Senior Program Is All Fun And Games Try-It Week Encourages Older People To Become More Active

Betty Walton, an 80-year-old from Moscow, Idaho, hung out Saturday with the pool sharks at Dinghy’s Tavern in downtown Spokane.

Teaming up with pocket billiards ace Clay Skidmore, she picked up some pointers and beat her opponents in a friendly game.

“You can always learn something about the game,” Walton said as she braced against the green felt table. “This challenges me to think, and I can get around the table by hanging on to it.”

Walton and dozens of others are participating in Senior Try-It Week, aimed at encouraging people 50 and over to become more active. More than 20 organizations are offering free classes this week for seniors who want to try new activities or reconnect with a sport they played as a youth.

The activities also are a warm-up for the region’s Senior Games, held Aug. 12-15 in Spokane. Up to 500 people from Washington and North Idaho - experts and novices alike - are expected to enter 40 events, ranging from cribbage to basketball.

“People know that they should be active, but getting them to be is another thing,” said Toni Nersesian, executive director of the Senior Assistance Fund of Eastern Washington, organizer of Senior Try-It.

“So we make it as fun and attractive as possible. If we get active in our 50s, we’re much more likely to be healthy in our 70s.”

Al Stuart, a 65-year-old former school athletic director, took up lawn bowling last year when the Spokane Lawn Bowling Club offered a day of free lessons.

Stuart has since become the club’s vice president.

“Now that I’m over 39, this is a sport that’s a little easier on my back,” said Stuart, his stocky build fitted in a purple shirt and white trunks. “I grew up in Canada and watched people play this all the time.”

Geni Holrum, a retired financial aid officer for Spokane Community College, launched her first “bowls,” as the 3-pound, elliptical balls are called in lawn bowling. She promised to return for another game.

“It’s easy to see how you could get hooked playing this,” Holrum said after rolling her bowls down the 120-foot lanes. “I’m not much of a bridge player. Besides, this is outdoors and better for me.”

Senior Try-It continues through Friday, with free darts, horseshoes, track and field, golf, pickleball and other activities. The week culminates with a senior softball game 6 p.m. Friday at Franklin Park.

For more information, call the Senior Assistance Fund at 465-9043. Registration forms for the Senior Games are available at all Healthsouth and 24 Hour Fitness locations, or by calling 245-3536 in Spokane before July 31.