Battle Ground area senior citizens have plenty of activities to choose from when it comes to offerings from the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department.
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. All of these activities are listed in The Senior Scene, a quarterly newsletter that highlights activities and events in the Battle Ground area.
Activities include monthly lunch outings, monthly potlucks, bunco, pinochle, fitness and exercise programs and more.
The Senior Scene can be found online at www.cityofbg.org under “Departments,” “Parks & Recreation,” “Recreation Programs,” “Senior Programs.”
Here are the upcoming activities and events offered by the Battle Ground Parks & Recreation Department for 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 senior community members join when they can, bring an appetite and have some fun. Most Mad Hatter lunch outings are “Dutch treat,” meaning attendees pay for their own meals.
Upcoming outings of The Mad Hatters include:
• Lunch at Hockinson Cafe, Fri., April 10, 11:30 a.m.
This month, enjoy a lunch at Hockinson Cafe where they serve homestyle cooking and lots of it. Meet at the cafe at 11:30 a.m. Hockinson Cafe is located at 219 NW 20th Ave., Battle Ground.
• Lunch at Panda Express, Fri., May 8, 11:30 a.m.
Join the group to eat at the new Panda Express restaurant located in the Battle Ground Walmart shopping center. It is well known for serving fresh and fast Chinese food for more than 30 years. Meet at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. Panda Express is located at 1102 SW Scotton Way, Battle Ground.
Senior Potluck Day
Senior Potluck Day is held the second Monday of each month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Battle Ground Senior Center, 116 NE 3rd Ave., Battle Ground. There is a suggested donation of $1 per person.
Upcoming Senior Potluck days include:
• Mon., April 13
This month, celebrate the arrival of spring. Bring your favorite dish to share with the group. No main entree provided this month.
• Mon., May 11
Mother’s Day is the May celebration, and the group will be feasting on dishes that remind them of their mothers’ and grandmothers’ cooking. The Battle Ground Senior Advisory Board will provide a main entree this month.
The Garden Gate
The Garden Gate is a new 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 group and discover or rediscover gardening in North County.
Garden Gate meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, 1 p.m., at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground. There is no cost to attend.
Here are the upcoming Garden Gate meetings:
• Savory – 2015 Herb of the Year, Tue., April 7
Join Eloyce O’Connor, Master Gardener, as she talks about the 2015 Herb of the Year – Savory. Information will include what is Savory, its history and all the uses for this spicy, tangy herb.
• Attracting Good Garden Insects, Tue., May 5
Laura Heldreth, WSU Master Gardener, photographer and garden blogger, will teach you how to identify beneficial insects and how to attract them into your garden with certain plants.
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 the multiple-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, 6:30-7:30 p.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.
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.
Upcoming special events
2015 Veterans Memorial Fundraising Event
The 2015 Veterans Memorial Fundraising Event, Country Shindig Live Concert & Dance, will be Fri., April 17, 6-10 p.m., at the Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground.
Cost to attend this event is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Event will feature music by the Michele Drey Band. Admission includes one free raffle ticket. There will be pizza, beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and raffle items available for purchase.
This event is presented by the Battle Ground Lions Club and Columbia Credit Union. All net proceeds benefit the Battle Ground Veterans Memorial Fund. Tickets to the event are available at the community center or online at www.parksfoundation.us/events. Admission ticket is required for entry to this event. All guests must be 21 years of age or older.
