Berks Senior Centers: Beyond Bingo

What does it mean to be a senior citizen?

Every day, older Americans are rewriting the script

and challenging past perceptions. They lend their vibrancy, enthusiasm and energy to enrich the communities at the six Berks Encore Centers. Explore the variety of activities available to anyone over 50.

Birdsboro

Enjoy the family atmosphere and get closer to nature in Birdsboro. “We have a creek right beside the center, which means we have a lot of different wildlife,” says Christine Loos, the manager.

Get active with exercise classes like Pound, Sit and Get Fit, Toning, Chair Yoga and Tai Chi. Feel confident by enrolling in a self-defense class. Make delectable delights in a cooking class, or learn to knit.

Engage your creative side with art classes including painting and doodle art. Join Berks Encore Rocks and paint a message or design on a rock. The rocks are hidden locally to spread joy and kindness from the creator to the finder.

Lend a hand at the community outreach club. This group works on projects to benefit a local charity. Past projects include treats for the Animal Rescue League, Easter baskets for the Children’s Home of Reading, and hygiene kits for the Veterans Coalition of PA.

Celebrate with parties and sing alongs, join the lunch bunch, or enjoy retro TV. Expand your skills with technology assistance, play bingo, or test your knowledge with trivia days.

The number and type of activities varies monthly, so check berksencore.org for the latest information. New ideas are always welcome.

Located in a community center building, this senior center offers inter-generational activities — a wonderful way to unite people of all age groups. In the summer, seniors and children attending summer camp do art projects together.

Fleetwood

“The most important thing about my center is the wonderful seniors who volunteer here each and every day to make this a welcoming place for others,” says Terry Becker, the manager.

Participate in artistry and craft classes. Unravel the mystery of Zentangle and create your own drawing using structured patterns. Relax with adult coloring or rock painting. Learn the art and science behind using essential oils in aromatherapy.

Stay active and meet new friends in the walking club. Get in the groove with a Line Dancing class, or devise your own routine in the exercise room. The artistry, craft and exercise classes are free, so take a leap and try something new.

Tai Chi is particularly popular at the Fleetwood Center. Boost your mood and increase fitness with this blend of gentle physical exercise, stretching and mindfulness. Tai Chi can help improve balance and flexibility, while reducing the risk of falls.

Enjoy a rousing game of pinochle, bingo or pokeno. This fast-paced card game is a combination of poker and keno.

Fifteen to 18 activities occur each month at the Fleetwood Center. Many are offered weekly, and some occur twice a week.

According to Becker, there is a strong sense of community in Fleetwood. “There are folks that come in here and tell me that they are so glad they found us and what a difference we’ve made in their lives. That truly makes it all worthwhile!”

Mifflin

A diverse age group spends time at the Mifflin Center. Some are in their 50s, some are in their 90s, and many are in between. When it comes to planning activities, “I love to know the interests of our participants,” says Kate Sweinhart, the center’s manager. “I love suggestions and I look to our participants to keep them coming!”

Put on your sneakers and get moving. Mifflin offers eight different ways to stay active: Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Pound, Sit and Get Fit, Strength and Balance Training, FABS (Flexibility Aerobics Balance and Strength), Line Dancing and Zumba. Line Dancing and Sit and Get Fit are among the most popular exercise classes. The Pound class (which sees participants exercise with drumsticks) began after it became popular at the Strausstown Center.

Discover the many aspects of healthy living. Each month you’ll find health presentations and a blood pressure clinic, so you can know your numbers. Five exercise classes are free to anyone over 60.

Fifteen ongoing activities are offered each week, and 21-time events happen monthly. A card club, bingo and craft classes abound. Kindness rocks are painted and added to the countywide treasure hunt.

Looking for a field trip? The Mifflin Center has a group that meets twice a week at Berks Lanes for bowling fun and a group that enjoys a monthly breakfast at Friendly’s.

