Senior Spotlight
Senior Swimming Stars Get Awards At Astoria Pool Ceremony

Celebration Day for the citywide Senior Citizen/Special Populations summer swimming program was held last week at the Astoria Park pool where awards honoring swimmers of both sexes were given out in a ceremony held every year.

City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. (D- Astoria), a swimming enthusiast and former lifeguard, did the honors, giving out numerous awards.

The young lawmaker, who secured the funds from the City Council that make the program possible, kept up a steady stream of encouragement as he handed out the awards.

"Physical activity is vitally important to one's well-being, no matter what your age or background," Vallone declared. "Swimming and other aquatic activities are some of the most challenging cardiovascular exercise you can get. But this program proves that the pool isn't just for kids and Olympic swimmers- it's for everybody."

The swimming program was started in 1981. It was organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation, Community Board 1 and Catholic Charities to aid seniors and the disabled.

For the past quarter-century during July and August, the program has offered water aerobics, water ballet, instructional swimming and other classes to allow the many participants to take full advantage of the pool.

John Hutchins, director of aquatic activities for the Parks Department, said of the program's objectives: "The common goal is to improve quality of life through aquatic activities and physical fitness and, of course, to have fun."

Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., the incumbent lawmaker's father, who represented Astoria for about three decades, assisted the swimming program for many years. He, too, was an avid swimmer and one-time lifeguard.

FLU SHOT SEASON COMING: Members of the Middle Village Adult Center at 69-10 75th St., Middle Village, were reminded in the center's monthly bulletin to mark their calendars: Flu Shot Day is November 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Pneumonia shots will also be available at the event, sponsored by the city Department of Health.

Seniors throughout the borough should check with officials at their centers to find when their flu shot day will be.

LIFE SPAN LONGER OUTSIDE U.S.: In Andorra, a small country in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, people live an average of about 83.5 years, the longest life span of any country in the world, according to a recent Associated Press report.

The United States ranks 42nd on the list, with an average life span of just under 80 years of age. Twenty years ago, the U.S. was 11th on the list. One reason for the decline, according to researchers interviewed by the AP, was that 45 million Americans lack health insurance. Another is prevalent eating habits.

The good news is that despite a life span ranking that trails Japan and many European countries, Americans are living longer than previously. Still, there's room for improvement.