Womack Plays Beanbag Baseball With Seniors

PRAIRIE GROVE — U.S. Rep. Steve Womack couldn’t help but brag. His beanbag baseball team won 31-24 during a seven-inning game at Prairie Grove Heath and Wellness Center last week.

Womack led one beanbag baseball team and his field representative, Jeff Thacker, led the other team for a friendly competitive game.

Womack visited the center to eat lunch with senior adults, answer questions and then play the beanbag game with them.

One issue brought up at the center was the need for a new van that would accommodate those with physical needs. The seniors would like to have a van that is more like a mini-bus with a center aisle.

Peggy Self Johnson told Womack that seniors at the Prairie Grove Center are not able to go on trips because they can’t get on the van and move to a seat.

Jerry Mitchell, executive director of Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas, said transportation is paramount to seniors. Many are not able to drive anymore and need help getting places.

Mitchell said Womack’s staff has worked with Area Agency many times.

Womack’s response to the request was that his office would work on getting a van or mini-bus with a center aisle.

Mitchell said he appreciated Womack visiting the center because it gave him the chance to talk about the importance of the Older Americans Act.

“I want to plug the Older Americans Act and that we need to keep funding it and maybe increase it,” Mitchell said.

In addition, he said federal grant funds that come through the Arkansas Transportation Department are important because the grants help purchase new vehicles. Local centers have to raise $7,000 of the cost for a new vehicle.

Mitchell thanked Womack and his staff.

“I think it’s wonderful your elected officials will come to the senior center and meet with you out there.”

Linda Willke, center director, said the seniors had a great time with Womack.

“We enjoyed him to have taken time out of his busy schedule to come and have fun with our seniors, sit down and have lunch with them and to stay and play Beanbag Baseball,” Willkie said. “To top it all off, his team won which made his day too.”

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Jeff Thacker, local representative for U.S. Rep. Steve Womack plays beanbag baseball at Prairie Grove Senior Activity and Wellness Center. Thacker led one team and Womack led the other. U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of District 31 plays beanbag baseball at Prairie Grove Senior Activity and Wellness Center last week. He spent a couple of hours at the center, eating, talking and playing the game.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER