Getting older is a fact of life.

While we fight the physical effects of aging with exercise and diet, we should also be concerned with our brain fitness. Seniors who see signs of memory loss may also fear losing their cognitive abilities as they age.

However, new research shows that new brain cells continue to be produced even as we age. Many studies of older people have determined that decline in brain power is not inevitable, but can be slowed by actively exercising our brains and challenging our new brain cells with a variety of stimulating activities.

Sticking to familiar and routine activities will not stimulate these new cells. Just as our bodies need physical exercises and training to keep fit, so our brains need to be exercised to keep fit.

The National Institute on Aging says that strategy games, board games, word games, Sudoku, crossword puzzles and card games are all brain fitness exercises. Some of these exercises are enjoyed alone while others have the added benefit and stimulation of social interaction.

Playing cards is one activity that many people have enjoyed all their lives. Continuing to play card games will help seniors maintain their brainpower as they age.

Bridge, 500, Cribbage and Pinochle are played every day at 12:30 p.m. every week at the senior center. Cost to play is $1. If you can count, you can play.

No matter if you are new to the game or you know it well you are invited to play at the senior center. You are all welcome.

We look forward to seeing you at our many programs at the senior center. Don’t forget our coffee shop where every day you can have homemade soup for $1 and sandwich for 50 cents.

Tuesday, Aug. 7, we are having scalloped potatoes a ham in the coffee shop for only $2. You are always welcome at the center. See you here.

Upcoming events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; SAIL Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Walking Club,  9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle and Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evies Friends, 1 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Support Group, 10:30 a.m.; Scalloped potatoes and ham, 11:30 a.m.; Cards (500, Duplicate Bridge,  Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai Chi,  9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.; Potato bar, 11:30 a.m.; Weight Watchers, 12:15 p.m.; Cards (Duplicate Bridge, Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open Chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Tops, 8 a.m.; Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo and Open Chess, 1 p.m.; Weight Watchers, 5 p.m.

Friday: SAIL Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.;  Cards (Bridge Tournament, 500), 12:30 p.m.; Ping Pong, 3 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

July 23, two tables

1st Mary Johnson, 2nd Dave Solomonson, 3rd Anne Dvorak, 4th Jaynard Johnson, 5th Millie Seiver

Tuesday Bridge

July 24, seven tables

1st Dave Ring, 1st Loren Cleland; 2nd Bud Higgins, 2nd Vandy Newman; 3rd Joyce Crowe, 3rd Millie Seiver; 4th Rick Stroup, 4th John Leisen; 5th Gail Nelson, 5th Sue Mann; 6th Ron Peters, 6th Lorraine Lippert

Tuesday 500

July 26, three tables

1st Dennis Bray, 2nd Sally Michels, 3rd Russ Vaale, 4th Mary Freitag

Friday 500

July 27, three tables

1st Sally Michels, 2nd Russ Vaale, 3rd Arlys Spurlin, 4th Jaynard Johnson

Wednesday Duplicate Bridge

July 25, six tables

1st Loren Cleland, 1st Bud Higgins; 2nd Dave Ring, 2nd Orrion Roisen; 3rd Larry Crowe, 3rd Jim Fisher; 4th Gail Schmidt, 4th Ray Schmidt; 5th Vandy Newman, 5th Ron Peters; 6th Edna Knobe, 6th Cleo Osmundson

Friday Bridge

No Results

Pinochle

No Results