WYSH AM 1380 Anderson County's Classic Hit Country!
(Submitted, AC Mayor’s Office press release) Local citizens who regularly visit the Anderson County Senior Center have a variety of opportunities to express their creativity, safely get some exercise, and interact with friends.
From crochet and knitting classes, Tennessee history classes, line dancing, and yoga, to weekly bingo sessions, guitar classes, health information sessions, and painting classes and “Drumming for Fitness” sessions, there is plenty to do each week at the Senior Center, located at 96 Mariner Point Drive.
The painting classes and “Drumming for Fitness” classes seem particularly popular, according to Debbie Vinsant, activities director.
“When we first started sign-ups for the ‘Drumming for Fitness’ class, the list filled up pretty quick,” Vinsant said recently. “And, we’ve had to move the painting classes to the larger main room because so many people are signing up for the classes that we ran out of space in the craft room.”
The “Drumming for Fitness” classes are usually held each week and involve using drum sticks, balance balls, large buckets and upbeat music to get a full-body workout.
“The painting classes give seniors a chance to express themselves and have fun at the same time. Each painting has a touch of each senior’s personality,” Anderson County Senior Center Director Cherie Phillips said. “And, ‘Drumming for Fitness’ has been a great addition for them. They have a great time with the music and are able to let loose and have fun.
“I love that we are able to offer these programs for our seniors,” Phillips said.
The painting classes and “Drumming for Fitness” classes have been made possible by state grant funds. In the Fall of 2021, Anderson County Government applied for and was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. A portion of those grant funds was used to purchase safety handrails in the hallways at the Senior Center. The rest of the grant funds were used to purchase activities and craft supplies, such as art easels and canvases, paint, paint brushes and aprons, as well as hand weights, yoga mats, games, and materials for a variety of other activities.
These are just a few of the many activities and programs available to Anderson County’s senior citizens.
A monthly calendar of events is posted to the Senior Center’s website at https://andersoncountytn.gov/office-on-aging-senior-center/.
For more information, or to obtain a paper copy of the monthly events calendar, contact the Anderson County Senior Center and Office on Aging at (865) 457-3259.
