to maintain good health. 

An Information and Assistance booth will give a demonstration of the “benefitscheckup.com” computer program, which can help seniors determine if they are eligible for more than 1,100 entitlements.
   
Seniors can also learn about the Westchester’s new “Take Back the Medication” campaign to safely dispose of leftover or expired medications. 

The Westchester-Rockland Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association, which made its debut at the 2007 Salute is returning this year.  “Our participation in last year’s event was a great success,” said Koshy Chacko, the chapter’s vice president.   Chacko said that at the 2007 Salute the chapter prepared and served samples of vegetable and chicken wraps to 600 seniors and distributed 3,000 coupons,  many of which were redeemed , to use at  local restaurants, such as offers to “buy one entrée, get the second at half-price.”

The chapter will serve wraps and hand out coupons again this year. Also, chapter members will talk with seniors, point out the healthy choices on their menus and welcome suggestions for other options.

The wraps are part of County Executive Spano’s “Be Fit Westchester” initiative, and show that healthy food can be delicious and easy to make. Also, because of the “Be Fit” campaign, more and more Westchester restaurants have stopped using artery-clogging cooking oils that contain transfats. 

Among the local companies and non-profit organizations taking part in the Business Expo will be the Arthritis Foundation, AARP, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, David Lerner Associates, Doctors United, Dorot Inc., Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Loft: The Lesbian and Gay Community Center and the Westchester Broadway Theater. There will also be a booth for New York Connects, a new state initiative that lets callers obtain information about long-term care for seniors and disabled adults and children by dialing one toll-free number.

Representatives from agencies on the federal, state and county level will be on hand to answer questions.  Just a few are the U.S. Department of Labor, the N.Y. State Office of the Attorney General and the county departments of health, consumer protection and veteran services. Westchester Community College will provide details about its Mainstream program for mature adults.

Counselors from DSPS’ Family Caregiver Support Program and the Coalition on Hispanic Aging will be at the Salute as well.

The Salute’s popular arts and crafts fair will have handmade items for sale that were made by seniors at senior centers and senior apartment buildings throughout the county.  With Mother’s Day around the corner, a stop at these booths just might offer some perfect gift ideas.