Celebrating Seniors Week 2025: Strengthening Intergenerational Bonds

As the aroma of simmering marinara and freshly cooked pasta fills three locations in Oak Park and Forest Park on Friday, May 9th, the scene will be set for more than just a meal.

The Intergenerational Spaghetti Dinner represents the kick-off to Celebrating Seniors Week, a tradition in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park that honors the invaluable contributions of older adults while fostering connections across generations.

Since its inception in 2010 and the inaugural Celebrating Seniors Week in 2011, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition has honored, recognized and served seniors in the community.

This year brings some 25 events—all free of charge—with the spaghetti dinner spanning three locations from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 9th: the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.; Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd.; and American House Oak Park, 703 Madison St.

Dr. Jim Flanagan, founder of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, said the idea for the spaghetti dinner is straightforward: “Building bridges between generations enriches our community fabric. Events like the Intergenerational Spaghetti Dinner not only honor our seniors but also create opportunities for meaningful interactions that benefit people of all ages.”

The weeklong series of events begins a day earlier on Thursday, May 8th. Here's a sampling of those events:

Protecting Your Identity, led by Byline Bank’s Denise Warren and Susie Goldschmidt, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 8th, at the River Forest Community Center, 8020 Madison St.

Navigating End-of-Life Choices: Exploring Care Options in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park. Led by Lydia Manning, Ph.D. and Tiffany Johnson, this session is from 11 a.m. to Noon at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., on Friday, May 9th, in the small meeting room.

Pet Pals in the Park, at Lindberg Park, on the north end of Oak Park at Marion and Greenfield streets, from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, May 10th.

Golden Girls Trivia, at the Oak Park Arms, on Monday, May 12th, from 2-3 p.m. This session will include prizes as questions reveal who truly is the ultimate fan of the popular television show.

Love, Loss, and Lifelong Learning: How our Past Shapes Our Relationships Today, at Dominican University’s Parmer Hall, Room 107, from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13th. This interactive worship, led by Drs. Angelica Guillen and Julia Bach, explores how life experiences shape our relationships in later adulthood through the lens of the life course perspective.

Building Your Digital Resilience: Tech Empowerment for Older Adults, a workshop at Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd., on Wednesday, May 14th from 12-2 p.m.

A pickleball event, in coordination with the River Forst Park District, at the Keystone Park platform tennis courts on Wednesday, May 14th, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The week wraps up with a by-invitation-only luncheon at 12 p.m. at American House Oak Park, where 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winners and Celebrating Seniors Coalition volunteers will be honored.

For the complete events lineup, visit https://celebratingseniors.net/events/.

For more information, contact Dr. Flanagan at 630-505-8375.

About Celebrating Seniors:

Founded in 2010, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition is dedicated to honoring, recognizing, and serving seniors in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park, Illinois.

Celebrating Seniors’ core objectives: fostering collaboration among businesses, governmental bodies and non-profit agencies in support of seniors; raising public awareness of issues affecting older adults; promoting senior groups and organizations serving individuals aged 60 and above; and generating funds to support at-risk and vulnerable older adults.

To see this year’s calendar of events, current and past years’ honorees, and learn more about the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, visit www.CelebratingSeniors.net.