Adult Activity Center back in full swing in Robertsdale

Annual Veterans Day, Christmas Bazaar events returning in November at PZK

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ROBERTSDALE — Activities at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center/Robertsdale Senior Center are back in full swing as of Oct. 1. In addition to daily, weekly and monthly activities planned for October at the Center, officials are planning for a pair of big activities in November at the PZK Hall.

“We just want people to know that we are open for business,” said Mary Williams, who handles day-to-day activities for the Center along with Center Director Amy Ochello.

After hosting activities for the first time in over a year after Gov. Kay Ivey lifted statewide mandates June 1, the Center was forced to cancel some of its larger activities in July, August and September after being asked to limit activities to under 20 guests.

“We never really closed the Center since June,” Williams said. “While we could still have some of our day-to-day smaller group activities with enough room to social distance, some of our larger activities such as the Birthday Bash and Lunch and Learn had to be canceled.”

Masks are optional for all events and can be provided by the Center, Williams said.

In addition to regular activities, the Center is bringing back two of its larger annual activities in November at the PZK Hall that were canceled last year because of COVID-19 concerns.

Veterans Day

The annual Veterans Day program will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at the PZK Hall on Alabama 104.

There will be a display of photos, certificates, awards, medals and other memorabilia. Veterans and their families are welcome to provide materials for the display and are asked to contact the Center for more information.

All Veterans past and present will be honored during a special ceremony at the PZK Hall. If you wish to participate, you are asked to pre-register and provide your name, rank, branch of service, years and location served in order for the information to be shared during the ceremony.

“We want to make sure to honor and recognize all of our veterans for their service,” Williams said, “and want to encourage anyone who wishes to participate to let us know and provide all of their information ahead of time so we can prepare for this important event.”

To pre-register or for more information call the Center at 251-947-8973.

Christmas Bazaar

The 2021 17th Annual Christmas Bazaar will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at the PZK Hall, featuring local artists and craftsmen.

A total of 14 booths will be set up and all booths are filled, Williams said, with a variety of local arts and crafts.

New this year will be a “Kids Corner.” Santa will be available to take photos with the children and there will be a workshop set up where participants can make hand-made gifts for their loved ones, or they can purchase a small gift.

“We know how much kids love to make gifts for their parents and other loved ones and this will be an opportunity for them to do so,” Williams said. “We will also have gifts available with nothing over $5 so it will be a little something everyone can afford. It’s also an opportunity for parents to do a little shopping while leaving their kids with supervised activities.”

In October, the Southern Star Band will perform at the PZK Hall beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7.

October bustling with activities

Beginning Oct. 1, the Center, located at 22651 E. Chicago St., will be bustling with activities including:

  • Lunch-N-Learn, beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 8, with a video presentation on water forests followed by lunch at noon.
  • A prayer luncheon, hosted by the Gulf Coast Prayer and Healing Center, will be held beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, followed by lunch at noon.
  • The monthly Birthday Bash on Wednesday, Oct. 13 beginning at noon, which will include a meal, special gifts for those who have a birthday in October and birthday cake.
  • A Fire Prevention Seminar beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, followed by lunch at noon.
  • Pot luck lunch on Friday, Oct. 29 beginning at noon. Participants are asked to come dressed in costume to celebrate Halloween and bring your favorite covered dish.

An outing to go thrift store shopping and lunch has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26. Bus departs at 9 a.m. with a location for lunch to be determined.

Several clubs will also resume monthly meetings at the Center in October, including Stitch-N-Friends, beginning at 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month (Oct. 12); Sit-N-Sew, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month (Oct. 29); and T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Other activities at the Center include exercise from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. every Monday and Thursday, Bingo beginning at noon on Tuesdays (except when special activities are planned).

Games are also scheduled daily at the center beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 9:30 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.

While dominoes and cards are still popular at the center, there are also a variety of board games available, Williams said, including Scrabble, Aggravation, Chess and Rummikub.

“Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a variety of activities at the Center,” Williams said. “It’s all about keeping active, keeping your mind sharp and promoting social interaction that’s so important to all of us, but especially for seniors.”

For more information you can pick up a monthly calendar at the center, call Williams, Ochello or staff volunteers at 251-947-8973, or email robertsdaleseniorcenter@gmail.org. You can also check out the Robertsdale Senior Center page on Facebook.