Sep 1, 2015 | award, events, healthy eating, Independent Living, Uncategorized
4th Annual Senior Awards Friday, September 25, 2015 at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Ninety seven year old Tao Porchon-Lynch has set the world on fire and has been covered by media around the globe from CNN, NBC and CBS to BBC, AlJazeera and India Times. Her YouTube videos have garnered almost 1 million views and counting! Since she started dancing competitively at the age of 87, she has won over 600 first-place awards. On top of that, she marched with Mahatma Gandhi – twice. Master Yoga Teacher, former model/actress/producer, award-winning dancer, lifelong activist and wine connoisseur… be inspired by her words, her presence and her footwork.
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Feb 16, 2015 | award, events, seniors, Sponsors, Uncategorized
I was inspired by a speech many years ago where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated “Life’s Most Persistent and Urgent Question Is: What Are You Doing For Others?” Five years ago, I founded Gregory’s Fresh Market because I was committed and passionate about wanting to help improve lives for seniors. I was honored to be recognized for our work in serving over 6,000 seniors by providing them with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition and fitness education at the 29th Annual Living the Dream Dr. MLK Jr. Awards Breakfast on Friday, January 16. Gregory’s Fresh Market was the recipient of the 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the 
Dream Award. Many thanks to Sara Presler, President and CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women for the nomination. The event was sponsored by the Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
Celebration Committee and supported by the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/01/13/phoenix-honor-mlk-breakfast/21710875/
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Feb 1, 2015 | Uncategorized
As we begin a new year in earnest, I would like to recap 2014 to build upon these experiences and achievements to reach even greater heights for 2015. Thanks to the countless volunteers, sponsors, supporters, Service Coordinators, Celebrated Seniors and all of the unheralded but vital part of the Gregory fresh Market team. We salute you. Thank you.
Gregory’s Fresh Market (GFM) is a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services. It provides Arizona’s seniors with on-site farmers markets to further the nutrition, education and fitness of this critical yet often neglected segment of our population. In the month of December alone, Gregory’s Fresh Market provided free bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to more than 2,000 seniors in Arizona’s high-need areas. The seniors were very appreciative of their early Christmas presents. For the fourth year, GFM achieved another milestone in its holiday food drive program for seniors. We expanded the Holiday Food Drive for seniors by 67%.
We thank Living Spirit, shown in the photo with Diana Gregory, for donating their talents to provide entertainment and joy by singing Christmas carols with the seniors at Maryvale Parkway Terrace senior apartments. Living Spirit is a group of music ministers devoted to performing spirit filled music to a wide variety of audiences.
We’re very grateful to ONECare by Care1st Health Plan of Arizona, Southwest Airlines and Walgreens for their support as Presenting sponsors for the GFM senior holiday food drive program. Funds raised from the Third Annual Senior Awards program in September 2014 made it possible for GFM to expand the food program to 30 locations. Young or old, the joy of the Christmas season is infectious.
During other months of the year, we consistently delivered affordable superior quality fresh fruits and vegetables monthly to the senior citizen complexes we serve. We also participated in health fairs, nutrition, health and exercise workshops to further advance the health and well-being of our seniors, and provided the farmers market for Senior Days at Walgreens.
In September, we held our Third Annual Senior Awards luncheon where we honored and celebrated the achievements of some extraordinary individuals such as Mr. Calvin Good, recipient of the Dick Gregory Humanitarian Award. Mr. Goode served eleven consecutive terms from 1972 to 1994 as a member of the Phoenix City Council, longer than any other person ever. He dedicated his life to promoting education and the advancement of civil rights. He is an advocate for bringing affordable housing options to seniors.
We also recognized Guinness World Record holder and Baltimore, MD native, Ernestine Shepherd as the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Fitness Award. Our organization encourages seniors to exercise along with eating healthy, which is an Ernestine Shepherd mantra. In her Baltimore community, Mrs. Shepherd leads exercise classes at the Union Memorial United Methodist Church, and works as a personal trainer in her community. She has appeared on Dr. Oz and the Oprah Winfrey show. Ernestine or “Ernie”, as she is affectionately known, is the type of role model that inspires audiences of all ages. Imagine the audience reaction when in the middle of her acceptance speech Ernie took off her warm-up jacket, got on the floor for a series of one-arm push-ups.
Our third award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Dr. Gladys McGarey. Dr. McGarey is the internationally recognized Mother of Holistic Medicine. She is board certified in Holistic and Integrated Medicine and ran a family practice for more than sixty years. She is the co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association and the co-founder of the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine. She was the first to utilize acupuncture in the U.S. and trained other physicians how to use it. The Holistic movement of today owns Dr. McGarey recognition to this tremendous contribution to health and wellness.
Save the date for the Fourth Annual Senior Awards Luncheon on Friday, September 25 at The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix. GFM is celebrating our 5th year anniversary and have many exciting plans.
Sincerely,
Diana Gregory
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Sep 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
BIOGRAPHY
If you ever wanted real-world proof that age is nothing but a number, meet Ernestine Shepherd. With her flat stomach, toned arms and excellent health, you’d never guess that this female bodybuilder is in her late 70s. But she is — 78, to be exact.
