Senior activities plentiful in Battle Ground area this summer

Area seniors can continue to stay active this summer with the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department.

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.

The 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.

Upcoming outings/events of The Mad Hatters Club include:

Lunch and wine tasting at Bethany Vineyards, Fri., July 11, 11:30 a.m.

Swirl, smell and sip, and raise your glass and make a toast to the good life because life doesn’t get any better than sampling some local wines in a beautiful setting. Fee is $7 for lunch on the patio that overlooks a pond and the vineyard. Wine tasting is an additional charge of $5. Meet at Bethany Vineyards, located at 4115 NE 259th St., Ridgefield. Reservations are required by July 8. Call Debbi Hanson at (360) 342-5380 to reserve a spot.

Lunch at Rocky’s Pizza, Fri., Aug. 8, 11:30 a.m.

Eat where the locals eat – at Rocky’s Pizza. Meet at Rocky’s at 11:30 a.m. for the “all you can eat” lunch buffet. Rocky’s Pizza is located at 1901 W. Main St., 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., July 14

Help others celebrate America at the July potluck. Bring your best “picnic” type entree, salad or dessert to share with the group. No main entree provided this month.

Mon., Aug. 11

Beat the heat and join some friends for a potluck and an ice cream social. Bring one of your favorite dishes to share with the group. The Senior Advisory Board will sponsor a ice cream sundae bar with all the fixings.

Bunco

Bunco is offered at the Senior Center on the third Friday of each month, noon-3 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, per day. Roll the dice and play some 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.

Battle Ground Garden Club Speaker Series

The Battle Ground Garden Club offers a monthly guest speaker series that the public is invited to attend. The public can come and learn from experienced professionals and avid gardeners who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and techniques for successfully growing plants and vegetables. The club is open to all ages, from beginners to experienced gardeners

Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Moulton Falls Room of the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground.

The Garden Club will not meet in July or August, meetings will resume in September.

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. Younger guests can also join the lunch crowd for a fee of $6.30 per person.

Lunches are served daily, Mon.-Fri., at noon. There is a $3 suggested donation for seniors. Lunches are available at the Battle Ground Community Center.

Fitness and 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:

Yoga Class

Yoga Class is available Wednesday or Friday, 10-11:15 a.m. 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. Cost for the class is $59. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or www.battlegroundps.org.

Pilates Fitness Class

Pilates Fitness Class is available to area seniors Thursdays only, 9:30-10:30 a.m. 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. Cost is $40 for a six-week session. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or www.battlegroundps.org.

Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold is available to participate in at the Community Center Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11-11:45 a.m. If you are an active older adult who wants camaraderie, excitement and fitness as a regular part of your weekly schedule then the Zumba Gold class is the perfect fit. It’s a dance-fitness class that is known for the zesty Latin music; the exhilarating, easy to follow moves; and the invigorating, party-like atmosphere. Cost is $45 per month. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or www.battlegroundps.org.

Senior Enhanced Fitness Program

The Senior Enhanced Fitness Program is offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. or from 9:45-10:45 a.m., also at the Community Center. This course is a group exercise program for people 60 years of age and older. The program helps to improve your balance, flexibility, bone density, endurance, coordination and mental sharpness, and decreases your risk of falling. Cost is $1 per person, per day.

Other upcoming events

Girls Night Out Bunco Party

Area residents are invited to a Girls Night Out Bunco Party Thurs., Aug. 7, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St. There will be dinner, wine, bunco and prizes. Cost is $20 for admission pre-sale (through July 31) or $25 admission at the door. Event includes light dinner, dessert, soft beverage, prizes for game winners and a no-host wine bar.

All net proceeds from this event will benefit the Battle Ground Veterans Memorial Fund. Event is sponsored by the Battle Ground Senior Citizens Board.

Fairgrounds Park Flea Market

The Fairgrounds Park Flea Market will be open Sat., Aug. 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Fairgrounds Park, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground, back parking lot of the Community Center. This is a free event. Find treasures and “nick knacks galore.” Fun for the entire family. Those who wish to sell items can do so for a fee of $20 per vehicle registration fee.

All proceeds benefit the Battle Ground Veterans Memorial. For event and vendor registration information, call (360) 342-5380 or visit www.cityofbg.org/fleamarket.