The Lake Today

Darlene Duval beamed with joy as she saw the television screen light up with the words “Strike.”

Her fellow players congratulated and she replied, “I can’t believe it.” They gave a little chuckle, completed their 10-frame set and Duval had even more to celebrate. In her first time playing Wii Bowling ever, she had placed second with a high score of 203.

Duval joined members of the new Wii Bowling league at the Senior Activity at the Lake, formerly known as the Golden Age Center in Osage Beach, Thursday afternoon. Many of her competitors are well experienced on systems at their own home and others are beginners like her.

Yet, for all of them, they, like Duval, have found the organization of this fun, energetic video game bowling league a positive, increasingly popular activity in its very young inception.

“I have always enjoyed getting together with the women here at the center,” said Duval, who noted she had participated in the former Jazz-Ma-Tazz dance group and continues to indulge in a variety of the center’s current events and groups including its weekly line dancing class. “We have a good time, and have always enjoyed the activities where you get exercise. As senior citizens, we tend to sit a lot. Many of us become sedentary, especially in the wintertime. This activity is fun, social and gives you great exercise.”

The Wii Bowling league started at the Senior Activity Center at the Lake with its first afternoon of games on Wednesday, with weekly play over the next several months. Three teams — Bob’s Babes, Hottsie Tottsies and BTA (Better Than Average) — kicked off the leagues, and open bowling commenced on Thursday afternoon at the center. However, the idea culminated with practice play on the same days throughout the month of January.

“There was an interest in Wii bowling, and we decided to give it a try,” said Patsy Hill, president of the Senior Activity Center at the Lake board. “You get a great workout and you don’t even realize it.”

Hill said have and continue to offer a variety of activities that are not only active such as its line dancing and Wii bowling, but educational, social and enjoyable gatherings for seniors such as its AARP tax preparation sessions, which are free, computer courses, cards and games evenings and new this year, men’s breakfast socials. She added they also have a variety of fundraisers throughout the year that helps in keeping the center’s services going, help in normal functions of the building and also to help purchase proper equipment to accommodate existing and new activities for its visitors.

“We hold different fundraisers throughout the year, which primarily pay for our various services, events and activities,” she explained. “We don’t rely on state or local funding, and our donations, as well as our volunteer’s contributions, keep is going and growing.”

With new expansions, renovations and events on the horizons, Hill and her fellow board members and volunteers are also hoping the initial success of Wii bowling opens the one-day league into additional teams and another league forming at the center.

“The Thursday open bowling allows for league players to make-up a day they missed or practice. But it also allows new visitors or interested bowlers to come try it out,” she said. “If we get enough people who want to play in the Wii bowling league, we will reserve another day for another league to play.”

Currently, the three teams in the current Wii bowling league play on three different systems and televisions in the center’s main recreation hall, with those same three machines open on Thursday’s open bowling session.

Last Thursday, groups played and/or practiced on two televisions, and another center board vice president, Betts Loman, brought in the Wii fit program for visitors to try, as well. Exploring an active obstacle course, hula-hooping and jogging, Hill, Loman and others enjoyed another, fun form of exercise in between hitting the “lanes.”

As for the avid and new Wii bowlers, they enjoyed testing and building their skills on the big screen television Thursday afternoon. Gene Goade, a member of the Hottsie Tottsies, was one of the top leaders and also “serves” as the Wii bowling instructor for new participants. In the first match, he led with a score of 208, helping Duval reach her second place ranking of 203. Yet, in the second game and despite numerous strikes, he just fell behind the center’s secretary Julie Meriage with a 179.

For Goade, he has past practice in helping a family member watch his residence and becoming quite skilled on his Wii bowling system, along with his wife, Betty. Aside from scoring five strikes in a row a past game, Goade also enjoys giving a little healthy banter and competitive spirit with his fellow Wii bowling competitors — just like one may see out on the real lanes. As he sauntered into the center Thursday afternoon to practice, he had a little surprise for Bob Hill of Bob’s Babes — a special T-shirt.

“I thought you might like this, Bob,” he said with a big smile. The T-shirt was edited to say, “Three girls and an old guy.”

Bob, eager to join in the banter himself, said he might just have to put it on right then and there. Yet, for Bob, he also used Thursday’s open bowling session a way to “recruit” additional babes to his team, such as Darlene Duval.

The jest, humor and taunting between these friends just added to the increased enjoyment of the new center’s activity. For reasons as these, Hill and her fellow board members and center volunteers, think this will be another big hit for seniors in the Lake Area.

“I just really enjoy the people here,” said Meriage. “No matter what we are doing here, we have a great time.”

For more information about Wii bowling or any other events at the Senior Activity Center at the Lake, call 573-348-9000 or visit www.2gac.org.

Senior Activity Center at the Lake Upcoming events

There are a variety of weekly events that take place at the center, which is located at 748 Route D in Osage Beach. Some of those events include line dancing, exercises, piano lessons and the possible start of a movie day. Be sure to view the “Your Active Life” Calendar to view those events.

However, there are many special events and fundraisers coming up over the next year. Make sure to take a look at these upcoming events or visit www.2gac.org for more information.

• Men’s Breakfast (monthly) – The next one is Feb. 15 at the center. The event, held from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. allows men to gather, eat breakfast and enjoy some activities once a month.

• Sweetheart Dance – set for 7-10 p.m. Feb. 18, the dance will include music provided by Jackie Newton, exhibitions and a variety of refreshments and other small activities. Cost is $10 per person.

• Khaki Sack – this event is scheduled for Feb. 29 and will invite visitors to have a lunch once a month and listen to a variety of speakers relating to senior issues, local organizations and activities. Specific dates for the rest of the year to be announced soon.

• Little Black Dress fundraiser – This event, held June 27, includes an purse auction, lunch and a chance for fun with your female friends. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Derby Day – this will take place in June as well, with a from social event from 3-6 p.m., $12 per person and include a BYOB opportunity.

• Community Days – This event invites the general public, including families, to bring the kids and enjoy a variety of fun activities at the center from 11-2 p.m., July 28.

• Rummage Sale – One of the center’s largest fundraisers, this event will be held in September and offers a variety of gently used items for purchase to the community.

In addition, the center offers a complete Thanksgiving luncheon and Christmas luncheon prior the holidays annually, as well. These are just a few of the events listed, and more can be found at www.2gac.org.