Senior Games set to open April 13
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
* Feb. 8: Senior Games eyes April start
ELLERBE — Terry Mercer has been the last one standing when it comes to Senior Games competition. Last fall, she placed first in the women’s 60 to 64 age group in archery.
But at some point, she was also a reluctant first-timer.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
It was with that in mind that the volunteer attempted to convince, persuade and reassure potential newcomers to this year’s Senior Games of Richmond County. She suggested they form a line dancing team: Perfection not required.
The hour-long session on Monday with nearly half a dozen beginning line dancers was full of laughter and included a few missteps. That’s just fine, Mercer said.
“You don’t have to have rhythm,” Mercer, of Hamlet, said Monday during a weekly session at the Ellerbe Senior Center, “as long as you enjoy it. It’s all for fun.”
Mercer and Judy Tyndall, director of the Ellerbe Senior Center, hope to use the Senior Games of Richmond County as a springboard to increase participation in physical and artistic endeavors in the northern end of the county.
“We’re always looking for new ideas,” Tyndall said.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Terry Mercer uses her tablet to select a new song during line dancing rehearsal at the Ellerbe Senior Center at Lions Club Park.
Tyndall said she’s hopeful of creating new opportunities for men ages 55 and older to get involved. One idea is to have a woodworking workshop. Another is to put to use the cornhole boards donated by Maness Tire.
All the rage right now is pickleball — the “sweet sport with a sour name,” which is a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Tyndall said senior centers across the country, including in Hamlet, are adding pickle ball to the list of activities.
“You talk about intense,” Tyndall said. “You really need to be moving.”
Tyndall said she and Mercer recently attended a “laughing yoga” conference, yet another activity she hopes to add to the list of those offered in Ellerbe at the Lions Club-owned facility.
Currently on tap at the Ellerbe Senior Center:
* Line dancing at 1 p.m. each Monday;
* Bingo at 12:15 p.m. on Monday and Thursday;
* Art class at 12:15 p.m. each Tuesday;
* Card club at 1 p.m. each Thursday
Beginning Tuesday, March 10, the Ellerbe Senior Center will be hosting a weekly diabetes awareness workshop from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge for seniors ages 55 and older.
For more information on activities at the Ellerbe Senior Center, call Tyndall at 910-652-6006. For more information on the Senior Games of Richmond County, call Pete Wheeler at 910-206-2224 or email her at petewheeler5@yahoo.com.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Bingo is at 12:15 p.m. each Monday and Thursday.
Discussion