So … you are not interested in hiking, or gardening … but you still want to get out of your home, do something different, maybe even meet some new folks. That is one of the problems with growing older … we have outlived our old friends, even our spouse! We are alone and do not want to just sit around until we die!
With this in mind, maybe you could try visiting one of Portage County’s senior centers.
The Portage County Senior Center is now part of Family and Community Services, but it is still located at 705 Oakwood St. in Ravenna. This center is open to all Portage County residents, 60 years or older. The center offers daily lunches (minimum cost), exercise and tai chi classes, bingo twice a week, as well as cards and dominoes. And most importantly, new friends. Call 330-297-3456.
Aurora has its own senior center, which is part of the parks and recreation department. It is located at 129 W. Pioneer, in the Walker Building. The Aurora Senior Center offers the usual exercise classes, educational programs, cards, and bingo, but they also offer periodic bus trips. It is open to all Aurora residents 60 years and older, and it is open five days a week. Call 330-562-4333.
Streetsboro also has its own senior center, which is also part of the parks and recreation department. Its new building is located at 1951 Anna Lane, which is behind their fire station and next to their city park. The program also includes cards, educational programs, a crochet club, as well as pickleball and line dance classes. This center also has access to a small van so that periodic trips are available. Call 330-626-2398.
Keep in mind that all three of these locations are air conditioned and are open Monday through Friday from around 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. And there is no charge to go sit and cool off.
Another group inviting you to attend is in the southern part of the county. A group of Palmyra senior citizens (men and women) meet every Wednesday morning to play cards (including bridge). Though they primarily play bridge (they also offer bridge lessons), they also welcome other card games and players. For more information about this group, call Helen Reed at 330-358-2001 for more information about their location and time of get-togethers.
While I was researching this info about the senior centers, I learned that the City of Aurora now offers a transportation service for their own residents.
The phone number for Aurora Transportation Service is 330-562-2475. This service is available from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The service is free if you need to go someplace within the Aurora city limits, such as the senior center. If you need to go someplace farther out of town, but less than 10 miles, the charge is $5 each way. And if you need to go someplace more than 10 miles away, the charge is $10 each way.
There are no specific restrictions on your destination, but it does limit you to four one-way trips a week.
I received a phone call this past month from a lady looking for a location to drop off unused medications. Periodically, our county has a mass drop-off program for old medications. In between these mass programs, I learned that you can drop off your medications in the lobby of University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, 6847 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna.
Also check with your local fire department. Many of them have drop-off boxes available throughout the year.
Contact Sally Kelly with your senior news at 330-687-9501 or [email protected].
