If your age 55 or older and looking for something to do, be sure to stop by the Senior Citizens Center. There’s always something going on there, from activities and fitness exercises to valuable educational sessions. In addition to special annual favorites and special events, there are weekly and monthly programs offered as well.
Medicare Information Session
This Friday, June, 24, at 11 a.m. “Medicare Choices with the Retirement Gals” will be hosted at Senior Citizens Center. Pie and coffee will be served for those attending. Debbie Sheley with the Retired Gals will explain all of the Medicare choices available in 2022, as well as potential penalties and deadlines.
Anyone who would like to schedule a 1-on-1 appointment may contact Debbie Sheley at 903-571-6750, to schedule one.
Summer 42 Tournament
One warm weather favorite is the annual Summer 42 Tournament. This event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2022. In addition on bragging rights, players will compete for cash prizes. Dominoes and tables will be provided.
The cost to enter the tournament is $10 for all who register no later than July 1. The entry fee will increase to $25 per team beginning July 2. Checks should be made payable to SS Senior Center. Lunch will be offered for $5 per person at the July 16 Tourney.
For additional information, contact Karon Weatherman at the Senior Citizens Center, 903-885-1661.
Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off
Just as temperatures really begin to soar — if you think it’s hot now on the third day of summer, just wait for the those long dog days of summer — the Senior Citizens Center will be hosting an event designed not only to help cool ya down, but to feed your sweet tooth as well.
The Annual Senior Citizens Ice Cream Freeze Off, sponsored by Carriage House Manor and the Cottages, will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, July 22.
Senior Citizens are invited to stop by the Senior Citizens Center to sample all the delicious flavors of homemade ice cream entered in the contest, then, vote on their favorite frozen treat. The three entries receiving the most votes will win prizes.
So, if you’ve got a good ice cream recipe, dig out your ice cream freezer and start practicing for the July 22 showdown for best ice cream. If you’re a senior citizens, stop by the center to cool off, and fellowship while determining which ice cream you like best.
Senior Citizens Center Program and Marketing Director Karon Weatherman urges those who do want to enter a frozen treat in the contest to let her know as soon as possible, so plans can be made to adequately plan for the event.
“Don’t miss any of the everyday events that are happening at the Senior Center. You can come and beat the heat and enjoy visiting your friends at the Senior Citizens Center,” Weatherman said.
Fan Drive
And, if those activities aren’t enough, the Senior Citizens Center also serves at the headquarters for the Meal A Day Program, has a library where senior citizens can sit and visit or read, and also hosts an annual fan drive to benefit senior citizens in the community who need one. The center partners annually with Sulphur Springs Corvette Club to accept donations of new box or stand fans or money to purchase fans.
“I still have some FANS if anyone needs one just come and get it,” Weatherman said.
Any senior citizen who does not have a fan and air conditioning to keep them cool can contact the Senior Citizens Center to pick one up or arrange to get one. Anyone who knows of a senior citizen in Hopkins County who does not have a means to cool off in this hot heat can also report it so that arrangements can be made to get a fan to that individual.
Additional Upcoming Seasonal Activities
Below are a few additional dates to jot down for seasonal favorites include:
- Wednesday, July 27 — Party in the Park with Early Bingo for prizes at 8:30 a.m., good ol’ Country Music performed by Dale “the C” Cummings at 9:30, and light brunch at 10:30 a.m. at Buford Park Pavilion
- Saturday, Aug. 13 — Senior Citizens Prom, 6 p.m.; theme: Game Night, at the Senior Citizens Center.
- Thursday, Aug. 25 — Men’s BBQ, noon, Wes Smith as grill master, at the Senior Citizens Center
- Saturday, Sept. 17 — 17th Annual Clara Bridges 90+ Banquet, 12-2 p.m., at First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Center, known as The ROC, 115 Putman Street,
- Tuesday, Oct. 18 — Senior-style crock pot Stew Cook Off, 1 p.m. at Senior Citizens Center; prizes for 1st-3rd places.
- Saturday, Oct. 22 — Earl W. Martin 42 Tournament for cash prizes, 10 a.m. Senior Citizens Center; $10 early registration; $25 per team registration after Oct. 7.
- Tuesday, Oct. 25 — Sulphur Springs Senior Olympic Games: 9:30 a.m. 1K race, 10 a.m. start of other games including bean bag toss, frisbee golf, Nerf javelin, horseshoes, washer pitching, scooter races and wheelchair races, all at The ROC. Olympic Cook Out at noon.
- Monday, Oct. 31 — Eat, Drink and be Scary for Halloween at noon at hte Senior Citizens Center.
- Nov. 16 — Senior Citizens Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Potluck at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Bring a Side dish and dessert to share.
- Friday, Dec. 2 — 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off at noon for 1st-3rd place prizes, at the Senior Center.
- Dec. 5-16 — Golden Agers Gift Tree, adopt a senior citizen for Christmas.
- Friday, Dec. 16 — Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Christmas Party, pictures with Santa, $5 gift exchange, bring a favorite Christmas treat to share.
Weekly Activities
Regular weekly activities include:
- Bingo — 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Cards are 75-cents each, and you keep the same card throughout the day’s play.
- Fit and Strong — 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays, lead by John Little; free exercise class.
- Art and Painting Class — at 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Free class by instructor Vera Allen.
- Euchre! — played at 11 a.m. Wednesdays
- Tai Ji Quan — 10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays, free class taught by Karen Moseley
- Chair Yoga —11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and
- Chicken Foot — 11 a.m. Fridays (not on July 22 due to the afternoon freeze off).
Monthly Activities
Monthly activities held at the Senior Citizens Center include:
- Bright Star Writers Group meeting — the second Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
- Happy Scrappy Cards — first Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. (unless the first Monday falls on a major holiday, such as 4th of July or Labor Day), make and take 3 cards. Teachers will be Nancy Rooks and Mary Lou Foster.
- Line Dancing Classes — at 1:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month with Tammy Vincze as instructor.
- Rummikub —the first, second and third Thursdays of each month at 1 p.m.
- BUNCO — the fourth Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. Cost is $5. Bring a snack to share
- Left, Right, Center (LRC) Game — the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
- 42 — played the first Saturday of each Monday at 1 p.m.
- Arts and Crafts —the second Monday the month at 1:30 p.m.
- Craft Time — the fourth Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. A different craft is offered each month.
- Art/Wreath Making Class — at 1:30 p.m. the third Monday of the month.
