The months of summer aren’t too far off and area senior citizens can keep busy with all the usual activities and outings offered by the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department.
The Senior Scene, a quarterly publication that highlights activities, events and items of interest in the Battle Ground area, is available on the city of Battle Ground’s website at www.cityofbg.org, under “Departments,” “Parks & Recreation,” “Recreation Programs” and “Senior Programs.” The Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department partners with the Battle Ground Senior Advisory Board and other area organizations to bring a variety of fitness programs and social activities for people age 50 and better.
Monthly and weekly activities include lunch outings with The Mad Hatters Club, the Senior Lunch Program, recreation activities, games, activities, events and more.
Here are the upcoming outings, activities and fitness programs for Battle Ground area seniors.
The Mad Hatters Club
The Mad Hatters Club meets on the second Friday of each month. There are no membership fees or red hats required, the only requirement is that you join the group when you can, bring an appetite and have some fun. Put on any hat, or none at all, and join the club for a variety of different lunch outings. Most outings are Dutch treat, meaning each attendee pays for their own meal.
Here are the upcoming lunch outings for The Mad Hatters Club:
• Lunch at El Rancho Viejo, Fri., June 12, 11:30 a.m.,: Join other club members at one of the local favorites for Mexican food. El Rancho Viejo is located at 19 W. Main St., Battle Ground, just east of O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Meet there at 11:30 a.m. Dutch treat.
• Lunch & Wine Tasting at Bethany Vineyards, Fri., July 10, 11:30 a.m.: Swirl, smell and sip, 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 which 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 required by Tue., July 7. Call Debbi at (360) 342-5385 to reserve your spot.
• Lunch at Northwood Public House, Fri., Aug. 14, 11:30 a.m.: Join others to eat at the Northwood Public House & Brewery located in the Battle Ground Village. The menu features locally sourced ingredients with plenty of healthy options. Meet at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m., located at 1401 SE Rasmussen Blvd., Battle Ground. Dutch treat.
Senior Potluck Day
Area seniors can participate in a monthly Senior Potluck Day the second Monday of each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Senior Center, 116 NE 3rd Ave., Battle Ground. There is a suggested donation of $1 per person. Here are the upcoming dates for Senior Potluck Day:
• Mon., June 8: June brings with it two celebrations, Father’s Day and Flag Day. Bring a hearty dish to share with friends. No main entree provided this month.
• Mon., July 13: Help 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. 10: Beat the heat and join others 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 an ice cream sundae bar with all the fixings.
The Garden Gate
The Garden Gate is a monthly guest 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. Join the meetings and discover or rediscover gardening in North County.
The meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month, 1-2 p.m. guest speaker, at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground.
Here are the upcoming dates of the Garden Gate series:
• June 2: Do your petunias die from lack of sun? Don’t despair, you can have a beautiful, colorful, flowering garden even in the shade. Join Micki Stauffer, WSU Vancouver master gardener, as she talks about types of shade plants for various situations and designing a flower bed for year-round interest.
The Garden Gate guest speaker series will be on summer hiatus in July and August. The speaker series will resume in September.
Other Senior Center activities
Bunco
Bunco is offered at the Battle Ground 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 game, so bring a dish to share.
Pinochle
Pinochle is offered at the Senior Center each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon-4 p.m. There is a nominal fee per game. Are you a pinochle card 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.
Senior Lunch Program by the Meals on Wheels People
Seniors age 60 and older are invited to join the Meals on Wheels People at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., 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 community center. Younger guests can also join the lunch crowd for a small fee of $6.80 per person.
Meals are served daily, Mon.-Fri., noon, and there is a $3 suggested donation for seniors age 60 and older. The senior lunch program will not be available on these major holidays – Thu., Nov. 27; Thu., Dec. 25; and Thu., Jan. 1.
Exercise & Fitness Programs
The Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department offers several popular fitness classes available for adults and seniors. Find one, or all, that fit your lifestyle and fitness goals.
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.
Classes are offered Thursday mornings, 8:30-9:30 a.m., at the community center. Cost is $40 for eight-week session. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 or www.battlegroundps.org.
Yoga Foundations – Beginner
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.
Classes are offered Thursday mornings, 10-11 a.m., at the community center. Cost is $25. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 orwww.battlegroundps.org.
Yoga – All Levels
A fun and energizing class welcome to all levels of experience!. Movement is linked to breath to form a continuous flow. Be prepared to move, sweat and leave feeling uplifted. Benefits of yoga include stress reduction, increased muscle tone, increased flexibility, improved strength and endurance, and fuller, easier breathing.
Classes are offered Monday evenings, 6-7 p.m., at the community center. Cost is $25 for four-week session. Registrations accepted through the Battle Ground School District Community Education Program at (360) 885-6584 orwww.battlegroundps.org.
Senior Enhanced Fitness Program
This course is a group exercise program for people 60 years of age or older. The program helps to improve your balance, flexibility, bone density, endurance, coordination and mental sharpness, and decreases your risk of falling.
Classes are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. or 9:45-10:45 a.m., at the community center. Cost is $1 per person, per day.
50-plus Travel Program
Meet new friends and see things you’ve never see in the 50-plus Travel Program. If you’re age 50 or better, you could be going on affordable day trips, exploring attractions, events, festivals and culture in the Pacific Northwest. Trips are planned and escorted by trained volunteers through the city of Vancouver Parks & Recreation Department at Marshall Center. For program information, call (360) 487-7084 or visit their website at www.cityofvancouver.us/parksrec/page/50-travel-program.
