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Senior Rec adds to offerings for PdC area aging population

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Pat Collins (left) and Ron Leys engage in a friendly game of pool in the basement rec room of Hoffman Hall in Prairie du Chien. There, Senior Rec will be offered free Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 to 11 a.m., to area community members, especially seniors, who wish to socialize and simply gather to relax and enjoy others’ company. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Ping pong, pool, foosball, cards, puzzles, games, newspapers and magazines, TV and Internet are just a few of the many possible activities seniors may enjoy while passing the time among friends at Senior Rec.

By Correne Martin and Preston Crowley-Lee

Being a senior citizen in Prairie du Chien just got better.

Hoffman Hall has introduced Senior Rec, a free opportunity for seniors 60 and older to gather at a common site and engage in socialization, relax and enjoy activities with other friends and acquaintances from area communities. They can have a cup of coffee, read the newspaper, maybe play a game of pool, browse the Internet and check emails, watch TV and perhaps even listen to a speaker or join a group class on occasion.

“We felt it was important we had not only an area to do things but also a set time where people were welcomed to engage with one another,” explained Ron Leys, a senior Hoffman Hall user from Prairie du Chien. “I swim here daily and I saw this nice space and thought we should make use of it.”

Senior Rec began today (Wednesday, April 5) and will be open every Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., through May, in the basement rec room of Hoffman Hall. Then, it will start again in the fall—when there are more staff on hand and outdoor activities die down—and be held through the winter.

“The hours can be tweaked depending on interest and the amount of people showing up,” Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich noted. Airing of Brewers and Packers games may also be shown on the TV if participants are interested. “It’s all kind of a trial thing. We’ll see how it goes and work to improve it from there.”

Hoffman Hall staff member Pat Collins will coordinate Senior Rec. In addition to collecting newspapers and magazines to offer and making coffee to serve, he will lend equipment for the pool table, ping pong and foosball tables, and supply other needs like the Wi-Fi password, cards for euchre or sheepshead, dominos, puzzles and additional games. He will also line up speakers or other activities as desired. Some of his ideas include talking about memories and recording them, learning about different art mediums and interacting through healthy programs.

Collins added, people can socialize in a place like this without an obligation. They’re invited to bring their friends.

Leys emphasized that there is no charge to stop by Senior Rec, unless seniors are taking part in specific classes such as Tai Chi, aerobics, swimming, etc., or utilizing the gym for walking. The facility is handicapped accessible. There are restrooms available. Prairie du Chien residents and non-residents are all welcome.

“Throughout life, you’re surrounded by chatter and, then, one day, there’s silence. There are other places we can go, be it taverns, churches, swimming. This is going to add to that mix and we think it’s important,” Leys articulated.

“The city parks and rec department does a lot for the young people in our communities but we’re an aging community and a lot of studies show people are social animals and can literally live longer if they socialize. It’s good for our mental and physical health when we’re given opportunities to thrive.”

For more information, call Hoffman Hall at 326-2985.

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