Chamber of Commerce

He laughed at the stereotype of seniors playing shuffleboard or sitting in their rocking chairs. "I love getting out of bed and going to work," Gaskell said. On the first day of each month, he said that the two centers have lines out the door with seniors ready to sign up for each month's activities and trips. "We circle the first day of the month on the centers' calendars in red," explained Gaskell. But the seniors would not likely forget to come and enroll in their choices of activities. Brymer, Senior Programs Supervisor, emphasized that the Fayetteville- Cumberland Parks and Recreation Senior Center is the only one of its kind in North Carolina to receive the honor of being nationally accredited by the National Institute of Senior Centers. "We received that distinction in 2009 and it is good for five years," noted Brymer. Brymer wants residents to know that resources abound for those over 55 in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Currently, 12,000 seniors take part in senior center activities annually. Brymer wants more seniors to know about the many opportunities at both the Senior Center and Tokay Senior Fitness Center. Activities include day and extended trips, chair aerobics, line dancing, arts and crafts, basic computer classes, guest speakers, Bunko and a myriad of other programs to engage seniors' minds and bodies. On a May trip to Bald Head Island and Lighthouse, 43 seniors laughed, walked, rode a ferry and many climbed the 108 steps and a small ladder to get the top of "Old Baldy". The ladder brings visitors through a small hole, which prompted several jokes. "This must have been built before Americans got fat," said one senior. Another senior warned friends not to look at her backside as she navigated her way through the hole to the top. Day trips in the past years have included fishing at Oak Island, venturing to the Streets at Southpoint in Durham and the Four Seasons Mall in Greensboro, and whitewater rafting in Charlotte. Seniors have also taken longer trips to San Antonio, Boston and Florida. A cruise and a trip to New York City are planned for 2013. Gaskell, Brymer and Westway take turns as trip escorts and rely on senior volunteers to assist them. One especially giving senior is Catherine Jones, a retired Cum- berland County social worker. "I love to travel and I love to volunteer," explained Jones, a Fayetteville native. "By volunteering on most trips, I kill two birds with one stone," she said warmly. Claudette Hall, who works weekends at Whispering Pines Nursing Home, said that the weekday trips fit in great with her work schedule. When asked which trip she liked the best, she said she could not name just one. "They are all delightful," Hall said. When asked what seniors think of the Senior and Tokay Centers, Dianna O'Meara, together with husband, Mike, shouted, "We have the best senior center in the state!" The statement was followed by a round of applause. For more information to get active and engaged, call the Tokay Fitness Center at 910.433.1414, or the Senior Center at 910.433.1574. Tokay Fit- ness Center is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the website www.agingactivelyfay.com. 32 | ACCENTS • 2012/2013

• Cover