Staying engaged, being active and continuing to learn are important components of a healthy life, and are equally as important to aging well. As the winter months continue and the “winter blues” set in, we must be more intentional about staying engaged. Fortunately, our area has four amazing community centers dedicated to offering activities specifically for older adults.
Connections at Clark Sports Center, at 124 County Route 52 in Cooperstown, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. It offers a variety of exercise classes, including chair-based, strength training, flexibility, Tai Chi, mindfulness and yoga; bowling, music, board games, ping pong, cards, cornhole, book club, speakers, crafts and daily lunch. Membership is only $25 per year and many activities are available for free. Participants also have the opportunity to access many more recreation programs available through Clark Sports Center for an annual membership fee.
The Gathering Place has two locations, one at 127 Kenyon Road in Cobleskill and the other at 5506 State Route 7 in Oneonta. Both centers are open six days a week beginning at 9 a.m. and offer a multitude of activities, including pottery, painting, crafts, jewelry making, support groups, exercise classes, live music, dancing, card games, board games, bus trips, education classes, movies, parties and holiday celebrations. Through a partnership with Brooks’ Bar-B-Q, participants can also enjoy a daily hot meal either at the center or to take home for between $7 and $10. Membership for the Gathering Place is only $25 per year.
Tri-County Senior Center is at 43 Pearl Street in Sidney, on the Fox Hospital Tri-Town Campus and is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Participants can enjoy socialization, music, holiday celebrations, knitting and crocheting, puzzles, Xbox bowling, speakers and presentations, bus trips and much more.
For more information on each of these centers, please visit the Otsego County Office for the Aging Facebook page @otsegocountyOFA or call 607-547-4232. Printed copies of activities calendars are available at the OFA offices or you are encouraged to stop by any or all of these locations and check out the great activities that are available. There are no residency restrictions and each facility is handicap accessible.