DARKE COUNTY – September is a great time to get involved with the Darke County Seniors, with favorite programs returning and new events being added. People often ask how to learn more, become a member, or get involved—the best way is to attend the General Meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, at the Senior Center, 5844 Jaysville-St. Johns Rd., Greenville.
All interested seniors are encouraged to attend. Future events are planned during the monthly meeting, and everyone is invited to share ideas, set goals, and help shape the center’s future.
September birthdays will be celebrated with refreshments provided by the church of the month, True Life Church, and a $20 gift card will be raffled to one member in attendance at the end of the meeting. True Life Church is located at 5990 U.S. State Route 36, Greenville. Sunday services include Healing University from 9:00 – 9:50 am, followed by worship at 10:00 am. On Wednesdays, the church offers Discipleship Evangelism from 5:00 – 6:00 pm and Bible Study from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
One of the returning programs is Geri-Fit, a popular strength-training program for older adults led by Melodie Bernhard. The class is free and limited to 30 participants. No new members may join after classes begin. Participants should bring water and 2–3 lb. weights; resistance bands will be provided. Classes begin Tuesday, September 2nd, and will be held Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Those interested in attending must *RSVP by 8/25 to reserve their spot in Geri-Fit.
Chair yoga remains a popular fitness option for the Darke County Seniors. This adapted practice allows participants to stay seated while moving through yoga-focused poses. It is suitable for anyone who wants the benefits of yoga, including those who need extra support, are managing an injury, or prefer a more therapeutic approach. Chair yoga classes will continue at 10:00 am – 11:00 am Tuesdays and Thursdays with certified instructors.
Refit is another long-standing and popular form of fitness at the center. Refit is a dance-focused fitness program designed to engage the body, mind, blending balance exercises into a single, high-energy workout that is suitable for all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced participants. The program emphasizes joyful movement, inclusivity, and community, making it more than just a physical workout–it’s a supportive and uplifting environment Refit classes will remain 10:00 – 11:00 am on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Many of the DC Seniors enjoy taking line dancing on Wednesdays. This is our longest running class and the only class that requires a $5 class fee. Choose from the beginner class offered from 12:00 – 1:00 pm or the classic class from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Line dancing is a choreographed group dance where participants perform synchronized steps in lines or rows, typically facing the same direction. Unlike partner or circle dancing, dancers do not touch each other, making it accessible for beginners and large groups. Each dance is usually associated with a specific song, and the choreography is often built around counts of music, such as 16, 32, or 64 counts, which are repeated throughout the dance. According to Stanford University, “the health benefits of dancing include stress reduction, increased cognitive acuity and the ability to ward off the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”
Additionally, Cardio Drumming will be added every Monday beginning, September 14th from 10:00 – 11:00 am with Tina McGillvary of OSU Extension Services as the instructor. Senior cardio drumming is a low impact, high-energy exercise class that combines rhythmic drumming with aerobic movements, typically using drumsticks, stability balls and buckets. It boosts cardiovascular health, coordination, and brain function while being gentle on joints, making it ideal for improving fitness and reducing stress. This can even be done while sitting if desired. This class is also free but limited to 18, therefore those planning to participate are required to *RSVP by 9/8.
There are other monthly events in addition to the multiple fitness programs, such as bingo, game day, craft workshops, an Alzheimer’s Support Group, Lunch and Learn programs, Art with Bree, and a Mystery Lunch. Time and day can be found on the monthly calendar of events which is always available on Facebook or at the Senior Center. Additionally, the area newspapers and radio stations announce upcoming events.
During the Great Darke County Fair calendars can be found at the white Darke County Seniors canopy located through the front gate and to the right of the entertainment gazebo. The group will sell raffle tickets for the America 250 quilt, sharing information of upcoming events, and taking orders (prepayment required) for hardy mums from Star Greenhouse, grower. Delivery will be in mid-September.
*RSVP by signing up at the DC Senior Center or by calling or texting (937) 794-2556. If leaving a message, please note that communications will be addressed during office hours, Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
AUGUST
24 – Monday – No planned activities
25 – Tuesday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
25 – Tuesday – Game Day 1:00 – 3:00 pm
26 – Wednesday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
26 – Wednesday – Beginner Line Dancing ($5) Noon
26 – Wednesday – Line Dancing ($5) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
27 – Thursday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
27 – Thursday – Lunch & Learn by Greenville Care Center 12:00 pm RSVP by 8/20*
28 – Friday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
28 – Friday – Mystery Lunch 11:30 am RSVP by 8/21*
31 – Monday – Art with Bree 1:00 – 3:00 pm RSVP & Prepay by 8/24*
SEPTEMBER
01 – Tuesday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
01 – Tuesday – Geri-Fit 11:30 – 12:30 pm RSVP by 8/25
01 – Tuesday – Game Day 1:00 – 3:00 pm
02 – Wednesday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
02 – Wednesday – Beginner Line Dancing ($5) Noon
02 – Wednesday – Line Dancing ($5) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
02 – Wednesday – DCS General Meeting 3:00 pm
03 – Thursday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
03 – Thursday – Bingo 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
03 – Thursday – Celebrate Seniors in the Park (Shelter House #4) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
04 – Friday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
04 – Friday – Geri-Fit 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
07 – Monday – LABOR DAY – No planned activities
08 – Tuesday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
08 – Tuesday – Geri-Fit 11:30 – 12:30 pm (Class cannot take new people)
08 – Tuesday – Game Day 1:00 – 3:00 pm
09 – Wednesday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
09 – Wednesday – Beginner Line Dancing ($5) Noon
09 – Wednesday – Line Dancing ($5) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
10 – Thursday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
10 – Thursday – Medication Safety 1:00 pm RSVP by 9/3*
11 – Friday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
11 – Friday – Geri-Fit 11:30 – 12:30 pm (Class closed to new people)
11 – Friday – Senior Soothe Me 11:30 am – 2:00 pm RSVP & prepay ASAP*
11 – Friday – Friday Fun Night Trivia 7:00 – 10:00 pm RSVP by 9/4*
These events are open to anyone age 55 or older. Annual membership is $2, and RSVP is required by calling or texting (937) 794-2556. If leaving a message, please note that communications will be addressed during office hours, Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at the Senior Center, 5844 Jaysville-St. Johns Rd., Greenville.
