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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - With the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senior Services of Belmont County made the most of the opportunity for socialization Thursday, inviting seniors to a "paint and sip" lunch at the community room of its headquarters.
All of the senior centers in Belmont County were represented, including the volunteer center in Glencoe, which is not operated by Belmont County, for a total of 11 centers and 77 seniors.
Leslie Thompson, center and home care administrator, said they were putting the facilities to good use.
"Since COVID is over, we wanted to start offering more events here at our community room at SSOBC to bring all the seniors together. We want to promote the camaraderie amongst all senior centers. We work with all of our local vendors," she said, adding that as members of the Belmont County Older Adult Coalition, they are able to share information and quickly gain participants and sponsors.
She said Senior Services relies heavily on input from the seniors in planning events.
Sponsors included Foundations Health Solutions, which owns Emerald Pointe skilled nursing facility in Barnesville and Cumberland Pointe Care Center in St. Clairsville; IC Care; Diamond Pharmacy, the Park Health Center, The Pike 40; West Texas Roadhouse, Black Sheep Vineyard, Heidi Baker, LeAnn Cook, Tiffany Hartlieb, Brian Gay, J.B. Flood, Amy Elliott, Hartman's Grocery and Senior Services Director Lisa Kazmirski.
"We're already planning an older adult celebration May 18 here. It will be a luncheon and a game day. We are planning in November a veterans recognition luncheon, and Oct. 5 we are having our summer picnic in Centerville," Thompson said. "That is being sponsored by Ascent and Visiting Angels."
Thompson said on April 18, they will introduce an evidence-based training program and Tai Chi with OSU Extension at the main office. She said 30 seniors so far intend to participate.
Last year, the facility hosted three health fairs, a visit from the attorney general and it was the site of the Christmas party.
"But this year we've decided to really try to ramp things up and have the seniors here much more," she said.
Jodie Oberdick of Emerald Pointe Health and Rehabilitation helped to put on the event.
"This is a great event just to bring them all together," Oberdick said. "I think we'll see a lot more of this."
The project involved painting various designs on wine bottles and fitting lights inside.
"A lot of them think they have no artistic talent, but really anybody can paint," she said. "They're really enjoying it and having fun. There's a lot of people who don't know each other and they're communicating, so this is all about the community and bringing them together. Activity's really important when you're a senior."
Jonni Amedro, admission and marketing director with Park Health Center, said they were planning other activities such as a Price is Right game day May 18
"We'll be bringing in prizes and they'll have to guess the price," she said.
Emerald Pointe will also host a community bingo 1-3 p.m. April 11. All of the senior centers were invited to attend at 100 Michelli St., Barnesville.
Amedro said seniors were especially eager to renew these bonds after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease and lockdowns were particularly difficult for seniors.
"They were isolated long enough. They just want to get out now and socialize," she said.
Another upcoming event is a senior fair at the Ohio Valley Mall May 2.
Arlean Selvy, Powhatan Point was one of the seniors trying something new.
"It's an interesting thing to do. I didn't think I could do this," she said. "I guess I did. They always have interesting things when you come out."
Ruth Homan of Glencoe was enjoying the change of venue.
"It's a chance to get out of town once in a while," she said.
Norma Kennedy of Colerain was having fun.
"I just enjoy the outings and the friendship and I just enjoy doing little projects like this. I enjoy arts," she said.
Ruth Saffell of Bethesda also tried her hand.
"I can't paint, but I definitely want to try to make something," she said. "I go to the Bethesda center all the time. We do lots of stuff."
Lansing Senior Center Director David Ward agreed.
"It's fun. Everybody's doing really well. It's fun to get up here in the main office and get everybody together," he said. "Get them out and having a good time."