Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Carrie Miller

Davie Senior Services

Davie Senior Services is gearing up for the 31st season of Davie County Senior Games and SilverArts.

This is a time when individuals 50 or older can compete in activities such as competitive tournament sports like basketball, bocce, cornhole, and horseshoes or compete in the arts competition with acrylic painting, watercolor, knitting, crocheting, basket weaving, poetry, essays, and more.

In addition, there is a talent portion where participants can sing, dance, or even do a comedic routine individually or with a group.

When talking to folks that have never participated in Senior Games, you often hear the guffaw that they are not old enough, or that they do not want to compete with someone older than they are.

The good newse is that Senior Games is not for the weary.

The competition is fierce, and you only play with the individuals in your own age bracket. Age brackets are split as such: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, etc.

It’s even more fun to enjoy these events with your parents or children – just ask Sandy Stroud Yamane and her father, Bud Stroud, or Bess Kimberly and her father, Dr. George Kimberly. They have enjoyed events such as opening ceremonies, basketball shoot, softball throw, and football throw together as well as the ceremonial fun walk and powerwalking events.

When asking someone about playing Senior Games, you might even hear the age-old excuse that they just do not have the time. Everyone has the time. A

sk long-time senior games player, Alice Barnette, who took time off from her job in the beginning of her Senior Games career to keep active and enjoy spending time in fellowship with others. Barnette even used Senior Games as respite for caring with her mother that suffered from dementia.

Senior Games allows you to relax, have fun, and stay healthy while continuing to live life. The season lasts from March-May, so surely there is one day you can join in the fun.

When asking someone about participating in Senior Games, you may even hear the excuse that they do not know how to play the sport or are not crafty enough. The good news for you is that all year long Senior Services offers classes based on Senior Games and SilverArts programming. These classes, for sports and arts, teach rules and techniques.

If you can’t make the class or clinics, guess what? Any member of the Senior Games family is happy to help. For example, if you have never played bocce before, peers will teach you how in the moment of the event, so do not be afraid to come on out and try something new.

Senior Games and SilverArts is the perfect time to be a part of something better.

When you join Senior Games, you are joining the likes of the late Nancy Tutterow, a firm believer in Senior Games, proving that no matter your age, you absolutely can do it. She played her final season in 2023 at 99 years old and competed in shuffleboard, bowling, and cornhole, to only name a few.

This year, let’s aim for better and be like the amazing folks of Senior Games past. Let’s fight to keep the flame of good health burning here in Davie County and keep growing our games in Davie County’s 31st season.

The upcoming Senior Games season will span from March 19 to May 23 with events happening each week.

The Senior Games kickoff will be a part of the 2024 Senior Expo and Shredding Event on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 1-3 p.m. at the Brock Recreation Center Gym. You will be able to pick up your Senior Games registration forms that day at the Davie County Senior Services table.

The following day, Jan. 19, Senior Games registration forms will be available for pickup during operating hours at the front desk of both campuses of Senior Services, the Davie County Public Library, RISE Indoor Sports Complex, and Davie County Recreation and Parks, and registration forms will be added to the Davie County Senior Services website. Registration will close on Feb. 23 at 4:30 p.m. Registration forms will be accepted after the deadline, but t-shirts will not be guaranteed.

To learn more about Senior Games, contact local coordinator, Carrie Miller, at 336-753-6230 or cmiller@daviecountync.gov.