By John Brice
Correspondent
Senior citizens gathered together in the gymnasium at the Valley Community Center on Sportsplex Drive for the Senior Master’s Games 2023 for District 6 during the morning hours of Friday, July 14th of 2023. According to the official website for the City of Valley Senior Center, Masters Games of Alabama “is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for active adults age 50+.
Valley hosts the District 6 games every year; qualifying seniors at the district level to compete in the State Games. There is a small registration fee at both district and state levels which includes five meals, the fun walk, Parade of Athletes, Opening Ceremonies, a Dance, and a Banquet. Games include but are not limited to shuffleboard, softball throw, basketball throw, rook, dominoes and more.” Jaclyn Barresi, Center Manager for the Valley Senior Center, coordinated the event with Lanett Senior Center Manager Sandra Thornton and Wedowee Senior Center Manager Sara Moore who each accompanied groups of visiting seniors from their respective facilities.
Assisting the seniors participating in the events were Valley Parks & Recreation Director Laurie Blount, Athletic Manager Mark Hudmon, Aquatics Manager Bobby Poer and Cooter Williams. Starting off the day’s activities was a stretching session in the senior center’s community room to help limber up before the competitions began. Once they were warmed up the seniors migrated to the gymnasium where they separated into one group for the men and different groups for the women based on the age ranges of 60-64 years, 65-69 years, 70-74 years, 75-79 years, 80-84 years, 85-9 years and 90+ years. Competitive events included a nerf football toss, frisbee toss, shuffleboard and bean bag toss which qualified winning contestants for champion medals.
According to a description on the official website for the City of Valley Senior Center, it offers “a large community room, game room and computer room. Activities include card games, dominoes, table tennis, and bingo as well as holiday parties and events. Quarterly trips are provided to places of interest in Alabama. The Valley Senior Center welcomes those age 60 and over to participate in social activities.”
It goes on to continue “A hot lunch is provided to seniors ages 65 and over. Meals are provided for seniors that come to the center and are also delivered to the seniors that are homebound. Meals are limited and participation may require the participant to be put on a waiting list. The program is funded by the City of Valley and Alabama Department of Senior Services.”