Do you have a senior center near you ? Any organizations you belong to ?

Toomuchstuff

Toomuchstuff

Member
Location
Wisconsin
I'm lucky enough to have wonderful centers near me . (Milwaukee,Wisconsin) I joined one and got involved in so many classes ! ( mostly crafts ) Some days I feel like I'm back in high school , going from room to room LOL ..... (only much slower now !) I can't even begin to describe how much fun it is . Anybody that thinks when old people get together , it's boring .... Well --- let me tell you this place is hopping ! There's days I go home and my cheeks are sore from laughing .
Are you a member of anything ? My doctor told me - they key to a long life is getting out and socializing. If that's the case - I should live to be 200 !!!!:p
 

The one near me isn't very welcoming. Old dressed up ladies playing bridge. I've never seen or heard friendly fare or laughter in that place. I will say the people who work there seem very friendly, though. I'm not wanting to get into a stuffy atmosphere. I'm sure there are some more down to earth places. I just need to find them. They sure aren't advertised.
 
The senior center nearest me is over in the next town. Its' physically connected to a senior housing facility and I get the impression that to be eligible for their programs and events, you actually have to live there.

In my community, there is a senior's group that meets once a month, on average. When it first started 4 years ago, it was pretty organized and fun, but lately it's turned into a "toddler to tween" session when the attendees either bring their grandkids they are babysitting or invite their children who bring their kids. As more and more people come, the director seems flustered, unorganized and running late for around year now. I think there are around 35 "regulars" and with. And of course, there are always "stragglers" who drift in anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour after the meeting starts, then everyone has to shift around and make room for the latecomers.
 

I was always a bit of a loner. I don't like gatherings of any kind. I don't have enough hours in the day to complete all the projects I want to do. I am happiest just puttering around my home and garden. A friend of mine knows I love to read and asked me to come to their book club. I did give it some thought and decided at my age I want to read the books I want to read and not what the group votes on reading. To much like school,and did I ever hate school!
 
I have thought about going to the local Senior Center but they don't have any programs until after the daily lunch and I run out of energy by noon so I never get around to it.

The only early morning activity I can find in my area is a group that walks in the mall or at a local park every day, I should check it out.
 
dearimee said:
The one near me isn't very welcoming. Old dressed up ladies playing bridge. I've never seen or heard friendly fare or laughter in that place. I will say the people who work there seem very friendly, though. I'm not wanting to get into a stuffy atmosphere. I'm sure there are some more down to earth places. I just need to find them. They sure aren't advertised.
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I've had a similar experience. I like to do things more interesting than bingo, and have have conversations more interesting than talking incessantly about someone else's grandchildren or their gallbladder.
 
After semi-retiring I joined our senior center, in part because they offered some interesting sounding classes, like painting and pottery. I also went occasionally for the lunches. I tend to be a loner so thought the socialization would do me good. But I found the group to be cliqueish and unwelcoming, and the "classes" would more aptly have been called workshops, as the attendees were already adept at their talents, and the "teacher" had little interest in teaching.
 
I'm lucky. The senior's centre I joined has interesting programs. I learned all about Ancestry there. There is a one on one computer class offered at a reasonable price. A beautiful pool table free for members to use. Movies, trips and lunches at reasonable prices. A newsletter full of information about other seniors events around town. Membership is $25.00 a year. It's great.
 
I have been seriously considering a move to another town just so I can attend the senior centre there. So many varied activities, cafeteria, coffee room, even footcare all for $40 a month.
 
We have a wonderful senior center nearby. I seldom make use of it, as we have so many activities here in Leisure World. But one thing I do use is their travel program. They have trips of all levels, from same-day trips to resort vacations. I've gone on a few of those, including a trip to the Chesapeake Bay, where we took a boat ride to the eastern shore. Others have been crafts festivals in the mountains.

They also have trips to theatres, casinos, special shopping malls, and special events.

Leisure World also sponsors a lot of interesting trips. Next month I'm going to a Nationals game. The very reasonable price includes bus transportation to and from Nationals Park, a pretty decent seat, and $15 toward lunch. I did it last year and loved it.
 
I do have Federal/State funded seniors' programs. But they are more for providing a good hot meal. On a personal note, I never considered myself a stud. But I have to tell you about when I first walked in to the center. Most of the seniors are women. I was 62, not married. I was ogled by every 60-70-80 year old widow. I know this sounds trite, but I felt like a piece of meat-both figuratively and literally. I could have had my pick.
 
There is one in my town, but it's not the nicest I've seen. My mom goes there frequently. She learned how to use computers in a special tech course there, and now belongs to a yoga class which she loves. She gets good use out of our senior center. I don't use it. I'm still kinda young. :eek:
 
Speaking of seniors and activities, I live in a senior complex with a floor dedicated use for the tenants to use for various activities. I have been asked to teach some arts and crafts projects to the tenants. I not exactly thrilled about doing this, rather nervous really, I've taught children, but, we all know how us adults can be, plus, I'm not as patient as I was some time ago. :( But, I just didn't have the heart to say no.
 

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