There are no two ways about it (to quote an old folks' saying). The past week has been a fabulous one for Bermuda's "Seniors". Some have openly said that it could hardly have been better. They were thoroughly entertained, dined, danced some were singled out for special honours and all shown in their best social and cultural straight.

It has all happened under the umbrella of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs that comes under the Ministry of the Hon. Neletha Butterfield. The Minister said her department believes seniors must be "cherished and honoured, most specially because they are repositories of knowledge, life experiences and wisdom".

It was 24 years ago that the Department initiated its Seniors Week, with an awards presentation. That took place at Hamilton City Hall Theatre. Each year since then a new dimension has been added, resulting in a graduation for the first time this year to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel where most of the events were held.

Some of the highlights at the Princess on different days were a gala Fashion Show and Tea, a Jazz Concert and Seniors Gospel Concert. There was also a Craft Exhibition Competition.

Other seniors events are planned for the ensuing months with an invitation extended to all seniors in the country to come out enjoy the fun, food and fellowship. The next big event is the seniors cruise aboard The Bermudian, said the Department's Senior Cultural Affairs Officer, Mrs. Heather Whalen.

She also gave credit for the huge success of this year's celebrations to Mrs. Jeannie Isaac and her voluntary assistants drawn from presidents of each of the many seniors clubs around the island.

In addition to the 40-odd persons singled out for the 2010 Honours, there were five Special Couples and five Centenarians named.

Following are the Honorees, whose biographies were published in a Senior Citizens Booklet:

Dr. Barbara Ball, F. John Barritt, Phyllis Blyden, Sylvia Louise Caines, Oliver Burch, E. Caisey (posthumous), Iris Doughty, M. Henrietta Douglas (posthumous), Harold G. Dowling, Myrtle Edness, Beatrice Faries, Mary Albertha Hollis, Elizabeth Isaac, James Johnson, Lorraine K. Jones, Helen Mateen.

Also, Daisy Leona Tavares McMaster (posthumous), Rosalind Albertha Minors, Reginald D. Monish, Melviena Musson, Marilyn Riley Philip, Eunice Pitt, Edith M.D. Richardson, Valerie M. Riley, Mark Robinson, George Donald Scott, Eula Ivy Simmons, Faith (Peggy) Simmons, Lois Simmons, May Smith, June Swan, Doris White, Adella Williams.

Special couples

Ronald Sr. & Joan Bean, Albert & Barbara Dyer; Joseph E. & Sandra P. Moniz; Kenneth & Gloria Simmons; Melvin & Rev. Yvonne Thompson

Centenarians

Christabell L. Cann (posthumous), Carrie Muriel Janett Crawford; Ianthia D. Douglas, Clarice Lindley and Rosalind L. Robinson