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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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You don't have to be called a senior

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By DEANN BARRY

Lakes Area Senior Activity Center director

Joan has been a member of the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center since 1997. She enjoys volunteering in the gift shop so she can see all the hand crafted items that are for sale there. Joan also is a painter and comes to the center on Tuesday mornings for open craft time to paint, socialize and have lunch at the dining site with the others who attend.

DeAnn Barry

Joan has friends who she has encouraged to become members of the senior center. They are apprehensive because they don't consider themselves as seniors. Joan has come up with a couple of ways to work around their thought process. She has invited them to join her at the Branson on the Road concert that will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at Tornstom Auditorium in Brainerd. The concert is sponsored by the senior center. Tickets are $21 for individuals who are not members of the center and $18 for members. Tickets are available at the senior center and Bremer Bank. Joan's friends paid the non-member price, but are very excited about attending. They have always wanted to go to Branson, but now because of the senior center, Branson is coming to Brainerd!

Joan also will be inviting them to the Membership Holiday Party set at 2 p.m. Dec. 11. The Holiday Party is a great time to bring in non-members to check out who and what we are. There will be holiday music, goodies of the season and fellowship with other seniors. We will be offering tours of the center to those who are interested. Please call to sign up for our Membership Holiday Party at 829-9345. Deadline to sign up is Dec. 4.

Membership is only $15 per year and you will receive our 24-page newsletter mailed to your home to keep you posted on what is happening at the center. You can use our newsletter to plan out your activities here and it also has the dining site noon meals listed, so you can plan for lunch.

If you are like Joan's friends, and choose not to come to the center because you don't want to be considered a senior, just call us the Lakes Area Activity Center.

I encourage you to come check us out. You'll soon learn that there are many activities, events and programs that you would be interested in participating in. Rather than sitting home, if you are age 55 and up, why not come in, make some new friends and stay active doing things that you enjoy. Stop in and you'll see what we have to offer the mature citizens of our community.

DEANN BARRY is the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center director.

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