Cass County COA honors longtime contributors
Published 10:56 am Friday, February 26, 2016
Cass County COA Executive Director Bob Cochrane (right) presents a plaque to former COA fitness instructor Frannie Stites and longtime volunteer Bob Barton during a special ceremony held inside the agency’s Front Street Crossing facility Wednesday. The plaque was later installed inside the building’s fitness studio, which was renamed to the “Barton-Stites Studio.” (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)
The once unnamed “blue room” inside the Cass County COA Front Street Crossing office was rechristened Wednesday afternoon — fittingly named after two individuals who have dedicated nearly 40 years of combined service to keeping area seniors in shape.
In a ceremony held in the back of the Dowagiac complex, leadership with the local senior agency honored former fitness instructor Frannie Stites, of Sister Lakes, and longtime volunteer Bob Barton, of Dowagiac, officially renaming the Front Street Crossing’s fitness center the “Barton-Stites Studio.” The two were both in attendance at the event, receiving certificates recognizing their years of service to the COA.
“We feel very blessed to have Frannie and Bob as part of our wonderful COA family,” said Sandi Hoger, the leisure activities/special events director with the COA.
Stites, who lived in Dowagiac for more than 30 years before moving to Sister Lakes 10 years ago, first joined the COA 14 years ago as an aerobics instructor, she said. She bounced around with the rest of the organization to the various Dowagiac satellite locations over the years, including at the Federated Church and the Elks Lodge, until finally teaching courses at Front Street Crossing when it opened in 2012.
“The people who come to the classes are so dedicated,” Stites said. “They’ll try to come no matter what is going on.”
Although her health required her to step down as an instructor with the agency, she has recently begun taking fitness courses with the COA, making the adjustment from teacher to student, she said.
Having her former coworkers present her with the award Wednesday gave her a tremendous feeling, she said.
“I never expected something like this,” Stites said. “I feel so honored and blessed that they would think of me that way. It just goes to show how deep our affection for each other really goes.”
Barton has been associated with the COA for more than 20 years, attending their fitness exercises in Dowagiac for several years before deciding to begin volunteering in 1997 at the COA’s main location in Cassopolis. He eventually began helping out at Front Street Crossing after it opened up.
Even at 91 years old, he continues to pitch in three days a week, he said.
“It’s quite an honor, “Barton said about the recognition. “It wasn’t necessary for them to do that, but I appreciate it.”
