PARMA, Ohio -- After the completion of a member survey last fall, Donna Smallwood Senior Center Director Erin Lally said she’s been tweaking programming at the popular West Ridgewood Drive venue.
“We had a lot of feedback,” Lally said. “One of the things they asked was that we try not to schedule programs at the same time as our exercise classes so people can participate in both.
“So in January, we listed our calendar and decided at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays we’ll be doing special programs. Now we’re trying to work closely with our community partners who add programs for people.”
After successfully hosting programs in January by the Alzheimer’s Association about healthy living for the brain and body, as well as a UH physical therapist discussing knee and hip pain, the February calendar includes visits by Hospice of the Western Reserve on Friday (Feb. 3) and CuyahogaRecycles on Feb. 13.
“We’re doing a couple of public safety tours,” Lally added. That includes a Feb. 10 date to tour Fire Station No. 2, followed by a visit to the Justice Center on Feb. 17.
Another recently added affair that’s going over like gangbusters is a show-and-tell event, which returns Feb. 6.
“I tell people all of the time how much seniors are like little kids,” Lally said. “This is surely an example. They have some spectacular treasures they bring in. They share them with us, and there are stories that go with it. So show-and-tell is very popular.”
The center continues its collaboration with the adjacent Cuyahoga County Public Library branch for movie events.
“We show a movie quarterly,” Lally said. “On Feb. 27, we’ll go there to watch ‘Old Goats.’ We provide the popcorn and people provide their own drinks.
“There’s also our monthly dance. On Feb. 16, we’ll have what’s called Winter Wonderland at the center featuring a one-man show playing dance music. Tickets are $8, but if they want lunch it’s (an additional) $2. The deadline to order lunch is Feb. 8.”
Something else new added to the center is a veterans group, which meets the last Friday of the month. A new Wall of Honor is expected to be dedicated Feb. 24.
“Every month, they’ll have different speakers relating to veterans issues,” Lally said. “There’s also some socializing among our veteran populations.”
The chair volleyball players have started up a traveling league of sorts against Parma Heights seniors.
On Feb. 9, the Parma team will head to the Parma Heights Senior Center for some friendly competition at the North Church Drive venue. Then, on Feb. 23, the Parma Heights seniors will visit the Donna Smallwood Activities Center.
“Finally, we do have a transportation program here,” Lally said.
“We did the tours last year, but on Valentine’s Day we’re having a ‘Love Your Lunch’ program going to Fuji Grill Buffet on Snow Road. That’s going to be fun,” she said.
In terms of Donna Smallwood Activities Center membership, Lally said 2022 was a banner year, with more than 18,000 people coming through the door.
“Last year is the first full year we’ve been opened since the pandemic shut us down,” Lally said. “Regarding new members, we signed up 269 last year.
“They come to exercise, they come to socialize and keep on going with educational programs we provide -- especially to benefit their health.”
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