Published: January 08, 2009 08:44 am      

Senior Center News

Senior center activities offer something for just about everyone

By Guinn Sweet
sweettalk@mineralwellsindex.com

It is time to get back to the salt mines of everyday life. The most special holidays have come and gone into the past 2008, and 2009 is hovering over us in clouds, sleet, freezing rain and Christmas bills.

Next week opens with the usual “Walking the Track” beginning at 9 a.m., and is preceded by the opening of the pool room at 8 a.m. First things first, as you know. The Silver Notes begin rehearsal/performance at 10 a.m. in the center. There is no better way to start off a new anything than to listen/participate in the activities of this long-standing work. The inspiration of the gospel that is contained in the lyrics sung stays around for long after the session is over at noon. Table games (1-4:00 p.m.) and Brenda Lee’s physical fitness at 2 p.m. complete the Monday afternoon schedule.

Tuesday morning, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., brings Health Check Day to our place. This is an area that is not only interesting, but vital to the well being of most of us, and keeps us from running to the crowded doctors’ offices to check on our blood pressure, blood sugar readings and weight load, especially after all the good eating of the past two weeks.

This activity has been sponsored, for many years, by the Mineral Wells Medical Supply and performed by the Palo Pinto General Hospital’s Home Health Team. We must be most appreciative to all of these faithful folks for watching after our health issues for all these years. Thank you guys!

The craft folks are on hand from 9-11 a.m. with crochet and knitting activities, which continues on after lunch until 3 p.m. with the work being spent on special projects for community consumption. Good ol’ Brenda Lee comes back at 11 a.m. with Stretch and Tone for those less active senior citizens who participate in her exercise classes.

Wednesday’s daily activities schedule includes a 9 a.m. to noon session of the Willing Workers Quilters, along with a 9:30-10:30 a.m. session of Bingo, sponsored by IntegraCare. After lunch the Willing Workers continue for another two hours, with faithful Brenda Lee coming back to the center for another hour (2-3 p.m.) of physical fitness. What would we do without that girl? (Yep, she will be back on Thursday at 11 a.m. for another Stretch and Tone!)

On Thursday, the 15th, Bertha Bench is hostess to the Red Hatters, who will enjoy a 10:30 a.m. brunch that morning. It is a fact that when Red Hatters are mentioned, it is unnecessary to elaborate on details of the meeting other than when and what, because it is a given that there will be fun and foolishness to follow. This is a group of special ladies who are devoted to staying young at heart and at peace with the soul. For details for joining, see one of the Hatters at the Center for details.

The Silver Steppers are back in stride for two sessions of line dancing, beginning at 9 a.m. for a beginners’ class and then at 9:30 a.m. for the “team” rehearsal and performance.

Block quilting will be going on from 9-10 a.m., with the participants possibly watching.

At 11 a.m., Daryl and Teresa Tarmasso will be doing their genealogy thing. Sometimes these sessions continue into the afternoon, depending on need and time available.

The entire schedule (almost) has been mentioned here, just in case there are new (or old) members in our community who may be considering making the Senior Center a point of contact for more active living. If there are things scheduled and mentioned which might appeal to others out there who wish to have a more active lifestyle, you are encouraged to visit the center and observe first-hand the social and contributive benefits of joining our group. We look forward to seeing you in the near future.