On the fourth Thursday of every month at 10 a.m., 50 neighborhood seniors gather at Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 E. Lovers, to eat, listen to a speaker and socialize.
“We invite anybody and everybody to attend,” says Lucy May Roland, president of the Ridgewood Park Chapter of the Association of American Retired Persons (AARP).
“After lunch, we have games – we play bridge, we play dominoes.”
Chartered in 1985, the Ridgewood Park AARP is one of approximately 40 AARP chapters in Greater Dallas. The group started with 30 members and at one time grew to 75, before leveling-off at its current membership. Most of the 50 members are women, but Roland says there are a few men.
Members start filing into the church just prior to meeting time to grab a good seat and chew the fat with friends before taking in the program.
“We always have either a guest speaker or a musical program,” Roland says.
Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow and humorist Rosemary Rumbley are among the speakers who have appeared at recent meetings.
Lunch is $1.50, and yearly dues will set you back $5, Roland says. The Wilkinson Center serves as the group’s main philanthropy, as members donate food and clothing at each meeting. The group also donates shoes and socks to needy children at the beginning of each school year.
“It’s a fun group,” says Roland. “If you just don’t want to sit at home, our club is a good way to make new friends and keep up with activities for senior citizens.”
NEWS & NOTES
C.C. Young: C.C. Young, 4829 W. Lawther, will offer several programs in August. The support group for family members and caregivers of stroke survivors will meet Aug. 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the B Buiding, and the support group for family members and caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease will meet Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome, and there is no fee. Part one of a three-part safety series will take place Aug. 27 at 2:30 p.m. Dallas Police officers will present a personal safety seminar. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided. For information, call C.C. Young at 214-827-8080.
Golden Acres: Golden Acres-Dallas Home for the Jewish Aged, 2525 Centerville, offers a support group for families and friends of persons with dementia Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. in the conference room. The group meets the second Wednesday of each month and offers education, information and support. The group is open to anyone who would like to know more about Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. For information, call 214-327-4503.
Ridgewood Park AARP: The Ridgewood Park Chapter of the AARP will meet Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 E. Lovers. The program will feature Brian Burton, director of the Wilkinson Center. Burton will talk about “Loving Your Neighbor in the 21st Century.” Bring your own brown bag lunch. Games will be played following the presentation. For information, call Dorthea Sooby at 214-827-6678.
