Beanbag baseball is a popular activity at Mount Olive’s Senior Citizen Center, with the Go Getters squaring off against the Sharp Shooters. Here, Sharp Shooter Peggy Barwick tosses the beanbag, hoping to get on base — or better yet, score a homerun.(Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Parks and Recreation director Josh Phillips, left, oversees a game of beanbag baseball at the Senior Citizen Center. Grace McArthur, center, is on second base, and JD Hines is on first.(Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
During the second inning of a beanbag baseball game at the Senior Citizen Center, the Go Getters are up one run over the Sharp Shooters — but there’s still a lot of game left to play.(Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Seniors gather at the Senior Citizen Center to put together puzzles, and play cards and board games. Left to right, Judy Chapman, Bettie Strickland, Lynn Joyner and Jonelle Lawrance play a fun — but competitive — Canasta-like game called Hand and Foot.(Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Tuesday evenings, from 6-7 p.m., Patricia Curtis, far right, teaches line-dancing at the Senior Citizen Center. Non-seniors often join in.(Teresa Rose|Courtesy photo)
Teresa Rose, far left in red sweatshirt, describes line-dancing at the Senior Citizen Center as ‘fabulous exercise.’(Teresa Rose|Courtesy photo)
“My hope is for seniors to feel a sense of belonging and have something to look forward to each day,” says Mount Olive’s Parks and Recreation director, Josh Phillips.
To that end, he makes certain the town’s Senior Citizen Center, located at 711 NW Center St., is a hub of activity throughout the week, with an art class on Monday, beanbag baseball on Tuesdays and Thursdays, line-dancing on Tuesday evenings, and BINGO on Wednesdays. Additionally, folks gather for card games, board games and puzzles, and, says, Phillips, “we have spontaneous parties, movie matinees, and get-togethers throughout the year.”
The activities are for those 60 and older and are not limited to Mount Olive residents.
Monday’s art class meets from 1-4 p.m. and is led by Patricia Curtis. The class isn’t structured, according to Phillips. “It is mainly a handful of people painting at their own pace,” he explains.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1-3 p.m., seniors gather to play beanbag baseball, which, Phillips says, “seems to be the favorite of our activities.” This is a cornhole-type game, with beanbags tossed toward a platform that has cutouts representing first, second and third bases, foul balls, homeruns and outs. Players take their base by walking to one of three chairs set up in the room. Any lucky (or skillful) player who hits a home run, pauses after rounding third to pick up a piece of candy.
It’s a very social game, Phillips says. “We’re talking non-stop. We’re laughing, we’re joking.”
The seniors are divided into two teams, the Go Getters and the Sharp Shooters, and the noise level can ratchet up a notch during a crucial play. “We holler when someone’s on base and we can’t bring ‘em home,” says Go Getter Linda Jackson. But, she adds, “we cheer for both sides.”
Devon C. “Bill” Herring, a Go Getter, started playing beanbag baseball in 2018 when he retired. “I enjoy the fellowship with people,” he says.
Indeed, fellowship seems to be the draw for most people. When asked why she plays, Sharp Shooter Annette Hansen (whose husband, Richard, is on the Go Getters team), sums it up in one word: “Camaraderie.”
Tuesday evenings, from 6-7 p.m., an entirely different energy fills the senior center when folks gather for line-dancing, which is also led by Patricia Curtis. Even though the activity is very different, the reasons for coming are the same.
“Fellowship,” Teresa Rose answers, when asked why she attends line-dancing. And, she adds, “It’s great exercise, fabulous exercise.”
Plus, says Rose, there’s an additional perk: “You never know when you’re going to go somewhere where there’s line-dancing, and we like to have it up our sleeve to know we can do that.”
Rose stresses that no one should let a lack of experience or know-how prevent them from attending, noting that the class is for beginners and that all are welcome.
BINGO is the name of the game at the senior center on Wednesdays, from 1-3 p.m. The games are currently being called by Lynn Joyner — who both participates in the center’s activities and volunteers to help when needed — and she explains that each BINGO session consists of 12 regular games and four specials. Prizes for the regular games usually consist of several pieces of fruit (“since seniors are supposed to be healthy,” Joyner says with a smile), but prizes for the special games (perhaps a box of candy or cookies) allow for a little unhealthy indulgence. Prior to play getting underway, Joyner says participants like to gather ‘round to size up that day’s prizes. The winner of the afternoon’s coverall game gets whatever prize is judged to be the best.
Claire Walker participates in both BINGO and beanbag baseball. “I come here every day that I can, which is almost every day,” she says. “I love these people. They’re just precious. It’s such a nice place for us.”
Phillips says that when someone visits the senior center for the first time, whether it’s to give beanbag baseball a try or to simply spend time putting together a puzzle with friends, “they fall in love with what we’re doing…They realize this is a place for them.”
Organizing activities for the seniors is clearly more than just a job for Phillips. “This is definitely a bright part of my day and theirs, as well,” he says.
With regard to the many activities offered at the center, Joyner is quick to give Phillips credit, saying “None of it would happen without him.”
“Josh Phillips is a gem,” says Mount Olive Middle School teacher Beth Rose, whose seventh graders have established a relationship with the senior citizens. “The seniors absolutely adore him and his family. He goes out of his way to make sure they are always up to something fun!”
For Phillips, the goal is to reach as many seniors as possible. “We welcome everyone with open arms,” he says. “Feel free to stop by and see how much fun we have.”
Anyone with questions about the Parks and Recreation activities at the Senior Citizen Center should contact Josh Phillips at 919-658-9538, ext. 103, or 919-738-2602 for more information.
