Gina Cantonucci Mitchell, director of the Washington County Office for Aging, presented the board with the office’s Older Americans Month proclamation and introduced the county’s senior citizens of the year on the boardroom floor.

The awards recognized Kathy Comeray Whitcomb of Granville and Dale Lapointe of Hartford for sustained civic engagement and volunteer work in Washington County. Mitchell said the Office for Aging collects nominations year-round for residents age 60 and older and that the Office for Aging Advisory Council selects awardees via an anonymous vote.

Comeray Whitcomb described her volunteer work in Granville after moving there in 2014, including expanding church craft sales and chairing the Meadowlie Valley Seniors board, and said she had “probably will” remain involved. When asked about the motivation for her service, Comeray Whitcomb said, “volunteering to help others is in my DNA.”

Lapointe, who serves in Hartford as an organist and in historical and school advocacy roles, told the board that parents’ advocacy shaped her volunteer work and urged others to contribute their skills to the community. Mitchell read Lapointe’s biography and confirmed Lapointe’s ongoing roles with the Hartford Historical Group and local special education advocacy.

After the presentations, the chair presented signed proclamations for Older Americans Month to both awardees and the board paused for photographs. The presentation was ceremonial; no county policy or budget action followed.

The Office for Aging’s nominations process and the signing of a proclamation were offered as recognition of the county’s volunteer culture and to highlight civic contributions by older residents.