THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502140123
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Dressed in his finest blue suit and biggest smile, 68-year-old Howard Sutton stepped into the middle of a giant heart decorated with red paper flowers.
A friend, Angeline Brown, snuggled up next to him, and the two struck a pose for the photographer.
A group of women dressed in red and black polka dots, burgundy velvet and pink lace anxiously waited nearby for their turns in front of the camera.
After the flash, Sutton and Brown headed to the dance floor, where dozens of seniors dressed in their finery were swinging across the room in formation to the song ``The Electric Slide,'' being belted out by the Al Vincent Band. Silver streamers, red and white hearts, pink balloons and arrow-wielding paper cupids filled the room.
As Sutton and his partner tried to navigate through all the festive clothing and Valentine frills, Gordon Washburn, who was seated among the crowd of about 600 gathered at the Virginia National Guard Armory, stopped the two as they passed.
``You do us men good,'' Washburn said to Sutton with a shake of the hand.
``Thanks, it feels so good being the only male sweetheart,'' Sutton quipped back.
At the Norfolk Department of Parks and Recreation's annual ``Sweethearts on Parade'' program held Feb. 9, Sutton was, in fact, the one man honored among 37 seniors selected for recognition.
Each year, area churches, recreation centers, nursing homes, retirement residences and other facilities single out an individual who is active and deserving of the honor. According to Jean Saunders, the event's coordinator, showcasing active role models each year gives senior citizens throughout Norfolk a great opportunity to socialize with one another.
``They really look forward to being together and doing something active,'' said Saunders, a recreation supervisor. ``We've been having this for at least 10 years, and it just gets bigger every year.''
For many of the seniors, however, it was the first time they had been singled out for doing ``what comes naturally.''
Earlier in the week, Sutton had placed second in an informal election among residents at Thornton Hall. When the leading contender had to bow out, Sutton, a retired Norfolk State University foreman, took her place as the honoree.
``He's such a good choice, because he stays so active,'' explained Brown, the activities director at Thornton Hall. ``He sings in his church choir; he still goes to football games. He helps me wheel patients back and forth to activities. He takes care of our two birds and walks our dog. He wants to help people in whatever way he can. He's just a real inspiration.''
``Since I've come this far, I just can't sit down,'' Sutton explained. ``It makes me happy knowing I'm helping somebody along.''
During this year's festivities, the rewards of staying active and giving to others were recurring themes among the honorees.
``If you keep your mind open to all the things that are happening, you're certain to stay young at heart,'' noted Marguerite Washburn, East Ocean View Recreation Center's sweetheart.
Added Arlethia Elliott, Messiah Presbyterian Church's sweetheart and a church deacon: ``You can't just sit back in a rocking chair and do nothing. You have to continue to look for new challenges; to reach higher and higher and make use of today, so tomorrow will be better for everyone.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Martha Collins and Bob Baker dance at ``Sweethearts on Parade.''
by CNB