Seniors enjoy 2017, look forward to 2018

Green River seniors kicked off 2017 early last year with an exciting party and from that point on they experienced a lot of fun events.

After ringing in the New Year, seniors at the Golden Hour Senior Center participated in the Lets Get Crafty class. Throughout the year, this group made all sorts of crafts, including wreaths, hats for school children and decorations for almost every Holiday.

Last year, in January, Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center residents had an indoor snowball fight with soft balls. It was a way for the residents to remain active in the winter.

"We try and find activities like that," CRRC executive director Bobbi Jo Drozd said during the game. "At this age we are just focusing on motion."

In February, the GHSC celebrated the Super Bowl with a party. Those attending played games and ate Super Bowl related foods, including popcorn, football-shaped cookies and chocolatey treats.

Also in February, GHSC switched over to disposable trays for its meals on wheels program. This move not only saved the center money, but made it more convenient for the recipients of the meals since the containers were microwavable and oven safe. Often times, this is the only meal these people get, so they will usually eat only half and save the rest for later.

In March, the residents at the CRRC helped out the community by painting bowls for the annual Bowls of Caring fundraiser hosted by the Sweetwater County YWCA. Prior

to the fundraising dinner, residents throughout Sweetwater County are encouraged to host painting parties where basic bowls are purchased and painted. The bowls are then glazed and fired and auctioned off at the event.

Also in March, the GHSC partnered with AARP, Deer Trail and the Young at Heart Senior Center for the Care for Critters program. This program is designed to help seniors by donating pet food, paying for vaccinations and medications and anything else they might need for their pets. In some cases, seniors will forego buying medications they need, so they can buy food for their pets.

In April and throughout the rest of the year, GHSC residents participated in the Better Balance Class at the center. This class teaches participants to move without injuring themselves. It's a way for them to improve balance so they are less likely to fall and get hurt.

Also in April, the CRRC hosted its annual Easter Carnival, which is one of their most attended events. Some of the activities children participated in, included pin the tail on the bunny, crafts, cakewalk and bean bag toss.

In May, the GHSC hosted a volunteer appreciation luncheon to show the volunteers just how much they mean to the center. Almost all of the activities are run by volunteers, who spend a lot of their own time organizing the classes.

Also in May, the GHSC hosted a Mother's Day tea. During this tea, attendees, mostly women, were dressed in their best while they drank tea, socialized, ate snacks and desserts. A Father's Day barbecue was then hosted in June.

Also in June, the GHSC hosted it's annual flea market. Tables with all sorts of items were placed in the parking lot as residents stopped by to see what sort of deals they could find.

When seniors weren't involved in activities or classes, they were attending classes. One class they attended provided information on how to pick out a scam. Seniors learned why scammers target them, how to determine if the person calling or emailing is a scammer and how to get rid of a scammer and report the scam.

They also learned how to operate their own computers and cell phones. With technology always changing, the GHSC provided classes on how to keep up with the technology and social media so the seniors can see what their family and grandchildren are doing.

In July, CRRC residents visited the Sweetwater County Fair and while all agreed their favorite part was the food, they couldn't agree on which activity was the most fun. However, some residents did visit the petting zoo more than once.

One of the biggest events of last year for the entire state, not just for the seniors was the solar eclipse. Seniors and residents alike were wearing special glasses to see the solar eclipse. The center wasn't the only place hosting a viewing party.

One big trip the CRRC residents took this year was to the Flaming Gorge Reservoir where they caught fish and enjoyed the views from the boats rented. A lot of the residents had a family member of friend come with them for the outing.

In October, GHSC celebrated Halloween with a small party and attendees were invited to wear costumes, while the CRRC residents hosted a trick-or-treating event at the facility. More than 500 kids attended the event at the CRRC, and residents enjoyed handing out candy to the children.

In December, GHSC hosted its Christmas Craft Fair, while CRRC residents decorated Christmas cookies. The year ended with Christmas celebrations and discussions of what the new year might bring.

 

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