By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
Audience members clapped along as 101-year-old Bob Delk played folk music and classic country songs alongside his group, "Bob Delk and Friends," on the Stiefel Theatre stage for the inaugural Sunflower Seniors Got Talent Show Monday evening.
The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) kicked off its yearly celebration with a new addition — the Sunflower Seniors Got Talen Show, which featured musicians and artists ranging from age 65 to more than 100.
Some participants included 'Bob Delk and Friends,' the 'Pine Village Players,' 'Charming Chimers' and Hays musician Bob Dreiling. Dave Lewis, the host of NewsRadio's KMAN Morning Show, announced the talent show.
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The Sunflower Seniors Got Talent Show
Each $10 ticket for the talent show fundraised for some of NC-FH AAA's programs like Friendship Meals, Medicare benefits, counseling and other services for older Kansans and caregivers.
Lewis, also the K-State Football announcer at Bill Snyder Family Stadium from 2006 - 2021, kicked off the show.
"It's a great opportunity just to sit back and enjoy a night of really cheap entertainment," Lewis said.
After Julie Govert Walter, executive director of NC-FH AAA, informed the audience of NC-FH AAA's ongoing programs, the performance began with Bob Dreiling from Hays, KS, singing the National Anthem.
As the night continued, performances ranged from music to comedy acts, with the oldest performer, Bob Delk from 'Bob Delk and Friends' from Marion County, at 101.
"This sounded fun, and I'm geriatric too, so this interested me," said Bonnie Smith, a visitor from Pittsburg, KS. "It's been a good time."
The Sunflower Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 19
On Tuesday, NC-FH AAA began the Sunflower Fair at Tony's Pizza Event Center, where speakers, informational exhibits, health screenings, auctions and live music performers entertained patrons of the event.
"What we produce with the Sunflower Fair is a one-day event that features trustworthy information presented in an easy-to-understand way," Walter said.
The last speaker to close out the event was Marci Penner, the executive director of the Kansas Sampler, who presented her second iteration of 'The Kansas Guidebook' at the Sunflower Fair.
Penner encouraged the audience to utilize the guidebook to create their own Kansas road trips and enjoy the journey.
"It's not just about getting to your destination — you have to enjoy the road there too," Penner said. "And there's plenty of stops to go out and see."
The Sunflower Fair provided 13 varied workshops throughout the day, covering topics like cybersecurity, information on Medicare benefits and gardening.
Alongside the workshops, NC-FH AAA invited trusted businesses in the region to inform patrons of their organizations' services.
"Our focus is on helping older Kansans and people living with disabilities and their caregivers," Walter said. "And anyone who helps celebrate many more birthdays, come to this place."