Area seniors can keep active and stay social during the fall months by participating in a variety of senior activities offered in the Battle Ground area.
Upcoming senior activities offered by the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department can be found in the Senior Scene, a quarterly publication of the Battle Ground Senior Advisory Board and the Parks & Recreation Department. This newsletter highlight activities, events and items of interest in the Battle Ground area. The newsletter can be found at www.cityofbg.org by clicking on “departments,” “parks and recreation,” “recreation programs,” and then “senior programs.”
Area seniors will see a variety of activities to choose from, including lunch outings, the Battle Ground Garden Club Speaker Series, fitness programs and more. Here are some of the upcoming senior activities in the Battle Ground area.
Mad Hatters Club
A popular activity among seniors in the Battle Ground area is joining The Mad Hatters Club for their monthly lunch/meal excursions. The Mad Hatters Club meets on the second Friday of each month and there is no membership fee or red hats required. The club, which is the Battle Ground version of the Red Hat Society, offers seniors a monthly chance to get out and have some fun and conversation, along with some good food.
Most of the club’s outings are Dutch treat, which means attendees pay for their own food when the group goes out for a meal. Attendees meet at each individual location for lunch, unless otherwise noted.
Upcoming outings/events of The Mad Hatters Club include:
Lunch at Mill Creek Pub Fri., Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m.
Join group members as they check out one of the more popular lunch spots in town, Mill Creek Pub. They are known for great food in a casual setting. The restaurant is located in the Gardner Center next to Battle Ground Cinema, at 1710 SW 9th Ave., Battle Ground.
Senior Center activities
The Senior Advisory Board sponsors a variety of activities for the Battle Ground area. These activities are open to an senior who wants to participate. They are offered on an ongoing basis at the Senior Center, located at 116 NE 3rd Ave., Battle Ground.
Senior Potluck Day
Senior Potluck Day offers area seniors a chance to try some different foods and visit with friends. The potluck day is the second Monday of each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Senior Center. A $1 per person donation is requested.
Upcoming dates for the Senior Potluck Day include Mon., Nov. 10, when they can celebrate Thanksgiving and join others to give thanks for wonderful friends and good food. Do you have a Thanksgiving side dish that you always make and is a family favorite? Bring it, share it and everyone will give thanks. No main entree served this month.
Garden Gate monthly speaker series
The Garden Gate is a new monthly speaker series on everything gardening, from flowers and vegetables to yard maintenance and landscaping. The public is welcome to come and learn from experienced professionals and avid gardeners who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and techniques for successfully growing plants and vegetables. People of all ages, from beginners to experienced gardeners, are welcome.
The speaker series will be held on the first Tuesday of each month, 1 p.m., at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground.
This meeting is free to attend.
A speaker series’ topic for November will be announced soon.
Senior Lunch Program
Seniors, age 60 and older, are invited to join the Meals on Wheels People on weekdays for a hot and nutritious lunch. Typically there are two entrees offered each day. A monthly newsletter, which includes a complete menu, is available at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground. Younger guests can also join the lunch crowd for a small fee of $6.30 per person.
Meals are served daily, Mon.-Fri. (except holidays), noon, at the community center. There is a $3 suggested donation for seniors age 60 and older. Lunch will not be served on Mon., Sept. 1 and Thu., Nov. 27, in observance of major holidays.
Bunco
Area residents can play bunco on the third Friday of each month, noon-3 p.m., at the Battle Ground Senior Center, 116 NE 3rd Ave., Battle Ground. Cost is $5 per person, per day. Roll the dice and play bunco. This game is fun and fast paced. Anyone can play, no previous game experience or partner required. It’s easy and fun to learn and play. Potluck served at noon prior to the game, so bring a dish to share.
Pinochle
Pinochle is offered weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from noon-4 p.m., at the Senior Center, 116 NE 3rd Ave., Battle Ground. There is a nominal fee per game. Are you a pinochle player? If yes, then join others for either single deck or double deck games. Having a partner is not a requirement to play. Potluck served at noon prior to game, so bring a dish to share with the group.
Fitness & wellness programs
There are currently four different senior exercise and fitness programs available for seniors to choose from at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground. Area seniors can find one that fits their lifestyle and goals, or try them all.
Fitness programs offered include:
Pilates Fitness Class
Pilates helps to build flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination and increases circulation. People who do Pilates say they have better posture, are less prone to injury and experience better overall health. All classes are a six-week session.
Pilates classes are Thursday mornings, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the community center. Cost is $40 for the six-week session. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or at www.battlegroundps.org.
Yoga Class
Yoga has proven to have profound healing benefits such as increased flexibility, stamina, strength, muscle tone and range of motion, and an overall well being and ease in daily life.
Yoga is offered Thursday mornings, 10-11 a.m., at the community center. Cost is $59. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or at www.battlegroundps.org.
Vinyasa Yoga
The word vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” Breathing technique is very important in the vinyasa style of yoga. You move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. This course helps individuals to gain balance and flexibility, and you will also notice an increase of stamina and endurance after performing vinyasa yoga.
Vinyasa yoga is offered Monday evenings, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the community center. Cost is $59. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or at www.battlegroundps.org.
Senior Enhanced Fitness Program
This course is a group exercise program for people age 60 and older. The program helps to improve balance, flexibility, bone density, endurance, coordination and mental sharpness, and decreases your risk of falling.
This program is offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. or 9:45-10:45 a.m., at the community center. Cost is $1 per person, per day.
