Fun Senior Moments in Action
by Cate Murway
Have you the preconception that senior centers are just not for you?
Schedule a visit to your local Bristol Borough Area Active Adult Center on Wood & Mulberry Streets, then judge for yourself!
Are you looking for health or fitness classes at an affordable price and convenient location? For less than $1.00 a month, those 55 and over can become a member at The Active Adult Center.
The Center is truly a home away from home for the “many seasoned” residents, offering a plethora of exciting, varied activities to enrich their lives, including hot lunches, senior activity programs, bingo, trips, and fashion shows and it is only $10.00 for a year membership. The benefits promoting mental and physical well-being, are significant in the lives of older people and those who care about them.
The well preserved brick Victorian Senior Center building was dedicated to World War II veteran, Frank F. Flatch on June 15, 1995, who helped start the Bucks County Association of Retired and Senior Citizens. The original 1908 Bristol H.S. building had housed all four grades but was repurposed for Seniors only, providing a terrific location for the older residents in which to mingle with a diverse group of peers and avoid isolation. One never outgrows the need for a social life.
The fully handicapped accessible Center provides a comfortable and inviting place for services to be delivered that can range from meals to health screenings to informational seminars on issues that especially affect the older generation, such as healthcare and fall prevention.
It provides an integral role, much more than just a room for the “many birthday-ed” adults who use their services. These services often keep older adults in their homes and in their communities by keeping them active, in contact with their community, and connected.
Every month, a complete calendar of recreational, cultural, educational, health and social programs and activities is scheduled to meet the seniors’ needs and interests, physical ability and level of fitness.
The Board of Directors President, Edward ‘Butch’ Bomentre, and Gail Jean Aufschlag, the Center manager are persistently getting operations back on mission. The Board of Directors are strategically building momentum that will insure that the Bristol Adult Center continues to make significant contributions to the quality of life for seniors in the community long into the future, while increasing membership, activities and revenues.
The group is focused and committed to networking opportunities for socialization and personal enrichment and the collaboration of community services to maintain the dignity of active aging. The Center provides a vital link for older individuals, encouraging them to take charge of their health and stay involved in their neighborhood.
A Senior Center can also become a life saving station. When potent storms knocked out power and the temperatures hovered in the 90s, the building remained open until 7:00pm, giving the seniors a chance to come inside a cool location and stay out of the heat.
There are a number of volunteer positions available and even the youngest of them are truly invaluable.
Sixth grader, MacKensi Abigail Groff is willing to share her energy and smiles while she helps to serve refreshments at an evening function.
Manager, Gail Aufschlag is caring and conscientious, making certain that the Center serves a purpose, offering social benefits, as well as emotional ones.
She has given more than 30 years of her life to the center and she understands the importance the organization serves to the community.
Gail’s joy of generosity comes from her giving family. Her late parents were both lifetime members of the BC Rescue Squad. Army veteran, Staff Sgt. William Richard Bolton marked 50 years of service as a Borough patrolman and the Fire Chief of American Hose, Hook & Ladder Company No.2; and Joan [Jenkins] Bolton also worked at the Brosbe Drug Store on Mill Street.
The Mayor Gary Tosti had declared, March 11th as “William R. Bolton Day” in 1991.
The senior schedule is packed with fun and enjoyable programs and activities.
The innovative SilverSneakers “get fit” class is presented Monday-Thursday 10:30am-11:30am on the second floor, followed by card games on Monday at 12:30pm.
B-there for classic day-time bingo at noon on Tuesday and Thursday for under $5.00.
Or needle with your friends on Wednesdays at 12:15pm. The crochet and knitting projects of cancer hats and lap blankets are often donated to nursing homes and senior centers.
The doors open at 5:00pm on Wednesdays for Bingo Night. The games begin at 6:45pm. Food and refreshments [hoagies/hotdogs] can be purchased for under $5.00.
Help build muscles and increase strength, balance and flexibility on Fridays at Tai Chi classes from 10:30am-11:30am. $5.00 per class.
Every 2nd Thursday at 10:30 a.m., Healthy Eating Programs are presented by Einstein Hospital. These informative learning opportunities end with a taste of some homemade healthy food.
Discover and explore with the Center’s professional, supportive services.
Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing, is led by instructor Wanita Louise Petrino, a Center member.
Anderson K9 Training instructor, Asa W. Anderson III, has over 30 years of combined dedicated canine law enforcement and private dog training experience. He recently retired as the Head Canine Trainer of the NJ State Police, so his “hands-on” course is really the only way to go.
There is comfortable seating in the Library/ TV room and pool tables for the pocket billiard athletes.
There will soon be a gym downstairs, available to the members and a “computer room” is in process.
Nutritious hot lunches are served Monday-Friday at 11:30am for only $2.00 and the Senior Menus are published Sundays in the Bucks County Courier Times.
Save these dates.
Pack your bags! Trek to Wildwood, NJ [Monday-Thursday], September 15-18, 2014. Meals, transportation and lodging are included in the $240.00/per person package.
Grab a bingo dauber! An exciting Midnight Bingo with a snack bar stocked with fine foods and a continental breakfast is planned for Saturday, September 20, 2014.
The cost is $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door. Doors open at 9:00pm. Bingo starts at 10:45pm.
Day tripper? Take a spin into Atlantic City with your friends on Monday, October 27, 2014 for only $10.00, and $5.00 is refunded for slot-play on the casino gaming floor.
On Saturday, October 18th, the Center has partnered with the Ride for Dime Philly Chapter, a federally sanctioned 501 (C) 3 charity organization for a Pasta dinner. Ride for Dime benefits several different causes in honor of the late great Dimebag Darrell Abbott [1966-2004], the former guitarist of the bands Damageplan and Pantera. On April 6th, bikers from the Ride for Dime charity held a pancake breakfast at the Center and donated ½ of the total profit back to the Center.
A Harvest Gala with music and dancing and a buffet lunch is planned for Wednesday, November 19th. Cost is only $10.00.
Bucks County Transport can provide transportation.
Bucks County Transport, Inc. (BCT) is a private, non-profit corporation organized to provide shared ride transportation services to all Bucks County residents.
Schedule a Ride: 1.888.795.0740 / info@bctransport.org
So, can you come out and play? A year membership is only $10.00.
Lower Bucks Senior Activity Center
Gail Aufschlag, Center Manager
Wood & Mulberry Streets
Bristol, PA 19007
215.788.9238
Monday to Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
