May 13 , 2021 The Beacon • 19

By Josie Sellers

What is something from your childhood you wish you still had ? For some the answer is a special toy , and for others it ’ s the people you shared your memories with .

“ I wish I still had a farm set that had a barn , tractor , fence and all different kinds of animals ,” Diane McCormick said .

Larry Stahl wishes he still had his youth , and Steve Oster would love to still have his grandparents .

“ They passed away when I was really young ,” Oster said . “ I would have loved to have been able to spend time with them and really get to know them . As far as an object from my childhood , I wish I still had my metal snoopy lunch box . It is worth a lot of money now .”

Baseball cards come to mind for Tim Holder and

Alan Cornelius . “ They are worth a lot today ,” Cornelius said .

Krista Cooper loved her View-Master and still has one today . Linda Wells has special memories of a white , plastic Easter purse .

“ It held all my treasures including a 50-cent piece I had gotten from my dad for my birthday ,” Wells said . “ The purse got lost or misplaced during our move to Ohio from New Hampshire . I will wonder what happened to it to the day I die .”

For Larry Boal , it ’ s not an item but places from his youth .

“ Wills Creek of the ‘ 57-65 period with my neighborhood friends , swimming and fishing in ‘ the crick ’ and going to Vinsel ’ s store for 6-cent Whistle Pops , 5-cent bags of potato chips and 12-cent Hostess cupcakes .”

Lori Stockon wishes she still had her greatgrandma Alma and her purple bike with a glitter gold banana seat and matching streamers on the handlebars .

Carole Beck wishes she still had a 1964 costume ordered Ford Mustang . “ It was so gorgeous ,” she said , “ metallic blue with white vinyl top , Mustang on seats , wood steering wheel and wood trim on dash and console .”

Carolyn Wright wishes she still had special recordings and notes .

“ My grandmother was from England ,” she said . “ We visited her every Sunday after church . My little brothers and I recorded her so we could practice our British accent . One night I left a note for my mom at bedtime that I didn ’ t think I ’ d feel like going to school the next day . That turned into years of us leaving notes for each other every night . I ’ d love to have those tapes and especially the notes .”

Each year Ohio and the nation celebrate May as Older Americans Month . This year ’ s theme is “ Communities of Strength .” To help show the many ways older adults and their communities are linked , the Ohio Department of Aging is collecting “ Stories of Strength ” from Ohioans to share on its website and social media .

“ Stories of Strength ” may be about organizations or individuals who stepped up to overcome challenges and make sure older adults ’ needs were met , but they

also can be about how individuals reached out and connected to one another when connection meant more than anything . These are the stories that demonstrate the beneficial link between older adults and their communities .

To submit a story , visit the Ohio Department of Aging ’ s Older Americans Month website at www . bit . ly / oam-OH . The department will share excerpts of stories throughout the month on its social media and website .

The Ohio Department of Aging and Ohio ’ s aging network of area

agencies on aging , senior centers , service providers , advocates and more build and strengthen community partnerships to meet the needs of older Ohioans and provide opportunities for them to thrive and contribute .

Contact your area agency on aging to learn about available services and Older Americans Month activities . Call 1-866- 243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community or visit www . aging . ohio . gov / findservices for local contact information .