Welcome In
by Wendy Niles
Looking for a place to meet new friends, learn life skills, dance, and have fun? If so, then look no further than the Lake Mary Senior Center. Open to ages 55 and up, the center’s bustling activity schedule is sure to get you moving and keep you engaged. Boasting more than 500 members, the senior center offers a variety of programs to fit many needs.
“The overall goal is to create an environment where seniors feel welcome and supported but also have a good time and find new friends,” says Natalie Swain, the City of Lake Mary’s recreation manager.
Indeed, that sense of community can be felt as soon as you walk in and are greeted by Diane Dever, the center’s administrative assistant. Diane, who is fondly known as the “face of the place,” has been welcoming members for more than 15 years. She says the members are what makes the Lake Mary Senior Center so special.
“We have a wonderful group here,” says Diane. “Everyone is just looking to have fun and make connections.”
Working It Out
The two most popular classes at the senior center are Dance Mixx-LO and chair yoga, taught by Yvonne Rosario, who owns a dance fitness studio in Lake Mary. If you’re looking to burn calories and build strength and coordination while exercising to top 40 songs, then the Dance Mixx-LO class is for you. On the other hand, if you want to focus more on the mind/body connection with gentle stretching, then chair yoga is a better option.
In addition to fitness classes, the senior center offers plenty of other engaging activities, such as a book club, art, bingo, cards, Mexican train (dominoes), and tai chi.
To enhance its mix of activities, the center has begun holding quarterly dance parties, such as a sock hop, a 1970s soiree, and a Halloween-themed event. This is thanks in part to the creativity and sponsorship of Lynn Bodell, a local business owner who also teaches a Movin’ and Groovin’ class at the senior center.
Lynn works closely with the center’s staff to bring in new events and arrange occasional field trips for the members. The senior center also partners with other local business owners who help sponsor events.
Filling a Void
For those looking for a way to give back, consider the Crafty Corner group, which meets at the center and has been helping the community for more than 10 years.
Led by Marie Bradman, the group knits sweaters and hats for teddy bears provided by The Salvation Army. The bears are then returned to The Salvation Army to be gifted to needy children and local schools. In addition, the group knits hats for babies born prematurely at local hospitals. Last year alone, the group knitted more than 3,000 items. Volunteer knitters and yarn donations are always appreciated.
While the center focuses on being a place for fun and fitness, it also helps guide seniors in more serious aspects of their lives. For example, the center offers a monthly seminar focused on life skills and safety-related issues, such as fall prevention, fraud/scams, Medicare, home safety, and computer classes. Many people find themselves alone after losing a spouse or in need of direction or purpose after retiring from their job. The Lake Mary Senior Center is there to help.
Recently, says Diane, one member was not able to continue coming to the center due to financial struggles. When others heard the news, they paid her membership dues as a show of support.
“It’s a lifeline for some,” says Diane, “a place to fill a void and not be alone.”
The Lake Mary Senior Center is open Monday through Friday and is always looking for new members. The annual membership is free for City of Lake Mary residents and $20 for non-city residents (those living outside the city’s tax district). In addition, some classes may require a nominal fee of $2 or $3.
For more information, call the senior center at 407- 585-1466 or visit in person at 911 Wallace Court in Lake Mary.