Philadelphia resident named Mississippi Ageless Hero
By Staff
special to The Star
March 1, 2003
If you're looking for a bundle of energy, look no further than Charlie Mars.
In 2001, at the age of 76, Mars won the gold medal in tennis at the National Senior Olympics. For three years before that, he had been the state gold medalist.
You might think a schedule like that would keep Mars' feet on the ground, but that's not the case.
At 74, Mars renewed his pilot's license that he had let lapse. After taking the test, he was issued a commercial pilot's license with instrument rating.
In recognition of this activity and vitality in his senior years, Mars was honored as a Mississippi Ageless Hero at a Jan. 28 awards luncheon at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.
The featured speaker was Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell.
Blue Cross &Blue Shield of Mississippi sponsors the Mississippi Ageless Heroes program to recognize seniors who show that life after age 65 can be a time of activity, vitality and accomplishment.
Each hero is a Mississippi resident who represents achievements in one of six categories: community involvement, creativity, good neighbor, love of learning, new beginnings and vitality.
Six heroes each are chosen from the northern, central and southern regions of Mississippi. Another six heroes represent the state as a whole.
A regional honoree in the vitality category, Mars also has learned to snow ski and is now an avid downhill skier. He is also an accomplished pianist and a regular entertainer at the Neshoba County Fair, where last year he performed a vaudeville tap dance rendition.
In recognition of his lifelong contribution to his hometown and the surrounding area, Mars was honored in 2002 as "Citizen of the Year" for Philadelphia and Neshoba County.
Mars was one of the more than 400 senior citizens nominated for the sixth annual Mississippi Ageless Heroes program. Judges chose 24 nominees, ranging in age from 67 to 93, to receive the 2003 awards.
The heroes' activities include working to better their communities, pursuing advanced educational degrees, ministering to the needy and those in prison, storytelling and excelling in sports.
In honor of Mars, Blue Cross &Blue Shield of Mississippi will donate $500 to the charity of his choice.
