July 11, 2001
Simmons receives eminent senior award
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Ninety-one years young, Margaret 'Peg' Simmons received the Very Cherry Distinguished Senior Award Monday morning during a breakfast at the Oleson Center that began a week of senior activities for the National Cherry Festival.
A committee of local judges chose Simmons from a field of five area seniors nominated for this first annual award.
Other nominees were Alice Gates, Terry Paddock, Maxine Meach and Charlene Selkirk, each of whom stood out as dedicated community volunteers in a broad range of areas ranging from Make-A-Wish Foundation to the Michigan Lupus Association to the Grand Traverse Area Children's Garden.
The self-described 'little old lady' was both pleased and amazed to be selected for the award.
"I was really surprised [to be chosen] when I heard what some of the others have done," said Simmons, who has been a volunteer with Red Cross chapters wherever she has lived for 86 years. "They are all winners because anyone who volunteers does it from the heart, not the head."
Simmons, a 17-year resident of Traverse City, has a reputation as being unstoppable - and the one to call if you want something done. Like championing the City Opera House restoration, finding funds for thermal imaging cameras for local police departments and securing the local Red Cross chapter's disaster recovery van, affectionately known as 'Peg's Truck.' And that special signature on the truck?
"I thought the Secret Service were going to have a heart attack when Peg stopped their motorcade to get Elizabeth Dole to get out and sign it," recalled State Representative Jason Allen of Dole's visit a few years ago.
Allen presented Simmons with a proclamation signed by Governor John Engler, State Senator George McManus and himself. Simmons also received an engraved plaque, a limited edition National Cherry Festival print, a gift basket and a dozen red roses. Simmons will also ride in the Very Cherry Distinguished Senior car in the Heritage Parade on Thursday and the Cherry Royale parade on Saturday.
The Very Cherry Distinguished Senior Breakfast drew 150 people and kicked off a week of senior events at the National Cherry Festival. The popularity of the event, which was sponsored by the Grand Traverse Pavilions and Traverse City Light & Power, has organizers calling the award and breakfast a new tradition in town.
"This award is something that is long overdue," said Albert Quick, assistant director of Cherry Festival senior citizen activities. "We want to recognize every year the contributions of the area's senior citizens. This year we recognized five individuals who have truly made a significant citizen contribution to the community."
Judges narrowed the field of 12 nominees down to five, each having the same five on their list, said Greg Piaskowski, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging. The next step, choosing only one to recognize out of the five, was a challenging one for the five-member panel.
"That's when it got a little bit hard, picking out one winner," he said. "But when we looked at a combination of age, attitude and getting things done, it was Peg."