By David Stinchcomb
Intern EA News
On June 6, 2022 the Millbrook Senior Center opened a new facility on Grandview Road just across from the Millbrook Police Department. In just 22 days since the opening, it is clear that it has been a great investment for the City of Millbrook and its senior citizens.
Membership for the senior center has grown at a rapid pace since the new facility opened. “Right now, we are up by about 96 new members, and that’s been in the last two weeks,” said Olivia Venable, who oversees all activities and events for the center. “So, when we count the members who were already members and the new members, we are probably at a number of about 200,” she continued.
With the number of members having doubled since the opening, a variety of activities are available to those who participate. Bingo is played on Mondays and Fridays, crafts are done on Wednesdays, exercise is done two days a week, and there is a massive variety of board games that are played all throughout the week. Some crafts that the seniors get to do is painting, crocheting, and sewing. For exercise, one of the activities that is ongoing is ballroom and line dancing on Tuesdays and Fridays.
One thing that was made clear is that all of these activities are completely optional and heavily influenced by the participants. “The activities a lot depend on the kind of mood that the people are in because we don’t demand they do anything, but we offer so many things that there is something for everyone,” said Venable. There is also a Bible Study class being led by one of the seniors, and thanks to the new facility, some of them are able to go into separate rooms and play board games in privacy.
On Tuesday, the senior center conducted a special fishing trip for the seniors, and there was an excellent turnout for the event. It was something that many of the seniors were wanting to do, and James Merritt was able to provide a good fishing spot on his property.
While events like the fishing trip have not been common for the senior center in the past, it is something Venable wants to expand. She said, “We do plan to make our outings a regular thing,” and they are working with the City of Millbrook and the Grandview YMCA to plan more day trips.
Venable closed out the interview by saying, “Millbrook Senior Center in my heart and in my mind will be a great legacy for our Millbrook Community. It will be well used and well appreciated… it will be an opportunity for seniors to have a little bit of home away from home.”
To become a member of the Millbrook Senior Center, you must be at an age of 60 years or older. There are no costs or fees to become a member as well. Once you are a member of one of the senior centers in the river region, you are a member of every center in the region as well. See more photos below of Tuesday’s fishing trip!
