Akron Life September 2022

FOREVER YOUNG

by London Green

meals. They can join the Lunch Bunch, a group that meets at a local restaurant each month, or they can join Lunch and a Movie, where they can watch films like “Hamilton” or “Hidden Figures” after eat ing lunch with friends — an activity that White really enjoys. She also loves going on trips with the center. She’s gone to see plays, baseball games and more, and she’s gone on a day trip to Amish Country. She recalls some of her favorites, such as seeing “Godspell” at Kent State University’s Center for the Performing Arts and cheering on the Akron RubberDucks at a home game. The center also offers trips to cross-country destinations and parks. Concerts are an unexpected favorite activ ity for her, and she’s seen performers like La Flavour and Gerald Harris, who she was very impressed by. “He’s a performer,” she says. “It is some thing we probably wouldn’t primarily do if it wasn’t through this.” FOREVER FRIENDS White emphasizes that she has gained sev eral friends through the center. They enjoy carpooling to the center’s trips together. “I’ve met so many wonderful friends,” she says. “When I leave here, I’ll pick up a couple of our girls on the way. The oldest one’s 86, and the youngest one’s probably 81 — us girls.” She explains that many of them are going through the same things in life. “We’re all in the same position where we lost our husbands,” she says. She recommends others join to experi ence that camaraderie. “You walk in there, and everybody speaks to you,” she says. Despite living in Akron, she has formed close relationships with members of the center and spends most of her time in her new community that has gotten her through a lot. “I say that Barbertonians adopted me,” White says. “It saved my life. I really, really believe that.” Residents and nonresidents 50 and older, $22-$27 annual fee, 500 W. Hopocan Ave., Barberton, cityofbarberton.com

Get Together Clubs can be an outlet for socializing with other older adults.

ties, which sometimes include parties where they listen to music and chat. “We do a lot of whatever you like to do on that day,” Buck says. ENTERTAINMENT The club gets out too. Members take a variety of bus trips, some times day trips or overnight ones to nearby places like Amish Country, Pennsylvania or Michigan. They also have fun locally, with outings that include casinos and plays. CONVERSATION Sometimes, members just like to visit and talk with one another. Buck opens the floor for members to bring up topics they want to discuss. “Finding out what’s going on, What’s on your mind? , or information that you want to know,” he says. “It’s something for seniors to socialize and keep up with the world and keep up with your community.” Young at Heart Club, Lawton Street Community Center, 1125 Lawton St., Akron, Mondays, 1-3 p.m. For more social clubs for older adults in Akron, visit akronrecreationandparks.com.

As we age and retire, our social calendars might not be as full as they once were. Having a regular social function on the calendar can provide stability and con nection, and joining a club is one of the easiest ways to regularly socialize, get out and have some thing to look forward to. Many cities’ parks and recreation departments offer social clubs and activities for older adults that meet often, like the Young at Heart Club, which meets weekly at the Lawton Street Community Center in Akron. The club’s president encourages people to join for fellowship. “We try to have fun for anyone who comes in,” says Arthur Buck, president of the Young at Heart Club. “Enjoy yourself, relax and have a good time.” He shares what it’s like to be a part of the Young at Heart Club. HANGING OUT The laid-back group is geared toward socializing among the 20 or 30 people who come in for meetings. It lets mem bers drive the choices for weekly activi

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