John Derby is honored at the AARP Chapter 282 meeting at the Senior Center in Merced.
John Derby was presented a plaque last week at the annual AARP Chapter 282 picnic and monthly meeting held at the Merced Senior Community Center at 755 West 15th Street.
He is the founder of Mid-Valley Publications, the employee-owned company that includes the Merced County Times, the Atwater-Winton Times and four other weekly newspapers in the Central Valley.
There were 102 AARP members at the meeting/picnic. AARP President Robert Matthews was the Master of Ceremonies. Reverend Jill Loving of the Unity Church of Merced offered the invocation. It was followed by everyone singing Irving Berlin’s 1918 song, “God Bless America.”
Merced Senior Citizens Inc. President Dora Davidson presented the plaque to Mr. Derby. It was a long overdue thank you from the organization for Derby’s commitment to running positive stories about local people, places, and events for the last 46-years. The plaque was inscribed: “In appreciation to the Merced County Times for many years of contribution to the Merced Senior Community Center users.”
“I want to think you for this award.” Derby said. “I’m turning 74 next year. I retired four-years ago and that was a joke. Don (Thomas) here is older than I am and is working very hard for you to see your news in the paper. We are only too happy to bring copies of the Merced County Times to the Senior Center. Starting next month we have a new magazine coming out in the paper. It’s for you people and me. It’s called, ‘Age to perfection.’ It’s our idea that life can get better at our age if we get up and move around and take these tours like you’re doing. Don’t sit in front of the TV – that is a killer. Get out and do the things that you’re doing. I commend all of you for your active role in the community making it a better place. Thank you very much.”
The idea of providing weekly newspapers to the Senior Center however, took a little prodding many years ago from his neighbor and friend Mary Ball (deceased) whom he met regularly on his morning walks. She was an outspoken long-time local senior with strong opinions on what should be done to make Merced a better place. Keeping the seniors informed was high on her list! Derby has been sending free copies of the paper to the Senior Center soon after it opened in 1994.
The idea for the presentation came from 18-year Board Member of the Merced Senor Citizens Inc. John Fisher. He said at the meeting, “I believe that when people do nice things, they should be thanked for it.”
He presented a motion to award Mr. Derby a plaque to thank him and his staff for publishing positive stories about people in the county and for donating copies of his Merced County Times newspaper each week to the Merced Senior Community Center over the last 16-years. The vote was unanimous and Fisher was authorized to purchase the plaque.
Seniors Inc. President Dora Davidson and Merced Senior Social Club President Marie Ruiz are also members of AARP and were at the picnic/meeting.
John Derby was presented a plaque last week at the annual AARP Chapter 282 picnic and monthly meeting held at the Merced Senior Community Center at 755 West 15th Street.
