Strike up the fun

"Patience, patience, patience," Gail Acton repeated to herself.

Picking up her ball, she eyed the 10 pins at the end of the slick, shiny lane, waiting for the perfect moment.

When she finally felt ready, she took several hurried steps and launched the ball ahead. Spinning effortlessly, the ball went straight for the pocket.

"That looks good," a fellow bowler said. With a solid clunk, the ball knocked down all 10.

"Yesssss! Strike!" Acton, of Seymour, hollered, jumping up and down excitedly.

Sitting behind her, Roger Tow, also of Seymour, put both hands straight above his head, imitating a football referee's touchdown signal.

"And it's good," he yelled.

It may have been her first strike of the day, but it sure wasn't the last as she eased into a settled rhythm.

Between turns, Acton took on the jobs of coach, cheerleader and fan, encouraging her four competitors.

"I'm just having so much fun," she said.

Bowling on Monday at Starlite Bowl in Seymour was just one of the many activities scheduled this week for the annual Senior Games, sponsored by the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department.

Earlier Monday, the same group, along with several other senior citizens, took part in dirty bingo at the Seymour Community Center in downtown Seymour.
Dirty bingo is where after all prizes are won, several more rounds are played and prizes can be traded or taken away.

Today, the games were to continue with euchre. On Wednesday, a bean bag toss and washers are scheduled, and on Thursday, the games conclude with horseshoes and a cookout at Gaiser Park.

Parks Director Jeff Vance said the Senior Games are a popular activity.

"It used to be sponsored by Aging and Community Services, but it's one of the programs they dropped because of cutbacks, so we picked it up," Vance said. "We had enough response from our local seniors that we decided to keep it going."

The only qualification to participate is you must be 55 or older.

Acton barely made the cutoff.

"I just turned 55 this summer and decided I'm ready to go, so this is my first time," she said of taking part in the games. "See what you have to look forward to when you get older?"

Working for Aging and Community Services, Acton said she has become friends with many of the other seniors.

"I serve them meals, so I know everybody," she said.

Although she didn't win at bingo, Acton wasn't disappointed.

"I had a good time," she said.

Of all the games, Vance said euchre tends to be the most popular.

"But there is a lot of action during dirty bingo, and washers, too," he said. "We usually have up to 30 playing then."

Selma Mellenbruch of Hamilton Township was no stranger to the Senior Games.

"I've come out several times," she said. "I'm not very good at bowling, but it's still a lot of fun."

Besides having fun, Mellenbruch said bowling was good for another reason.

"I think this will help work my arthritis out," she said.

"I told her it would stretch everything out," Acton added laughing. "It's good for you."

Being active and social is the whole point behind the event, Vance added.

"It's a good way to get our seniors active and to help them be with their peers," he said.

The games aren't the only activity the parks department provides to seniors.

"We take them on out-of-town trips and have a Halloween party," he said. "The seniors also serve as the judges for the Christmas light contest."

Other activities include card parties and senior dances, and the parks department works with Schneck Medical Center to sponsor a flu clinic for seniors.
Tow couldn't help but enjoy himself during bowling.

"This is the second year I've done it," he said. "I like all the activities, and we just have a good time."

Information

For information about other Senior Games activities this week, call Seymour Department of Parks and Recreation: 522-4020