ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Seniors from the George P. Thames Senior Center in Robertsdale once again participated in the Alabama Masters Games bringing home several medals from the tournament Oct. 10-14 in Trussville.

“We didn’t win as many medals as we have in previous years, but there weren’t as many participants as we’ve had in the past either,” said center director Sarah Duncan. “The ones who did go had a great time and we’re looking forward to next year.”

Duncan said the weekend included a special tribute to her husband, Royce Duncan, who died this past year. She said she also wanted to thank the city of Robertsdale and all of the cheerleaders who participated in the senior games.

“The games provide our seniors with an opportunity to socialize,” she said, “to meet new friends and get reacquainted with friends they’ve met in years past. Our goal is to encourage others from throughout the county to participate in the games.”

You do not have to be a part of a senior group to attend the games, Duncan said. The only requirement for participation is to be at least age 50.

“We have participants who are 90 and above compete and win medals,” she said. “It’s a great experience for anyone who wants to participate and stay active.”

According to the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission Website, the Masters Games of Alabama is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for active adults age 50 and over through social, mental and physical activities.

They were developed in Oxford in 1989 to provide adults age 50 and above an opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle by participating in a variety of events. Each year, between 600 and 800 participants and volunteers from across the state participate in the games.

This is the 11th straight year participants from the Thames Senior Center participated in the games, which sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging, also locally by the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission. This year, 13 seniors made the trip, qualifying in local competitions throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties in May through July, bringing home 23 medals from the games.

The Thames Center represents District 7, which includes Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia, Conecuh, Washington, Choctaw, Clarke, Wilcox and Monroe counties. Participants also attend locally from Orange Beach, Saraland, Chickasaw and Mobile.

The Thames Center serves Robertsdale, Loxley and Silverhill in Central Baldwin, Duncan said. They also have participants from Fairhope, Gulf Shores, Elberta and Malbis.

Participants in this year’s games included, in alphabetical order:

• Kathleen Bender, bronze medal, double dominoes.

• Olivia Campbell, fitness medal.

• Sarah Duncan, bronze medals, horseshoes and billiards, fitness medal recipient.

• Mary Fuller, fitness medal recipient.

• Becky Hayes, fitness medal recipient.

• Dottie McDougall, fitness medal.

• Matthew Nguyen, silver medal, checkers; bronze medal, double dominoes, fitness medal recipient.

• Vergie Peterson, bronze medal, single dominoes, fitness medal recipient.

• Judy Rabren, silver medals, horseshoes and 5K run; bronze medals, softball and basketball; fitness medal recipient.

• Dorothy Riesel, silver medal, billiards; fitness medal recipient.

• Ken Riesel, fitness medal recipient.

• Ellen Roberts, bronze medal, bowling.

• Martha Young, bronze medal, double dominoes; fitness medal recipient.

For more information about the games, go to mastersgamesalabama.org. For more information about activities at the Center, contact Duncan at 251-947-8973.