Once the summer simmers down, Ohio temperatures start to descend so quickly that many people won’t even be able to put their coats on in time before spastic, unpredictable, 20-degree weather sets in.
But seniors need not be afraid of the cold-weather blues this year thanks to Dublin’s popular senior events. There is no shortage of events and activities during October and November.
“Fall is our busiest senior programming season,” says Wanda Kamler, senior adult program supervisor at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. “The seniors are back from summer family vacations and events and are looking for senior-focused activities and peer interaction. During this time, we offer back-to-back sessions of our senior fitness classes. There are more presentational speakers, events and trip offerings.”
To kick off a wide array of events in October, scrapbooking and greeting card classes will be hosted Oct. 2. This class is aimed at helping people get the most out of their scrapbook experience, and was previously a hugely popular event.
“A lot of the options are maintained from year-to-year because of demand. We try to punch it up by offering a variety of speakers on current topics, new entertainment and trips,” adds Kamler.
And if scrapbooking isn’t your cup of tea, there are tons of other leaves brewing up. For instance, Lynne Herman leads a two-hour line dancing program, each Friday at 1:05 p.m. This class helps boost memory and fitness.
For more fitness and exercise, there is a Functional Fitness class, led by Sally Gill, that incorporates free-weight exercises as a way to fight back against the aging process, using healthy and safe weight training techniques. Other fitness programs include Zumba, yoga and Tai Chi.
Outside the realm of physical activity is a Caring for the Individual Program hosted by the Dublin Counseling Center.
Another such offering is the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program led by Marcia Strall. This program informs about certain procedures and problems related to insurance programs.
And for the happily traditional seniors, there are two different types of bingo. Blarney Bingo will happen twice in the months of October and November.
The second Bingo event, Holiday Super Bingo, Oct. 29, is a great way to kick off the celebration of the upcoming holidays.
Feedback from seniors has been integral in keeping programming interesting.
“Senior members quite often bring ideas to us,” Kamler says. “Our Dublin community senior citizens organization has an advisory board comprised of its senior members. They are also a valuable sounding board for ideas on programming, events and issues. We always listen, realizing that if one person suggests a program, chances are there are other seniors who would participate and benefit.”
A senior suggested a new program, and that idea has already come to fruition.
“A member’s personal interest in birding was recently developed into a new birding program,” Kamler says. “This group meets Friday mornings at various community parks. Speakers are being planned for late season.”
David Allen is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemagazine.com
