29 Sep 2022 Senior centers become the heartbeat of Central Arkansas counties
By Judy Riley
This is a tale of two towns, 35 miles apart, in the heart of the 501, offering a myriad of opportunities for seniors. There’s never been a better time or better place to be a senior citizen than in Beebe or Conway. These two locales are front and center keeping seniors healthy, active and engaged. They have it all, from watercolor classes to aerobics, to making new friends. In short, there is something for everyone.
The “activity of all activities” offered at Conway’s Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center is called Drums Alive. And it is hard not to get excited about this aerobic exercise. Taught by Sherri Lachowsky, the center’s health and wellness coordinator, certified Drums Alive® trainer and 25-year veteran of teaching exercise, participants follow commands to move and dance, using drumsticks to beat on exercise balls. Drums Alive is a total body workout that promotes physical, social, emotional and cognitive health at all life stages. Evidence-based research from several universities substantiates the value for older adults. Results have been published in scientific journals. More information on researched benefits is available at hello@drums-alive.
“The good thing about Drums Alive and all the other exercise offered is that there is a solution for any level of fitness,” Sherri said. “Whether you are an exercise junkie or have been sedentary for a long time, each class is designed to meet you where you are and help you build up to being stronger than before beginning exercise.”
Patricia Walker, a retired hairstylist originally from Damascus, has been a faithful participant of Drums Alive for five years. She said that Sherri keeps them active, telling jokes, keeping them moving and changing the routine each day. Gerard Ledet, once a drummer in his brother’s band, hails from New Orleans. He said there are three reasons he never misses a class: he loves the music, it keeps him active and he loves the people. Pat Bass has been with Drums Alive since 2017. She is a retired medical assistant and loves the music, the dancing and the people. She said, “It makes me think, makes me laugh, makes me happy, and it doesn’t get any better than that!” The lively music and enthusiastic participants make you want to jump right in, grab some sticks and an exercise ball and get after it.
The Hawks Center is one of six senior centers operated by the Faulkner County Council on Aging. Director Kathy Wyrick said, “I have a passion for seniors, as do all our incredibly dedicated team. In addition to Drums Alive, we offer Peppi Strength Training, Silver Sneakers, chair yoga, yoga, indoor walking, bean bag baseball and chair volleyball. There is no charge for participating in any of the activities for individuals 60+. We do suggest a donation of $3 for lunch; however, we don’t track who pays. The centers are partially funded by CareLink, grants from United Way and other agencies, but we are always looking for support. The Hawks family have been generous donors. We are blessed every day to have the opportunity to serve seniors.”
Just down Highway 64, east of Conway, there’s the Shepherd’s Center in downtown Beebe. The facility is an inconspicuous metal structure attached to the back of the First United Methodist Church. The Shepherd’s Center is a national organization and is operated separately from the church. Funding for the building was donated by the Greenberg family, formerly of Beebe, whose descendants thought they could honor their parents’ legacy by serving seniors. Their mission is to create meaningful opportunities for service, lifelong learning and individual well-being for older adults. Their vision is to transform aging into an empowering experience for living a life of meaning. Popular classes, all taught by volunteers, include fine arts, watercolor, acrylic painting and pencil drawing. Add to that exercising, line dancing, quilting, genealogy and technology classes. And then there are the games: bingo, bridge, Mexican train and dominoes.
Rose Richardson, center director, enthusiastically talks about the various classes offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, plus a home-cooked meal on Wednesdays. Seniors pay $10 per eight weeks, to take all the classes they wish. The Wednesday meal is available for $5 per plate, with some delivered to shut-ins. The Shepherd’s Center depends on generous donations from the community. They are in current need of funding for an automatic door as many seniors use walkers or wheelchairs. Participants are of one accord: the benefits are legion. According to Norma Brewer, “This gets me out of the house and is a way to visit with others. I look forward to each day.” Dottie Rye, a regular since 2017 said she loves learning new things. She added that the classes and the fellowship fill a void in many lives.
Whether it is a quiet group of friends studying how to transform a still life onto a personal canvas or an enthusiastic group pounding out a rhythm with drumsticks to lively music, you’ll find it at these senior centers. The enthusiasm at both centers is contagious. They are going where we all want to go as we age, smack dab in the middle of a circle of friends having fun, enjoying life and getting exercise of the mind and body, all at the same time. Clearly, friendship, fun and fitness await just for the asking!
