Senior Exercise Group in Verse

by Matthew McCargo

Parks and Recreation Director

South Boston, Virginia

SENIOR EXERCISE GROUP

Who are these people so energetic, vibrant, loving and seemingly

without a care, who greet and hug me as if was a teddy bear.

 Smiles, Hugs/handshakes going everywhere who are these

people who greet you, and actually happy that you are there.

 How are you, where have you been, glad you are better, and welcome back my friend.

The Recreation Center has become a church without a steeple,

 and through the doors come so many good people.

Some walk and talk, while others walk and silently pray for whatever

it is they need today.

 Weights clatter, and the users fill the weight room with gleeful chatter, and some gather just to hear the silly things that Seymour will say.

 And for the Lazy one’s Ms. Mitch will lovingly say, you ain’t done nothing today at least walk a few laps before you sit

down or go in there to play.

 Exercising is never a bore, while some walk others play cornhole

 in the middle of the floor. And our pool player’s men and women all pair up to play, and that’s where they spend most of their day.

 In their own time, and in their own way these adults have become children again as they laugh and play.

And I just do my best to be helpful and to stay out of their way.

Why I Love the Virginia Senior Games

by LaTanya K. Turner

Recreation Manager

Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation

2016 VRPS Vice President

…And I do, love the Virginia Senior Games

I started volunteering for the Virginia Senior Games back in 2006. Virginia Beach was hosting the games and I helped with the officiating of the horseshoe tournament. While I was there I also had the opportunity to check out some of the basketball games. At the time, I was surprised at the athleticism displayed and delighted by the enthusiasm of the participants. Up to that point most of my recreation experiences involved children or teens, I hadn’t experienced the senior population much.

Fast forward a few years and I was working with seniors, and we had our own local Senior Games! As a Parks and Rec professional and a track coach I was so excited to put two things I love together for the good of the citizens I was serving. Seniors came from all over the area to compete, have lunch and share a laugh. They walked, ran, threw the shot put, discus, and javelin and they had a grand time doing it. Some were there just for our games and some were there to practice for the “big dance”- the Virginia Senior Games. As you know, this is not a shy retiring group of folks, and the “retiring” part only refers to where they may be in this stage of their life! They are fierce competitors and some are more determined than ANY youth I’ve ever seen compete.

When the Games came to Newport News I knew it was my chance to help out again as it was in my area. I met people from all over Virginia - they came from near and far, and I enjoyed hearing of their journey to the Games and what led them to participate. As I was checking in the runners for the 50m dash, I spoke to a lady 94 years young; she said she had been competing for some time and she liked to tell people she was competing so she could see the look on their faces! The competitors range in age from 50 to infinity and are a very diverse population.

Last year, in 2015, I had the opportunity to be the “Voice of the Senior Games” …well ok, of the Track and Field portion… (self-proclaimed) and I had a blast! The spirit of competition, the pushing beyond boundaries, the teaming up with friends, the families that come to cheer them on, and the Athletes Party! (so much fun it could be its own post J), make this one of the highlights of the year, and definitely a highlight for me. If you are in the area, come on out, commit to volunteer or sign up (2020 billiards here I come!). You really don’t know what you are missing!

52 Ways to Use Your Membership: Week 18, Forever Young

Week Eighteen
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

The sing-song chime that the door alarm makes when it opens is what caused me to glance up.  At first I didn't see anything, then the hesitant little gray head poked through.  I rose from my seat and walked over, and although I didn't know it at the time, my day was about to get better and my perspective realigned.

She walked in, clutching her booklet, as he held the door for her.  She was a tiny thing, with lovely coiffed hair and a spit-spot coordinated and comfortable outfit of slacks and button-up blouse.  He was tall - very tall - and thin;  it would probably be fair to say he was gaunt.  He wore gray cowboy boots, buffed and shined, cowboy stitched polyester trousers, and a matching button-up short-sleeved collared shirt - western, of course, and all in shades of blue-gray.

They had driven from Charles City in the hopes of clarification.  She had registered for Mixed Doubles Bowling, but she wasn't sure we received it.  Her name, she told me in her slight brogue, was Annie, but everyone calls her Nan.  She was worried that the nickname had somehow interfered with her registration.  She began to explain, but he eased into the conversation, adding details and tidbits until I was able to piece things together, and a few clicks on the keyboard confirmed her registration and eased her mind.

They had a plan - to arrive a day early in order to pick up her packet, to stay in a nice hotel for the night, and to take their time arriving to the alley on competition day, because, although they are early birds, "these old bones don't get going so early anymore!"  Oddly enough, he wasn't her bowling partner - "Bill" was.  But his prevalent good nature led him to jokingly offer to "step outside" if we wanted to "girl talk" about it - how "Bill" fit into the picture!  No, he wasn't her bowling partner, but it was more than apparent that he was her partner in life, and he relished in caring for her.

He spoke directions and interstates and timing (yes, he said, he still drives I-64.  In fact, they were planning to drive to Texas this summer.)  I looked closer, and I mentally pulled back the layers and saw the etched face of the cowboy inside - the chiseled chin, the gangly limbs of great strength, the beautiful blue eyes - and he was there.  Back in my own life, Friday wasn't going so smoothly.

But, the door chime, and the pause in the day, to help with directions, maps, and phone numbers, was a gift.  The Virginia Senior Games is a big event in their lives.  They are planning their week around them.  They are carefully crossing the T's and dotting the I's so that they have everything in place far ahead of time.  He proudly told me that she has two (TWO) gold medals and is going for number three this year.

It's easy to get lost in ourselves.  There I was letting the irritation of life-glitches steer my mood.  Then the door opened.  I'm so grateful they found me, and I thank them for the sweet reminder of what we're doing all of "this" for.  As they drove away in their little sedan, the customized license plate sporting a square-dancing command - another snapshot into how they spend their time - I silently thanked them, "Mr. and Mrs. Nan".  And I thank you, Virginia Senior Games volunteers.  It's not just a catchy phrase on a logo - they really are "forever young".

Stay Strong, Relevant, and Engaged.