By The Public Communications Office
In this episode of “What’s Up, College Station?,” Marketing Coordinator Grace Hallowell and Senior Services Coordinator Kari Williamson discuss the scintillating spring senior programs at the city’s three recreation centers and the Gary Halter Nature Center.
Transcript
Grace Hallowell:
What’s up, College Station? I’m Grace Hollowell, and today, I’m joined by Kari Williamson, our Senior Services Coordinator. Hi, Kari.
Kari Williamson:
Hi. How are you?
Grace Hallowell:
I’m doing well. So today, we are here to talk about all of our exciting senior programs.
Kari Williamson:
Yes.
Grace Hallowell:
Kicking things off, I know we have some fun Seniors Night Out dances and games with a bunch of fun themes. So, which one’s coming up first?
Kari Williamson:
Our dance coming up for February, it’s going to be February 17th from 7:00-9:30 p.m. It’ll be at Lincoln Recreation Center. This is our Mardi Gras theme. So come out in your purple, your gold, and your green. We’ll have a DJ, light food and refreshments, and we’ll have door prizes. It’s just a good time, and if you don’t like to dance, we’ll have a variety of games out for you, or you can just sit, and socialize.
Grace Hallowell:
Yeah, especially in these winter months, you can get bummed out by being stuck inside in the cold, and the wet weather, especially this past week.
Kari Williamson:
Absolutely.
Grace Hallowell:
So , this is a good opportunity to get out there and shake off those winter blues.
Kari Williamson:
Yes. Then our Senior Night Out dance and games for March is going to be at the Gary Halter Nature Center on March 17th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This is going to be our Butterfly Ball, so it’s very fitting for our nature center.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes.
Kari Williamson:
It will be decorated with butterflies and spring. We’ll also have a DJ, food, refreshments, and door prizes there as well. We also have another Senior Night Out dancing and games, that’s April 21st from 7:00-9:30p.m., and that’s, again, at Lincoln Recreation Center. This is our Hawaiian Luau. And for the month of May, we’ll be at Southwood Community Center on May 19th from 6:00-9:00p.m. This will be our Country Western Night.
Grace Hallowell:
So a lot of fun themes, and you don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to.
Kari Williamson:
No.
Grace Hallowell:
But it’s encouraged if you do want to. I know the butterfly theme is exciting.
Kari Williamson:
Yes.
Grace Hallowell:
Especially with us being in the monarch migration path. So definitely, if you haven’t been out to the Gary Halter Nature Center, check it out.
Kari Williamson:
Yes.
Grace Hallowell:
It’s a beautiful facility.
Kari Williamson:
This is the perfect opportunity if you haven’t been out there. It’s beautiful, and I think it’s just a great place to have a little dance, and just socialize, and have a good time.
Grace Hallowell:
Well, awesome. Yes. I know we have, in addition to the dance and Senior’s Night Out, there’s a bunch of other stuff going on.
Kari Williamson:
Yes. So, we have a bridge tournament that’s coming up in March on Wednesday, March 29th from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Meyer Senior and Community Center. Bridge is one of our more popular card games. So, this is a chance to come out and compete. We’ll have prizes and refreshments, but we do ask that you RSVP by March 15th. You can call the Meyer Center, or you can stop by and sign up. And we’ll just play bridge and have a good time.
Grace Hallowell:
And yes, any of these programs, or even if you just want to learn more about the facilities, definitely stop by, check them out. I know you guys are so helpful in providing information and giving tours for people looking for more information. So, there’s regular senior programs that happen daily and weekly at all of our facilities.
Kari Williamson:
Yes. So, we offer senior programs to those 55 and over at all three community centers, at Lincoln Recreation Center, Southwood Community Center, and Meyer Senior and Community Center. We offer a wide variety of exercise programs, we have line dancing, and arts and crafts programs. We have a book club, we do bingo, and we offer just so much, and I’m sure there’s something for everyone.
If you just want to stop by one of our centers, we’d be glad to tell you more and show you around. If you’re just wanting to try out a class, you’re free to do that and if you also want to go on our website, that’s cstx.gov/seniors, we have all of our programs listed out with descriptions, and you can view our monthly calendar there as well.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes, and I know some of the programs are member specific.
Kari Williamson:
Yes. So, if you’re interested in becoming a member, if you live in the City of College Station, that’ll be an annual $27 for a membership. And then if you’re outside of College Station, that’ll be 32. If you just want to stop by for a daily pass, if you are living in College Station, that’s $3 for a day pass or $5 if you’re not a resident. If you just want to come and try out one of our classes, see if you like it, and if you want to sign up for a membership.
Grace Hallowell:
Yeah, that sounds like a great deal in comparison to some other fitness programs or other activity fees.
Kari Williamson:
Absolutely.
Grace Hallowell:
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about our senior programs?
Kari Williamson:
Well, if you’ve always been interested in learning more about our programs, or you’ve moved back here and you’re wanting to get involved and meet new people, I think coming to our centers is a great start. We have a great group of people who are welcoming and kind, and they would love to teach you new games and just welcome you to any of our classes. It’s just a great way to meet new people and just create a social circle.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes. I know it can be intimidating when you go into a group of people where you might not know everyone, but I know these seniors in our community and your staff are all very welcoming and you’re not a stranger for long in these programs.
Kari Williamson:
Right, and you’ll find a lot of our staff playing games and participating in these programs, so it’s just a warm, welcoming feeling.
Grace Hallowell:
Yes, exactly. Well, thank you so much for being here today, Kari.
Kari Williamson:
Thanks for having me.
Grace Hallowell:
And that’s what’s up.
You’re welcome.
Kari Williamson:
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