SAGE offers fun and games for seniors

Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) is opening the doors of its new clubhouse for active adults and seniors in their building across the parking lot west of Sisters High School at 1750 W. McKinney Butte on Wednesday, September 4, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

There is a growing population of active adults and seniors in Sisters who have no place to meet up or hang out. There is no Jimmy's Drive-in. There are no sock hops, no American Bandstand. There are no drag races down Main Street. Sisters needs a place for older adults to go to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

Along comes SPRD with SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings & Experiences) ... the answer to the influx of Baby Boomers and retirees who have time on their hands and lots of energy to put into those things they put off doing until they had time on their hands.

Starting September 11, every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sisters now has a designated room at SPRD, which they are filling with things seniors like to do ... board games, cards, craft supplies, puzzles, books, music, movies and more. They will be offering social activities, storytelling, Sweatin' with the Oldies, book clubs, even activities to exercise your brain cells. SPRD is open to suggestions from people about what they want to be available in this room, and donations of items are always welcome. There is no cost to participate in activities in this room, but SPRD does have to pay the light bill and the cleaning crew, so donations are gratefully accepted.

In addition, classes designed with older adults and seniors in mind will be offered through SPRD. They are seeking people who have life experiences they would like to share with others who are willing to offer free or low-fee classes so they are affordable to more people.

"We don't want inability to pay to keep anyone from participating and enjoying these amenities," says Kelly Sheets, SPRD adult program director. "We will be seeking donors to create an assistance fund for seniors on limited incomes. We want seniors to be able to participate in the free and paid activities available."

The volunteer committee has come up with lots of great ideas for activities, gatherings and experiences (e.g., nutrition; cooking; healthy living; stress management; finances; taxes; budgeting; Medicare plans; walking; running; hiking; biking; golf/frisbee golf groups; trips to Bend to the Tower Theater, Old Mill District, High Desert Museum, Hoodoo; astronomy; how to use a computer or smartphone; bird watching; photography; painting; intarsia; how to plant a vegetable garden...); but they want to hear ideas from the people who want to participate and expand senior programming beyond the Wednesday SAGE group - so the community is invited for coffee and donuts on Wednesday, September 4 to meet teachers, staff and volunteers, and tell them what keeps you passionate and compassionate as you mature.

There will be a drawing for a free SPRD class and there will be free blood-pressure checks.

The building is ADA accessible.

Contact Kelly Sheets, 541-549-2091, for further information.