DARKE COUNTY – The Darke County Seniors exist to provide opportunities for fellow seniors to remain active physically, mentally, and socially. The Darke County Senior Center located at 5844 Jaysville-St. Johns Rd, Greenville is a place where maturity is respected and community is nourished by offering recreational activities, workshops, and social networking.
There are monthly events which include Bingo, movie day, craft workshops, chair yoga (for flexibility, strength, balance, and mental clarity), Refit (combines dance, cardio & toning), an Alzheimer’s Support Group, Lunch and Learn programs, Art with Bree, and a Mystery Lunch.
A monthly calendar of events is always available on Facebook or at the Senior Center. Additionally, the area newspapers and radio stations announce upcoming events. This month, there is another way to obtain information about the DC Seniors, which is the Great Darke County Fair. The organization will be located near the gazebo under their white canopy. The group will sell raffle tickets for the America 250 quilt, share information about upcoming events, and take orders (prepayment required) for hardy mums from Star Greenhouse, grower. Delivery will be in mid-September.
The center’s office hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm, with activities offered most mornings and early afternoons. This nonprofit is guided by a dedicated volunteer board whose leadership, vision, and tireless effort works toward meeting the community’s need for a senior center. Because the organization depends greatly on grants and donations, many local businesses generously help fund these programs.
Recent programs have included “Celebrate You Naturally.” According to Shelly Acker of I Am Well Foundation, “Twenty-eight Darke County seniors enjoyed the second annual event, which was devoted to whole-person wellness for the body, mind, and spirit.”
Participants rotated through three engaging experiences. They visited local vendors and community organizations offering wellness information and resources.
Physical therapist Amy Winner and Joy Roseberry did balance education, assessments, and exercises to improve strength and stability. There were also holistic services, including massage, energy work, sound therapy, and Thai yoga massage.
Guests also enjoyed a wonderful selection of gluten-free food prepared by Hot Dish Catering.
Shelly continued by saying “The response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants sharing that they would love to attend again next year!” and extended a special thank-you to DC Seniors Board members Denise Palivec, Tammy Eichler, Mary Rhodeheffer, Carol Hosbrook-Cole, Wally Wollenhaupt, as well as Katherine Vrazalich, Tony Baltes, and all the Darke County Seniors staff and volunteers who as Acker stated “helped the I Am Well Foundation offer this meaningful experience. We are also deeply grateful to the Darke County United Way Community Fund for awarding a grant to I Am Well Foundation, making this special event possible. A wonderful time was had by all as we celebrated connection, healthy aging, and whole-person.”
Another well-attended program was a flower arranging class presented by Irma Heiser of the Greenville Ladybug Garden Club. Irma explained how to refresh flower stems that had been in water too long, encourage carnations to open fully, and add the proper preservative to the water.
Irma used multi-pack bouquets from Kroger, including discounted flowers, to keep costs reasonable and show the importance of presentation when giving flowers as gifts.
And one mustn’t forget the parade float and participation in the Annie Oakley Parade. Volunteers, under the direction of Steve Nixon, decorated the float and subsequently either marched, line danced, or rode in the parade.
RSVP by 8/06 to hear the inspiring story of “The Gang of Seamstresses,” a philanthropic group whose work has changed the lives of cancer patients around the world, one zipper at a time. Join us Thursday, August 13th at 1:00 pm to learn how they grew from making fewer than 1,000 items in 2018 to 7,000 last year. A complete article on the group has been shared on Facebook and through our media outlets. This free event will include a donation jar for anyone who would like to support the seamstresses; all contributions will go directly to the group.
RSVP by 8/07 for the Hawaiian Luau Party on Friday, August 14th, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. This free event invites guests to wear island attire, relax, and enjoy an evening of fun, food, and music. Feel free to invite your friends to join in this evening of fun!
RSVP by 8/13 with prepayment to join Bree from Mindmeld Art Lab, LLC for a Stained Glass Mosaic project. Participants will watch a glass-cutting demonstration, practice hands-on techniques, learn design tips for maximum impact, and receive guidance for finishing their pieces at home. All materials are included. Village Green Rehab and Healthcare is sponsoring the event and snacks. Bree Burk will provide instruction.
AUGUST
05 – Wednesday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
05 – Wednesday – Beginner Line Dancing ($5) Noon
05 – Wednesday – Line Dancing ($5) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
05 – Wednesday – DCS General Meeting 3:00 pm
06 – Thursday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
06 – Thursday – Bingo 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
06 – Thursday – Movie Day “Cocoon” beginning at 1:00 pm
07 – Friday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
07 – Friday – Darke County Parks 1:00 pm RSVP by 7/31*
10 – Monday – Road Trip: On the Chocolate Trail 1:00 – 4:00 pm RSVP by 8/3*
11 – Tuesday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
11 – Tuesday – Sleep Well for Better Health 11:30 – 12:30 pm RSVP by 8/4*
11 – Tuesday – Game Day 1:00 – 3:00 pm
12 – Wednesday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
12 – Wednesday – Beginner Line Dancing ($5) Noon
12 – Wednesday – Line Dancing ($5) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
13 – Thursday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
13 – Thursday – A Gang of Seamstresses Story & Crusade 1:00 pm RSVP by 8/6*
14 – Friday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
14 – Friday – Senior Soothe Me ($10) 11:30 am – 2:00 pm RSVP asap*
14 – Friday – Hawaiian Luau with Music, Food & Fun 7:00 – 10:00 pm RSVP by 8/7*
17 – Monday – No planned activities
18 – Tuesday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
18 – Tuesday – Game Day 1:00 – 3:00 pm
19 – Wednesday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
19 – Wednesday – Beginner Line Dancing ($5) Noon
19 – Wednesday – Line Dancing ($5) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
19 – Wednesday – Alzheimer’s Support Group 5:00 – 6:00 pm
20 – Thursday – Chair Yoga 10:00 – 11:00 am
20 – Thursday – Stained Glass Mosaic project 1 – 4:00 pm RSVP & Prepay by 8/13*
21 – Friday – REFIT® 10:00 – 11:00 am
21 – Friday – The Darke County Fair Begins
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*
These events are open to anyone 55+, with a membership of $2 per year required and an *RSVP to (937) 794-2556. Text or leave a message, all communication will be addressed during office hours of 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday through Thursday. The center is located at 5844 Jaysville-St. Johns Rd., Greenville.
