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Family Focus
SPONSORED BY BEST SOURCE CREDIT UNION
A Red, White And Blue Honor
Huntington Woods' beloved "Aunt Bess" receives an award and a ride.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer
W
earing a bright red top and red, white and
blue striped skirt, Bess Zechman dressed
the part for her ride as a special guest in this
year's Huntington Woods Fourth of July parade.
Honored as the city's Senior Citizen of the Year,
Zechman was nominated by neighbors, Julie and Eugene
Sherizen and their children, Eli, 15, and Ilana, 13. The
award was established to honor a resident age 65 years
or older "who gives unselfishly of himself or herself to
help others, or to help the community at large."
Turning 95 in November, Zechman fulfills the age
requirement, but it's how she shares her time and
impacts the younger members of the community that
really makes her worthy of the honor.
Zechman, whom the Sherizens call "a gem among us, a
one-of-a-kind dear friend who is full of spirit and deter-
mination," is affectionately referred to as "Aunt Bess" by
much of the neighborhood. She worked full time as a
dental hygienist until nine years ago, retiring at age 86.
"Still entertaining, Aunt Bess hosts a home-cooked
meal every Friday night," wrote the Sherizens in a letter
nominating Zechman for the award. "Holidays would
not be complete without Aunt Bess's homemade, from
scratch, gefilte fish or kreplach (dumplings), preparing
100 pieces or more so she will have enough to share with
all her family and friends. She has a revolving door at
her home welcoming guests, young and old, daily."
Zechman has a special relationship with the younger
members of the close-knit neighborhood. She is visited
regularly by the kids, including the Sherizen teens and
their friends, "who enjoy wonderful conversation and
learn important lessons;' Julie Sherizen said.
Friends and family, including Zechman's son, Neil, of
Birmingham, and practically the entire neighborhood
came out to the parade to cheer her on and see her
receive her award.
"It was such a thrill to share this happy time with
Bess," Sherizen said. "She deserves this and so much
more. We are very fortunate to have her in our lives."
Zechman said she was "absolutely surprised" to learn
she was named Senior Citizen of the Year.
"I couldn't believe it," she said. "It was wonderful to
have all my family, friends and neighbors there. I got to
throw candy out to all the little kids and wave my hand
like Queen Elizabeth does. I had a marvelous time'
OttiffiTINGTON-WOODS
.51iy*4th.Paradd
—
ees$ Zechrnan
SENIOR OF ME YEAR
❑
Top Right:
Bess Zechman riding in the Fourth of July parade.
Right:
Zechman's cheering section of friends and family.
Health And Fitness
Friendship Circle participants learn about cooking, gardening, working out.
T
his summer, Friendship Circle planted an
organic vegetable garden on the west end of
the Meer Family Friendship Center in West
Bloomfield.
This new garden serves as a kick off to a new sum-
mer program titled "Health & Fitness." This program
is for individuals 15 years and older. Participants help
plant, maintain and harvest the garden. In conjunc-
tion, they will be learning healthy cooking and eating
techniques alongside professional educator, Harriett
Silverman.
Jordan Levin, fitness guru and owner of CrossFit
Bloomfield, is teaching the participants how to work
out and take care of their bodies.
The program runs for five weeks on Sundays. A week
of senior camp goes through Aug. 20.
❑
Top right: Amanda Ruder and Molly Grier, both of
West Bloomfield, plant seedlings.
Right: Jordan Levin of CrossFit Bloomfield
encourages the group to work hard to get fit.
56
July 29 • 2010
Anna Gu and Jay Hodess, both of West
Bloomfield, water a raised garden bed.