Newton County’s senior citizens are in the spotlight in May for Older Americans Month, and Newton County Senior Services is hosting multiple events to provide education on topics and provide a good time.
All events are hosted at the Senior Services offices in the Turner Lake Complex, 6185 Turner Lake Road, Covington (take the roundabout into Turner Lake Park). All seniors are welcome to attend; they don’t have to already be a registered member at the center.
Friday, May 16th — Senior Leadership Workshop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., lunch will be served (partially sponsored by Chick fil-A), event is free
The first part of the day will have various speakers on senior-related issues, including those on a national, state and local level, like the recently-announced plan in Covington to seek to build more affordable housing for seniors, said Freda Reed, activities coordinator for Senior Services.
The second part of the day will be devoted to issues affecting seniors’ bodies, including dealing with stress and protecting one’s self during changes in weather. The day will end with an exercise class.
Seniors are encouraged to come and ask any questions they might have about senior-related issues.
Wednesday, May 28th — National Senior Health and Fitness Day, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., a healthy lunch will be served, event is free.
The first half of the day will be concentrating on physical fitness, include exercising and muscle strengthening classes.
“A lot of our seniors like to sit and play dominoes and checkers. They won’t be able to do that in the morning,” Reed said, laughing.
The second half of day will concentrate on the mind, including playing games – they can bust out the dominoes again – and brain teaser bingo, where numbers being called out will be replaced by seniors having to solve problems to get the answer.
Thursday, May 29th — County dance, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., tickets are $5, a dinner of fried chicken, corn on the cob and other good country food will be served.
Older Americans Month will end with a county celebration, as local county artist Ron Lovin will be performing some songs and there will be line dancing.
