Senior Games to kick off March 17
By Steve Herring
Published in News on March 6, 2011 1:50 AM
A Senior Health Fair will be held March 17 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Herman Park Center. Sponsored by Wayne County Services on aging, the event will feature a raffle that will help kick off the county's Senior Games scheduled for May 2-6.
"It is free with a lot of great services and screening," Eryn McAuliffe, director Services on Aging, told county commissioners at their Tuesday morning meeting. "We will have a pharmacist there so seniors can speak to them about their medication questions. There are going to be free skin cancer screenings in a private room. We are having free flu shots. We are having a hearing screening, spinal check and free message.
"There is also going to be a representative from the Goldsboro Police Department there. Sometimes if you have surgery you don't use up all of your pain pills, or maybe the doctor changed your prescription halfway through and you might have leftover pills at home and you don't know what to do with them. Goldsboro police will be at the health fair and will take any unused or expired medicine from you so it can be disposed of safely."
Approximately 30 vendors are expected who will provide information about senior health issues, she said. A free light lunch will be provided and weather permitting, shuffleboard and horseshoes will be played outside.
A raffle will raise money for the Senior Games.
"This is event is sort of a kickoff for the Senior Games which is a great program," she said. "You will be able to register at the health fair."
Christie McDonald, Wayne County Senior Games ambassador and co-coordinator, told the board that 13 percent of the county's population is 65 or older.
"The Senior Games are for people who will be 55 or older this year," said Ms. McDonald, who also is participant in the games. "There are 160 different events and it costs $5 to participate."
April 6 is the registration deadline.
"It is a great place and there are no limits on what you can do," she said. "If you are wheelchair bound there are plenty of activities like fly casting, football tosses. Painting is wonderful, golf and bowling. Last year we had 149 participants and this year we are hoping for at least 175. We have sponsors and that is how we are trying to keep our costs down to $5."
Fundraisers are held, too, including upcoming ones planned at IHOP on March 23 and 30.
Wayne Christian School and Brogden School volunteers will help at the field events, she said.
A third event, the Silver Arts Follies, will be held April 19 at 6 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis. Last year's event featured 20 acts, she said.
Volunteers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base have agreed to help at the Silver Follies, she said.