Seniors Officially Ring In The New Year!

Center staff celebrates with the New Year's Gremlin.

Sparkling in their finery, area seniors gathered at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center on January 20th to celebrate and ring in the New Year at their annual New Year’s Party and Dance! The Center glittered with festive decorations, hats, and horns as the merrymakers counted down with the gongs, cheered, hugged, and sang “Auld Lang Syne.” They know the new year is never really "official" until they welcome it together at their annual party! 

After parading through the Center in a rousing conga line and New Year's chain dance, they enjoyed a delicious lunch and toasted and shared their memories of the holidays. With Al Batistelli's music filling the hall, they whirled to the waltz, swing, tango, and Latin dances so popular now as lively line dancers circled the floor. The seniors love the music and especially love to dance! Those who weren’t dancing were tapping their toes, singing, and enjoying the festive atmosphere and the beautiful melodies. After a delicious dessert and bowls of punch, many happy party-goers won great raffle prizes and lovely centerpieces. A truly fun and exciting way to welcome the New Year, meet old friends, and make new ones! 

The Smallwood Center hosts a dance on the third Wednesday of every month. You can get a schedule of all parties, dances, and their countless other activities by picking up a copy of the Center's 32-page Newsletter-Magazine, "The Center Line," published on the first of every month. On Wednesday, February 17th they are holding their "Seniors' Winter Mixer and Dance" at the Center from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. There, seniors can dance away their winter blues to the music of Wayne Tomsic, enjoy great company and refreshments, enjoy a Dance Contest, make new friends and brighten up a February afternoon!  Tickets for this dance are $6.00 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. All seniors are welcome for a really fun afternoon! 

If you are over 55 years of age, come to the Center any weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. It’s located at 7001 West Ridgewood Drive (behind Parma City Hall, up the hill at the first light east of Ridge). JoAnn Mason, Director of the Center, or one of the friendly, capable staff will be happy to show you around.  Join them for lunch at noon and take part in any of the many fun, informative, and healthful activities on the schedule every day! They offer line dancing, group singing, pinochle, bridge, chess, pool, support groups, conversation groups, crafts, senior exercise, Wii leagues, a low vision group, Veterans group, Movie Day, Bingo, parties, dances, trips, advice on health coverage and programs available to seniors, and so much more! Since they have partnered with the Parma YMCA, even more outstanding exercise and dance classes are offered, as well as many more fun and interesting programs and events! There is something for everyone!  

There are special days for free blood pressure and health screenings and great informative presentations by many senior-related providers. They also offer home delivered meals and bus transportation programs.  (Call 440-885-8143 for bus details) Their monthly Newsletter-Magazine, "The Center Line," has a complete listing of lunch menus, calendar of daily activities, party and trip listings, local events, and great articles for seniors! Also, be sure to visit their colorful, musical website at www.smallwoodcenter.com for a calendar of monthly Center activities, monthly lunch menus, trip listings, lots of photographs, and links to many helpful and informative senior sites. 

Stop in at the Center! You’ll be so welcome — and you'll be so glad you did!

Have a little spare time? The Smallwood Activities Center always needs volunteers, especially to help set up and decorate for parties and dances!  If you’d like to be part of this helpful, friendly group and make new friends, please call 440-885-8800 for more information, or to ask any questions about this outstanding facility for seniors.

Judy Martins

Judy Martins

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Volume 8, Issue 2, Posted 9:53 PM, 02.02.2016