The sheet of ice on the sidewalks cracked and creaked as five seniors and two dogs walked a loop from the Orono Public Library, through Orono’s Tough End neighborhood, and back to the library.
Bundled up in corduroy, denim and puffy winter coats, the group only broke stride to talk about what Orono used to look like or wait for one of the dogs, a black lab named Bailey and a cairn terrier named Fitzroy, on what one senior called a “two-dog day.”
The “geezers” trekking through the winter wind were all members of the most active group at the library: “Geezers in sneakers getting coffee.”
The group is what it sounds like – senior citizens who meet every Monday and Friday morning for a 30-minute walk. Members stroll down numerous routes at differing speeds and meet back at the library for coffee for an hour.
Harland Onsrud created the group nearly two years ago to combat increasing health risks, depression and a lack of interactions for retirees in Maine. Elderly loneliness increases health risks and is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline and depression, according to the National Institute on Aging.
The group’s work combating loneliness in partnership with the library earned them an international award in November.
The I Partner With My Public Library Award was presented to 10 awardees across Canada and America in November. The “geezers” were the only organization in Maine to receive the award.
“The twice-weekly walks and coffee hours have had strong mental and physical benefits for the men and women seniors who regularly attend,” the award reads. “The involved elders have in turn been enabled to support further activities expanding the vitality of the community.”
On Friday morning, members didn’t talk much about the award and went about their walk and coffee hour like it was no big deal.
After getting back to the library, the lab, Bailey, fell asleep on the floor as members got coffee and grabbed slices of cake. Talk of the town continued as two more “geezers” joined who decided not to go on the walk.
Occasionally, speakers will join them for coffee. Speakers have varied from town councilors, like Councilor Matt Powers who joined on Friday, filling the group in on what’s happening around town to previous professors giving lectures.
Members vary from week to week, but the goal is the same; get out of the house to talk to people and exercise outside.
One member, Dave Yarborough of Old Town, said the group keeps him engaged and active in an area where there aren’t many spaces for seniors to do so.
“When you get to being a codger, socialization and exercise are the keys to longevity,” he said.
The program was started with retirees in mind, but anyone is allowed to join.
Since its founding, a walk has never been cancelled. With twice-weekly meetings, some members have met with the group more than 100 times.
Snow, ice and heat have caused attendance to dip occasionally, with four being the lowest number of attendees, but there is a “hearty group” that makes it out during the bad weather, Onsrud said.
Onsrud, 74, is a member of that group. He attended his 151st walk on Friday, one of the highest marks for any member.
For reference, Bailey, a black lab, has walked 50 times as of Friday.
Onsrud comes to so many meetings because he enjoys getting to talk to other retirees and be active outside, he said.
The milestone didn’t come without fanfare. Onsrud baked a “dump” cake made of layers of chocolate cake mix and cherries for his 150th walk. He previously got a centurion button for 100, a different cake for 50 and a hat for 20 walks.
Visiting his grandkids is the most common reason he’s missed, and the most common excuse for others in the group. There are multiple reasons why people have missed walks, partially because retirees have so much to do despite being able to say “every day is Saturday,” Onsrud said.
“Most retired people will tell you they’re busier now than ever,” he said.