WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

The older adults who were rockin’ out the line dances at the Valentine’s dance hosted by Brown and Douglas Adult Senior Center on Feb.11 could put the younger set to shame! Serena Mumford, center supervisor, said she planned the Valentine’s dance to give people a social outlet and something fun to do. The pandemic has taken a toll on local seniors, and having a place to go to get together and to have a good time is important so that they remain active.

Rena Giles, a member of the well-known local line dance group Triple Threat, led the dancers in various line dances. Giles has been dancing with Triple Threat for about five years and said she “always loved dancing. … Not only is it a lot of fun, the dance group has become like family.”

Triple Threat performs at various senior communities and at Senior Services’ Williams Adult Day Center on a regular basis. “Dancing,” said Giles, “is good for the body and soul.”

Mumford has already made plans for the spring to keep older adults active through various classes and activities. On March 8 at noon there will be an information workshop for people to learn more about Medicare. This will be especially helpful for people who will be turning 65 in the next few months.

Also on March 8 at 1 p.m. there will be a “Paint & Sparkle” class. Like painting classes that are held around town where participants are invited to bring their wine and sip and paint, the Paint & Sparkle class invites participants to bring “non-alcoholic sparkling beverages” or soft drinks to share with others while they paint. An instructor will be available to help beginners and all materials will be provided. The class is free.

On March 9 at 9 a.m. the Audubon Society will lead a bird watching walk in the park next to the center. In the event of bad weather, they will meet inside for a discussion.

April is National Barbershop Quartet Month and Mumford is planning to have a local quartet perform on April 11. The time hasn’t been set yet, but will be announced soon.

Mumford has even more plans in store for the future. The fall festival they held in 2021 was such a hit that the parking lot was full and overflowed to parking across the street. Mumford is hoping to have a similar festival in the spring with activities, vendors and music.

She noted that July is World Watercolor Month and is planning an activity around that theme.

The Brown and Douglas Active Senior Center has been working to plan activities and events that are of interest to older adults. Mumford said each month she’s seen more people come out for classes and workshops, but would like to see even more older adults participate.

“Social isolation has been hard on our seniors,” said Mumford. “We want to be the place to come to meet new friends, have fun and stay active and healthy.”

Brown and Douglas Adult Senior Center is located at 4725 Indiana Avenue. For more information, email serenam@cityofws.org. or visit www.weplay.ws  and click on the Recreation Centers tab.