THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605300196
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Prime Time
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: 74 lines
Desiree Mitchell is not going to schedule any more important events on a Thursday night.
Out of the 160 invitations she mailed to long-term care facilities in and around Hampton Roads for the second annual Golden Fork Award, only 13 responded in the affirmative. The Golden Fork Award is a cook-off for chefs in those facilities to showcase their culinary talents.
But seven of those 13 canceled at the last minute. So did four of the seven judges. Mitchell, activity director at Marian Manor Retirement Community, mused that Thursday nights are busy for facilities as well as the judges (a few of whom are restaurant chefs). Marian Manor hosted the event because it won the award last year.
``Next year I think the contest should be held on a Monday or a Tuesday night,'' said Mitchell. ``But we still had about 100 people watch the cook-off and everybody sampled food.''
This year's top honors went to an out-of-town facility, the Hidenwood in Newport News, for a baked-chicken dish. Manning Convalescent Center in Portsmouth entered a paella dish of seafood, rice and vegetables that won Best Presentation and the People's Choice award. A beef tenderloin dinner by the Chambrel in Williamsburg wowed the audience while Georgian Manor in Chesapeake baked a ``pretty tasty'' broccoli corn bread.
Thornton Hall in Norfolk entered a ``delicious'' dessert pudding with kiwi and strawberries. Mitchell was put out that Marian Manor's scrumptious shrimp and crab-stuffed flounder fillet with new potatoes and a squash medley didn't even place. Some of the facilities' chefs had prepared the meals in advance and warmed them up in Marian Manor's kitchen. Others, like the Hidenwood, made their meals fresh.
The food was judged based on appearance and taste by three professionals: Art Elvins, an instructor at Johnson and Wales University; Lt. Martin David Gregg, food service officer at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base; and David J. Freeman, owner and operator of Plaza Bakery.
``The Golden Fork is such a neat idea. Sometimes nursing homes get negative publicity,'' said Mitchell. ``Food is the No. 1 criticism and complaint. This does let people know that our facilities have wonderful food.''
The winning facility gets to hang The Golden Fork Award, a big wooden plaque, for a year. Its name will be engraved on the little nameplate underneath's Marian Manor's name. Manning Convalescent Center hosted the event the first year.
IF YOU THINK YOU'RE TOO OLD to get in shape, just visit a local gym or recreation center. Those places are swarming with fit seniors who could put their younger counterparts to shame.
As any doctor will tell you, regular physical activity of 30 minutes a day can stave off cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure and depression.
But if you've never exercised before or are a little too shy to wear spandex in front of strangers, you might want to participate in the third annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Tuesday. Sentara Village in Norfolk is serving as the official host site for Hampton Roads' seniors who will take part in fun activities throughout the day.
Barb Ackison, activity director for the center, said that the free event will feature wheelchair races, softball hit and throw, bean bag toss, bowling, card games, dancing, walking and croquet. Everyone who participates will be given something and winners will receive prizes. A picnic lunch and refreshments will be served. About 250 to 300 people are expected to attend.
The National Senior Health and Fitness Day is usually held in May in honor of Older Americans Month. Sites nationwide have hosted the event in May with an estimated 100,000 seniors participating. But Ackison was able to receive a special waiver because this area's Senior Olympics took up much of the month of May. The people at Mature Market Resource Center, who coordinate the event, said it would be no problem.
``The event is geared to the Senior Olympics theme with the activities and opening ceremonies,'' Ackison said. ``We even have the torch from the 1984 Olympics.
``We hope to bring attention to the need for physical fitness among older adults,'' she added. ``And that you can have fun doing it.'' by CNB