Reading

“Our center is centrally located, and there are many senior apartments and highrises around,” says Jim Youndt, the manager. The Reading Center is the largest and was the first to open in Berks.

On the lower level, you’ll find a fitness center and a room with table shuffleboard and two billiard tables. Rack the balls, break, and get ready to have fun. You can also join an exercise class, such as Chair Yoga, Pound, and Sit and Get Fit.

Lend your voice and reap the benefits of singing. The Reading Center is the home of the Berks Encore Horizon Singers Choral Group. This group rehearses weekly and has been performing for more than 25 years. Joining a chorus is a great way to meet new friends, reduce stress, and feel good.

In addition to bingo and pinochle, you can relax with friends and play board games. Enjoy movies, karaoke and entertainment programs. Engage your creative side with a variety of arts and crafts. Spend time in the computer lab: check emails, explore the web, and expand your skills.

Education programs abound at Reading. Learn about seasonal safety, nutrition and living well. Discover health and wellness programs. Be sure to stay for lunch — it’s free for anyone 60 or older. Enjoy good food and a lively chat.

Strausstown

“The Strausstown Center is truly one of the best kept secrets of this area. The coolest things are the people who come here and friendships that have resulted from people attending the center,” says Andrea Gebely, manager.

Build your strength and stamina. Work out in the center’s well-appointed fitness room or join a class. Pound and Chair Yoga are two popular options. Pound is a fun, upbeat class. Chair Yoga provides a gentle way to boost flexibility and body awareness.

Each day, four or five different activities are offered. Go back to class with health and wellness education, technology, or craft classes. Participate in a range of art workshops, including watercolors and fused glass bowls.

“I’m always looking for ideas for new activities and clubs and love when participants come to me with suggestions. Some of our most successful programs were because someone came to me with a great idea,” says Gebely.

This neighborhood spot is an ideal place to hang out. In addition to scheduled activities, you can stop by to play cards or bingo, do puzzles, and have a great conversation. If you are 60 or older, you can enjoy a hot lunch every day. Monthly socials are another way to celebrate with friends.

The Strausstown Center is also a great place to enjoy musicals. On Nov. 15, the Mt. Gretna Theatre will perform Life on the Mississippi, based on Mark Twain’s autobiography.

Wernersville

Become part of a close-knit community. “At Wernersville, many of the people socialize outside of Berks Encore. Most live within close proximity of one another and have formed friendships and do things together on a regular basis,” says Melissa Ludwig, the center’s manager.

Fitness and fun abound at Wernersville. Choose from a dozen exercise classes, including Pilates, Yoga, Asian Fusion, Zumba, Line Dancing and Social Dancing. Zumba is one of the most popular classes and is offered three times a week. You can also stay active on the treadmill and exercise bike.

Get in the game with table tennis, pool and shuffleboard. Score a home run and team up with friends for a game of bean bag baseball. Play bridge and engage your brain. Lend a hand clipping coupons and collecting cellphones for veterans. Get crafty with a variety of projects, like wreaths and bath salt sundaes.

Conrad Weiser students visit monthly for a technology assistance program. Get answers to your questions about computers, cameras and phones, and share your wisdom with the younger generation. Check your email and surf the web using the center’s tablets and free Wi-Fi.

Enjoy fresh air and discover local history. Situated on the grounds of the Wernersville State Hospital, this center has “tunnels located below us that were designated as walking paths between buildings for people that lived in the State Hospital facility. We have statuesque shade trees and beautiful walking paths,” says Ludwig.

Join in the Fun

“Our goal at Berks Encore is to encourage aging confidence,” says LuAnn Oatman, President of Berks Encore. Each year these six centers are visited 73,000 times, according to Lisa Lorah, the VP of Center Operations. No matter which activities you choose, the biggest benefit starts when you walk through the door. “Socialization and having positive contact with others with similar interests is so important,” says Lorah. This positive interaction helps boost your overall health.