The Seniors' Advisory Council had once again prepared an extensive programme. However, due to the high temperatures and the early school holidays, it was not possible to hold the contemporary witness talks at the grammar school and the gymnastics workshop this time. It is planned to make up for both events in the autumn.
On Tuesday 25 June at 2 p.m., an exchange of experiences took place in the Protestant community centre with senior citizens' associations and local heritage societies on the problems of the older generation. The discussion focussed on past and future cooperation and communication with each other, e.g. in the organisation of local history festivals in the individual districts.
On Friday 28 June at 6 p.m., the newly elected municipal representatives introduced themselves at the town hall meeting in the Herzfelde community centre.
On this evening, important concerns of senior citizens were addressed first and foremost. The topics ranged from carpooling to the shops, poor pavements and barrier-free parking of walking frames for tenants. This gave the new municipal representatives a first impression of the importance of senior citizen work in Rüdersdorf.
The highlight was the senior citizens' party on 30 June in Rüdersdorf's Kulturhaus. DJ "Jacke" provided atmospheric music right from the start. After being welcomed by Antje Kircheis, Chairwoman of the Seniors' Advisory Council, Mayor André Schaller recognised the commitment of the older generation to a dignified life in old age. He emphasised the importance of voluntary work for participation in social life in the community. He thanked the following people on behalf of all volunteers with a certificate and a bouquet of flowers:
- Antje Kircheis
- Bertraud Pietsch
- Brigitte Pausin
- Elke Schwandt
- Gudrun Otto
- Hans-Joachim Hentschel
- Ingeborg Feig
- Ingrid Schulze
- Irma Ziethmann
- Monika Ellmrich
- Manfred Masek
- Rita König
- Eva Matthes.
Members of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council were also bid farewell on this day:
- Manfred Masek
- Grudrun Otto
- Ingrid Schulze
- Eva Matthes
- Antje Kircheis.
The mayor thanked them for their many years of service with a certificate and a bouquet of flowers.
Next, the newly appointed Seniors' Advisory Council was presented and all members received their certificates of appointment:
- Angela Wolter
- Anita Pawlak
- Hans-Peter Gaul
- Helga Just
- Iris Jaeger
- Lucy Kircheis
- Monika Ellmrich
- Reinhardt Leiste
- Waltraud Hauschildt.
Mrs Antje Kircheis then bid farewell to her office after 20 years as Chair of the Seniors' Advisory Council and thanked the senior citizens, the municipal council, the municipal administration and the mayor for their many years of support. It was difficult for her to retire from her work for good because she had worked with full commitment and passion for the interests of senior citizens from the very beginning. Ms Kircheis was honoured by Minister President Dietmar Woidke for her voluntary work on the Seniors' Advisory Council at the opening of the 26th Brandenburg Seniors' Week on 15 June 2019.
The festive ceremony ended with an entry in the Golden Book.
With lively music from DJ-Jacke and singing from Mechthilde vom Kalkofen, the party continued in a cosy atmosphere. A humorous interlude by the theatre group of the Protestant parish followed in between. Food was provided by the German Life Saving Association and drinks by Mr Martin Zeidler from Hennickendorfer Sportverein 90 e.V.
During the Senior Citizens' Week, which was attended by around 200 people, a collection was organised for the children from Chernobyl and a donation of €490 was made. This money will be used to finance the visit of the children from Chernobyl on 9 July 2019.
A big thank you goes to the Schöneicher-Rüdersdorfer tram, which provided a bus on this day, driven by Mr Walter Pilgermann from the mining association, to enable the senior citizens to visit the senior citizens' festival.
It wouldn't be possible without sponsors. We would also like to thank the State of Brandenburg, Sparkasse MOL, Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, E.ON Edis, Bäckerei Lehmann Alt-Rüdersdorf, Fortuna Apotheke, MAYER Kanalmanagement GmbH, INGO LEESE - Bauleistungen & Immobilen, DLRG, FC Wacker Herzfelde, the municipality of Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, the staff of the "M. A. Nexö" cultural centre and, of course, the many volunteers.