Thousands Turn Out for Annual Bash

Neither D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) nor Santa Claus could upstage 78-year-old Sherman Johnson, who danced to African drummers yesterday at the city's annual holiday party, which brought more than 3,000 residents to the D.C. Armory.

In addition to the drummers, there was also a Jewish singing group and Chinese dancers. Clarence Brown, director of the D.C. Office on Aging, said diversity was the party's theme this year. "We wanted to bring all of the diversity that we have in the city together and provide seniors with healthy information," he said.

Sandra Bears, 65, the District's Miss Senior 2005, said it is important for seniors to participate in such events. "It shows that life still goes on and you don't get older, you get better," Bears said.

R.C. Turner, 62, Miss Senior DC 2008, said just because someone has retired doesn't mean they want to sit around and do nothing. "You have a lot of seniors who are not ready to be pushed down in a wheelchair in a nursing home," she said.

-- Hamil R. Harris