Most of you know that my responsibility at the senior center is providing activities for people 55 and over. You probably already know we have an aging population. But did you know;

•The older population (65+) numbered 39.6 million in 2009, an increase of 4.3 million or 12.5 percent since 1999. The number of Americans aged 45-64 — who will reach 65 over the next two decades — increased by 26 percent during this decade.

•Over one in every eight, or 12.9 percent, of the population is an older American.

•Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 18.6 years (19.9 years for females and 17.2 years for males).

•Older women outnumber older men at 22.7 million older women to 16.8 million older men.

• In 2009, 19.9 percent of persons 65 and over were minorities — 8.3 percent were African Americans. Persons of Hispanic origin (who may be of any race) represented 7 percent of the older population. About 3.4 percent were Asian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1 percent were American Indian or Native Alaskan. In addition, 0.6 percent of persons 65 and over identified themselves as being of two or more races.

•Older men were much more likely to be married than older women — 72 percent of men vs. 42 percent of women. Forty-two percent of older women in 2009 were widows.

•About 30 percent (11.3 million) of non-institutionalized older persons live alone (8.3 million women, 3.0 million men).

•Half of older women (49 percent) age 75 and over live alone.

•About 475,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their grandchildren who lived with them.

Thank you for your support in 2011. We had a great year. I’m looking forward to seeing you down at the center in 2012. Membership is only $24 per year.

For those of you that have never visited the senior center. Come down and see what changes we have made. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful place to have our daily activities.

We are also available for for rent and are able to hold parties up to 300. You are always welcome at the Senior Center. Happy New Year. See you soon.

 

Upcoming Events

Monday: Center closed

Tuesday: SilverSneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.;

Movie, “Four Christmases,” 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.;

Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; Investment Club, 10 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.;

cards (Bridge), 12:30 p.m.

 

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Dec. 12, three tables

1st Arnie Lang, 2nd Bud Higgins, 3rd Mary Johnson, 4th Jaynard Johnson, 5th Quinton Filla

Tuesday “500”

Dec. 13, four tables

1st Dorothy Stern, 2nd Willard Ballantyne, 3rd Wilbur Mittag, 4th Jerry Downing,

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge

Dec. 13, 4.5 tables

1st Fred Langrock, 1st Sheryl Ehkle; 2nd Gail Schmidt, 2nd Ray Schmidt, 2nd Marge Blaser, 2nd Joyce Crowe; 4th Dave Solomonson, 4th Arne Lang; 5th Jim Fisher, 5th Bud Higgins.

Friday Bridge

Dec. 16, four tables

1st Bill Myers, 2nd Jaynard Johnson, 3rd Jim Fisher, 4th Dave Solomonson, 5th Loretta Nelson, 6th Shirley Knowlton.

Pinochle

Jaynard Johnson, Dave Solomonson.

Friday Cribbage

Dec. 16

No Results

Weekly “500”

Dec. 16, four tables

1st Willard Ballantyne, 2nd Betty Fisher, 3rd Sally Michels, 4th Beulah Luthe

Weekly Cribbage

Dec. 14, 3.5 tables

1st Loretta Prantner, 2nd Mercedes Nordstrom, 3rd Lorraine Low, 4th Barb Dickman.

 

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Beef tips

Wednesday: Pork steak

Thursday: BBQ Beef on bun

Friday: Spaghetti with meat sauce