Smiles were everywhere – in the eyes of the mask-wearers and on their faces when they felt comfortable enough to remove the masks.
The luncheon celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Foster Senior Club brought more than half its 100 members to Fleetwood Jourdain community Center on Aug. 17.
They all walked in – some alone, some with canes, some with walkers and some leaning on a younger member for support.
The club was formed in 1957, and members have been meeting weekly since then. The pandemic halted the in-person meetings for more than two years, so Wednesday’s get-together was especially delightful for those who for months had seen each other only via Zoom.
“It’s so nice to be together again in-person” was heard and said over and over.
Membership in the club is open to anyone 55 years or older, and the club’s roster contains octogenarians and nonagenarians. Katherine Bridges, who will be 99 in October, sat next to 103-year-old Alice Turner.
The Foster Senior Club recognized Omega Clark as its Senior of the Year. She is a member of the Second Baptist Church choir and Prime Time Players. Credit: Mary Gavin 
(From left) Shirley Bradley, Maude Wagner, Alice Turner (age 103) and Katherine Bridges (age 99) attended the Foster Senior Club’s 65th anniversary luncheon on Aug. 17. Credit: Mary Gavin 
Foster senior club members Gerri Sizemore and Rodney Greene made everyone feel welcome. Greene, former City Clerk of Evanston, led the club members in a prayer at the beginning, and Sizemore made sure everyone had a place to sit and a plate of food. Credit: Mary Gavin
The club recognized Omega Clark as senior of the year. Retired after a 43-year teaching career, Clark enjoys reading, sewing, singing in the Second Baptist Church choir and being a member of the Foster Senior Club and Prime Time Players, the partnership for senior actors with Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and North Shore Village Network.
During the program, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin read a proclamation from the County Board recognizing the club and its contributions to the community. Former Evanston Police Chief Demitrous Cook, former Mayor Stephen Hagerty and Suffredin received plaques for their service to the community.
The hearty luncheon with cake for dessert, along with the restored personal contact, allowed the meeting to stretch past 2 p.m.