The 25th anniversary year of Carbon County's Senior Games kicked off Tuesday with great fanfare.

More than 200 senior athletes, clad in primary color T-shirts yellow for Panther Valley, red for Jim Thorpe, blue for Palmerton, orange for Weatherly and maroon for Lehighton stood at attention as the American flag, borne by the Panther Valley School District JROTC color guard, was carried into the recreation center gym. They remained standing, most with hands over hearts, as Martha Moyer of Jim Thorpe sang the national anthem.Among them was 95-year-old Stephena (Plechavy) Kurtz, of Palmerton, who participated in the first games, in 1989, as a 75-year-old.She said she's had hip and knee replacements, but was eagerly anticipating competing in the bean bag toss, darts, boccie and horseshoes. Kurtz, who enlisted in the Womens Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II, promises to be a fierce competitor.For Games Director Victor Pituch, 84, this year's event is bittersweet indeed. It is his final year as director."This was a dream, a vision, I had 25 years ago," he said. "But I'll be around when you need me."Games Coordinator Anne Horrigan of the Area Agency on Aging welcomed seniors to the games, and Carbon County Commissioners William O'Gurek, Thomas J. Gerhard and Chairman Wayne Nothstein offered remarks.Nothstein elicited roars of laughter when he told the participants that "we'll have to start checking ID's. Half of you don't look old enough to participate in Senior Games."It's great to see this many people out. We have over 200 people registered. But when you think about it, we should have about 2,000 people. If only we could get all our seniors into this program. These people look forward to it year after year. They make new friends. They just can't wait for it to start, and they hate to see it end," he said.Gerhard described the athletes as "young at heart" and spoke of how the games started off small, in only one venue.O'Gurek spoke of the bittersweet aspect of the games. The bitter in the passing of those who have participated; the sweetness in the presence of those who still savor the blessings that life has to offer."Sweet because of the great attendance we get, and it is heart-warming to know how our seniors are driven to wellness. It's an opportunity for them to have fun and to socialize with others from the different towns," he said. "Of course, the bitter is when I think of all of the great people who loved participating in the Games but are no longer with us. So, this is a time to remember them, as well as to thank God for all of the blessings He has given to us to be able to continue the Games."O'Gurek referred to one longtime participant, Elaine Stockmal, who passed away Monday at age 88. Stockmal, of Nesquehoning, had been proud of her medals in horseshoes, bean bags, softball, basketball and bingo.David J. Gingerich, deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, presented a proclamation on behalf of the state. It was the first time the state agency was represented at the Carbon games, said Cheri Santore, administrator of the county Area Agency on Aging.Students from Jim Thorpe and Panther Valley high schools, and the Carbon Career and Technical Institute are helping with the games.The opening day ceremonies were followed by shuffleboard and bean bag competitions. Today's games will feature basketball shoots and darts. The games, administered by the Carbon County Area Agency on Aging, are held beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Lehighton Recreation Center, 243 S. Eighth St., and other venues.Competitors are divided among five teams, organized by the school district in which they live: The South Team is composed of those who live in the Lehighton and Palmerton districts; the North Team competitors live in the Panther Valley, Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder, and Weatherly districts.The annual games, which also include shuffleboard, pool, mini golf, bowling, boccie, walking, softball throw, horseshoes, pingpong, dancing, bingo, pinochle and rummy, will wrap up with a banquet at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association building, 902 Mill Road, Lehighton.