All the fun stuff!

 Welcome to a column where YOU are spotlighted, treasured, and looked at in a whole new light! No longer are you the “invisible senior,” but rather the whole person that came before the person we see today. 

Cheers To You In Memorium Parkes Johnson By Kathy Connolly and Lori Howard

 In writing about our local seniors, I generally take readers though the life and times of our celebrated “senior of the month” by highlighting their early years, their work, retirement, and what brought them to our foothills. In this case, it is the closing of Parkes life that can give us all a lesson on humanity, humility, and the value of community. Rest in peace, Parkes Johnson, and thank you for this simple reminder of our goodness. Reverend Parkes Johnson devoted 35 years as a minister at several churches in the United States, ending up in the San Francisco Bay area for many years. In retirement, Parkes became an adult education teacher. Kathy, Parkes' wife of 28 years, was also an adult education teacher, as well as a Director at four different bay area Senior Centers. Their lives were full and challenging. Page 19 When retirement rolled around, Kathy and Parkes had the opportunity to move closer to their favorite place, Yosemite. Oakhurst was perfect for the new life they were craving. They spent their early retirement time camping and skiing, joined a local hiking group, and taught English as a Second Language classes at the Oakhurst Library. Frequent house guests and the love of world cruises rounded out their busy retirement. Caretaking entered their lives when they brought Kathy’s mother to Oakhurst to live with them. This gift of time with mom brought joy to their lives, but also unintentionally limited their ability to enjoy their new community and maintain local friendships. Then Covid and lockdowns hit, and Parkes began showing signs of dementia. Life got smaller for awhile. When the Oakhurst Sierra Senior Center (SSC) and the Senior Lunch Program reopened after Covid, Kathy and Parkes became lunchtime regulars at SSC. All it took was that first call to reserve their lunches for the next day. No credit card, no questions, nutritionally balanced lunches, and other active seniors to meet and enjoy. Kathy says they felt instantly welcomed, and everyone accepted Parkes’ Page 20 obvious signs of dementia with grace. Kathy got the freedom to chat with many different people and share meals with Parkes and new friends without worrying so much about Parkes. These lunch gatherings became a large part of Parkes’ every day enjoyment until he passed in August 2025, and remain an important support group for Kathy. She relishes meeting people who have had similar experiences and who can be a valuable resource for community information and activities. As Kathy says, “We're here to support each other along the way.” People need people, and she wants you to know that SSC is here for you. Come visit – it can make a difference in your life and other senior lives. For more information regarding the Eastern Madera County Lunch program please email emrap.seniorlunch@gmail.com or call 559-460- 3431. You will be glad you did. 

Welcome to Sierra Senior Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of senior citizens in the Eastern Madera County area. Our mission is to organize and promote education, nutrition, health, and overall well-being for our cherished community of seniors.

We go beyond just fostering well-being; we strive to create bonds of friendship, goodwill, and mutual understanding among our members, extending these values to all seniors in the region. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to open communication and the sharing of experiences.

As active community contributors, we take a keen interest in the civic, cultural, and social welfare of our area. Sierra Senior Center serves as a platform for open discussions on matters of public interest, creating an inclusive space for voices to be heard.

Join us in our journey to build a thriving community where every senior citizen can flourish, connect, and enjoy the richness of life. Welcome to Sierra Senior Center – where every moment matters!

 Navigating to Sierra Senior Center is a breeze! Once you spot the Oakhurst Community Center, head left at their entrance onto Cinder Lane. Follow the road along the parking lot and a dirt parking area. As you continue, a Baseball Field will appear on your right, and voila – our entrance is right in front of you. No need for detours; just follow these simple directions, and you'll be with us in no time! And, to make things even easier, we've included a map for you. See you soon!