Senior Center
As a major initiative for the community, the Gordon County Senior Center is vigorously adding programs and activities to their format to provide entertainment and life skills coaching for local seniors in the area.
According to Director Ann Bradford, who took over the position in May, the center strives to provide services to local seniors to make sure they realize how valuable they are to the community. “Our services are there to get the seniors involved,” said Bradford.
The center provides many programs for the county’s senior adults including exercise classes, legal aid assistance, field trips, bingo games and evening dances.
“Bingo day is a big day,” said Bradford. “We easily have more than 60 seniors show up to play Bingo.”
Other programs offered include health screenings and various seminars on such topics as tax assistance, fire safety and driver safety.
Recently, Detective Danny White and Detective Bryce Dodd with the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office visited Gordon County Senior Center for a presentation concerning ID fraud and scams. They discussed with the seniors how many of the scams are performed through the Internet and email and advised the audience to never give out personal information over the phone, to never send money to someone they do not know and to never cash a check they receive in the mail if they are not expecting a check, advising the seniors that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Dodd and White educated the seniors on several ways to protect themselves from fraud and scams.
During and after the presentation, both detectives answered questions the seniors had. They also let the seniors know that if they ever had any doubts they could always call the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office or E911.
According Bradford, the presentation was excellent and the seniors at the center are more educated on how to protect them-
selves. “We are trying to get the community more involved with the center, such as having more guest speakers give presentations,” said Bradford.
For those 60 and older, there are free l unches offered Monday through Friday, from 11: 30 a. m. – 12 p. m. through the nutrition department at the center, located at 150 Cambridge Court in Calhoun. The Center is also responsible for delivering meals to home bound citizens on a daily basis through the Meals on Wheels Program.
While all meals are free, donations are always appreciated.
Other programs offered at the center include a fully equipped exercise room, pool tables, card tables and a computer lab.
Recently, volunteers with local ministry SPLASH ( showing people love and sharing HIM) Gordon visited the center to spend time with local seniors. They played games such as Bingo, held a sing- a- long, shot pool and made crafts. SPLASH Gordon offers a unique opportunity where those who volunteer can become a missionary, sharing the love of Christ in visible, tangible ways.
According to Bradford, the seniors always enjoy groups who visit and participate in activities and had a lot of fun with the SPLASH Gordon team.
Another important aspect that Bradford is implementing is providing the seniors an opportunity to give back to the community. Attendees of the Gordon County Senior Center recently completed a community service project to assist the Food Pantry of the Voluntary Action Center when there was a dire need for dry and canned goods. The local seniors donated canned goods and nonperishable items for the Food Pantry.
“It was touching to see those who had so little to give, bringing in food for the food bank,” said Bradford. “We have so many wonder seniors here at the center.”
Bradford said that a day at the center can see as many as 60 participants or as few as 35, depending on the activity. Shopping and Bingo brings the most participation.
“The seniors enjoy going shopping and going on trips,” said Bradford. “They enjoy the flea markets especially. Sometimes we go to Rome or Dalton to shop. We aim to shop with the seniors at least twice each month.”
Another activity that is picking up steam at the center is theme parties. “We always have the annual Halloween party each October and the seniors are looking forward to that next month,” said Bradford. “But we are beginning to add more and more of the themed parties to our activities. We recently had a Hawaiithemed party and the participants loved it.”
In June, the center welcomed dignitaries and the general public to celebrate Flag Day during an outdoor ceremony, where retired General Terry Nesbitt, a Gordon County native who served several tours in the United States Army and was previously commander of the Georgia National Guard, gave a stirring speech about what the American Flag represents to him and others who have served in the military.
Bradford stressed that all activities at the center are available for those aged 50 and older; meals are available for those 60 and older. She welcomes any seniors in the Gordon County community to visit the center and participate in their programs.
The Gordon County Senior Center is located at 150 Cambridge Court in Calhoun. For more information, call 706- 629- 4144.