SAIL member Kent Schaffer fills his plate with food at the picnic in the War Memorial Building on Friday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — High temperatures may have forced Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL) to bring its annual summer picnic indoors, moving it from Morgan’s Grove Park to the War Memorial Building, but that did not prevent its members and guests from having a wonderful time.

A potluck meal began the event, followed by announcements and then karaoke, which proved a highly popular choice among guests old and young alike. SAIL members Marty Amerikaner and Linda Spatig brought their granddaughters, five-year-old Mae Hagerman and seven-year-old Beatrice Hagerman, to the picnic, where the musical pair had a blast singing karaoke.

“They’re here to spend time with their grandparents for the week,” Amerikaner said, noting his grandchildren live in Tacoma Park, Md. “They sing out with Elsa in the movie ‘Frozen’ and similar kinds of songs. I’ve never heard them do anything like this before — that was new!”

For SAIL Vice President Betty Snyder, the experience was equally enjoyable.

“When we were planning for this picnic, I thought karaoke would be fun for our members,” Snyder said. “We have a few exceptional singers in SAIL — professional opera singers and the like.”

Seven-year-old Beatrice Hagerman sings the "Glory of Love" at SAIL's summer picnic in the War Memorial Building on Friday. Tabitha Johnston

Snyder herself was one of several attendees who happily joined in dancing to a karaoke rendition of Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” She then took the microphone to sing her karaoke go-to song, “Friends in Low Places.”

“It’s so much fun to get together like this!” Snyder said. “It’s good to see everyone relaxing and having a good time.”

Over at the tables full of potluck dishes, Kent Schaffer could be seen getting seconds on some of the food. The SAIL member of three years made it clear that the annual summer picnic was one of the many things he enjoyed about being a member of the Village-to-Village Network, which provides socialization opportunities and assistance for those wanting to age in place.

“It’s great!” Schaffer said. “The food and the fellowship are wonderful — a lot of laughs and good music.”

For SAIL board member Mike Austin, the decision to move the picnic indoors was a necessary one to make, even if he wished it hadn’t been.

SAIL members and guests listen to SAIL President Barbara Shaffer make announcements at the picnic in the War Memorial Building on Friday. Tabitha Johnston

“We had to improvise, because of the hot weather. We couldn’t have held it at the park. Our age group could have handled it if it had been in the 80s, but when it was predicted to be in the 90s, we knew we had to make a different decision, to protect our members,” Austin said. “In the end, we had a good turnout and no bugs!”

To learn more about SAIL, visit https://sail.clubexpress.com/.

Shepherdstown Area Independent Living Vice President Betty Snyder, front, sings "Friends in Low Places" in the War Memorial Building on Friday. Tabitha Johnston