As impressive as her physique is, one of the most incredible parts of Ms. Shepherd’s story is that she didn’t even start working out until she was 56.
Shepard had been a model in Baltimore for years, but at age 56 she and her sister Mildred Blackwell went to try on swimsuits and found their bodies were out of shape. They then started taking aerobics classes. The sisters set their sights on becoming two of the oldest female bodybuilders. Her sister began competing in bodybuilding shows under the name Velvet, and Ernestine followed under the name Ernie. However, her sister died in 1992 of a brain aneurysm. When Mildred died, the devastated Shepherd ended up with high blood pressure, panic attacks, acid reflux and depression. Then, Shepherd says her sister appeared to her in a dream, urging her to follow through with the bodybuilding dream they had conceived together.
Shepherd did, and was declared the World’s Oldest Performing Female Bodybuilder by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010. (Edith Wilma Conner now holds the title.) Since age 56 she has won two bodybuilding titles, as well as run nine marathons.
Also Shepherd says her health had dramatically improved. “I do the same thing day in and day out,” she says on an episode of “Oprah Prime” that also featured Sharon Stone. “No high blood pressure medicine. No medicine for panic attacks. No medicine for acid reflux. By me running and walking, the depression and anxiety just left me.”
Part of Shepherd’s everyday routine includes waking up at 2:30 a.m. and reading devotions from her Bible. In addition to running and working out, her diet consists of 1,700 calories a day, mostly from boiled egg whites, chicken, vegetables and a liquid egg white drink, and she runs about 80 miles a week. She does not take supplements. She is trained by former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger and also teaches classes at her Maryland gym, Energy Fitness.
“I started my class with 10 people in the class. That class has grown — some mornings everybody can’t get in the room,” Shepherd says.
For her students, Shepherd encourages exercise in any shape or form. “Not everybody wants to be a bodybuilder. Not everybody wants to be a runner,” she explains. “But find what you like to do. I say to my senior ladies — and the men — ‘Don’t forget: Age is nothing but a number and you can get fit.'”
In a video produced by Prevention magazine and shown on the Oprah Winfrey’s OWN television network, it highlights Ernestine’s success as a trainer. Plus, Shepherd shares the age-defying mantra that helps keep her motivated
which for the past 20 years has been “Determined, Dedicated, and Disciplined – To be fit for life.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Television appearances in 2013 and
2014: Oprah, Katie Couric,
Anderson Cooper, CNN and Prevention Magazine Online.
Currently featured in “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” book as Granny’s Six-pack.
Guinness World Records Winner as “Oldest Female Bodybuilder”, received award in Rome, Italy March 2010.
Appeared on ABC News Good
Morning America Show, Inside Edition, 700 Club and The Mo’Nique Show.
Model in numerous fashion shows. Competes in seven 5K, 10K and marathon runs coming in first place for age group.
Featured in Essence Magazine in 1991, Jet and Ebony Magazines 2009 – 2010.
Motivational speaker for various organizations citing the benefits of healthy living and being physically fit.
Tickets are available at a donation of $90 each at: http://dgosf3awards.eventbrite.com/
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Oct 16, 2013 | Uncategorized
Throughout his life Dick Gregory has been committed to improving the social conditions of his fellow man. Born and raised in extreme poverty in a fatherless home in the ghettos of St. Louis, Mr. Gregory has risen to the highest heights of international accomplishment. Despite resistance from the powers that be every step of the way, Mr. Gregory has persevered and never wavered in his commitment to justice and equality.
Mr. Gregory’s achievements as a renowned author, recording artist, television and film personality, leading nutritionist, and his commitment to non-violent social change are just a few of the reasons he will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during our 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon, to take place on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Phoenix, AZ.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to see this legendary icon perform, you can still purchase tickets to an Hour of Comedy with Dick Gregory on Friday, October 18th at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix at 6:30 PM. To purchase tickets please visit https://dgosfawards.eventbrite.com/. All proceeds will benefit Gregory’s Fresh Market, a 501(c)(3) organization.
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Oct 10, 2013 | Uncategorized
Honoring Lana Remmers, Activity Director, Salvation Army Laura Danieli Senior Center
Lana Remmers
Age and declining health sometimes keep older adults from doing activities they once enjoyed, but that doesn’t mean seniors have to sit in their rooms and watch television or limit themselves to bingo. Activity Directors bring opportunities for entertainment and social interaction directly to residents in Senior centers.
Lana Remmers has been the Activity Director at the Salvation Army Laura Danieli Senior Center for thirteen years. The Senior Center is open to all that are sixty and over or disabled and is part of the Salvation Army Silvercrest Residence that comprises 125 apartments.
The Senior Center provides seniors with access to new computers and offers a wide selection of activities that keep Seniors educated while having fun. One of the activities that is available to seniors on a monthly basis is Gregory’s Fresh Market. The nutritional benefits of each item are displayed. “All of our seniors depend on Gregory’s Fresh Market because the fruits and vegetables are fresh and affordable,” said Lana.
Lana commented, “Working with seniors is a rewarding experience. I learn from their knowledge and history.”
We congratulate Lana on her passion for serving seniors and look forward to honoring her at the 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon,
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