As published by Angie Mayes, Murfreesboro Post
Fifty Forward, the Middle Tennessee program that “supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older,” took over the La Vergne Senior Center on May 1, and since then, the Center’s members have received more options of activities to do and places to go.
There is a new staff, led by Center Director Donna Driver. Previously, the Center, located at 337 Stones River Rd., was run by the La Vergne Parks and Rec Department.
“Fifty Forward has activities for those 50 and over for life-long learning and health,” Driver said. “There are a number of centers (in Middle Tennessee), but this is the first one in Rutherford County. There was an opportunity for Fifty Forward to come in and enliven the space and stay open more and provide more activities.”
When a senior is a member, they can go to many of the senior centers in the Nashville area, Driver said.
“Most of the activities we offer are free, so if you are a member, you can take an exercise class or paint ceramics or whatever you want to do here,” she said. “There are trips that cost a little something. We are doing a lot of ‘meet and eats,’ so we’ll meet at a local restaurant at a particular time. Usually on Fridays when we’re closed.”
Members have Meals on Wheels available daily, take “movie trips” to Murfreesboro and are planning bigger trips, like one in December where the members plan to ride the General Jackson showboat in Nashville.
Driver has been part of the Donelson Fifty Forward center for some time because the Larry Keeton Theatre is in the center. Driver, who was a theater major in college, has been part of the Keeton theater for 17 years and its managing administrator for the past year.
“I’ve worked closely with Lisa Maddox, who is the director of the Donelson center and is on the board of the theater as well,” Driver said. “She let me know that this position was opening.”
Driver said that members and staff at the La Vergne Center have been “so welcoming. They’re so lovely. They’ve been excited about having new things to do. There are about 60 people who have signed up, but on our long-term list there’s definitely over 100.”
Sherry Pack said she has been coming to the La Vergne Center for 15 or 16 years. She worked at the center for six months and volunteered for another amount of time.
“It’s home away from home,” she said. “When I stay at home, I get stuck. Getting out keeps you from getting stuck.”
BINGO is the most popular game at the Senior Center. Member Bianca Shelton said that since Fifty Forward has taken over, she “thinks things have changed a bit. I think it’s going to grow. I wish they would expand the building. We have BINGO on Thursday and it’s gotten to the point where we fill all of this up and have to add another table.”
The members also play Wii bowling, and one female member known as Queen Bee, has consistently bowled 300 games.
Member Doug Holliman said he has so many new friends that he’s made at the Center. He said he’s been coming to the Senior Center for 10 or more years. His favorite activity is “going out to eat. We’ve hit them all. We also celebrate everybody’s birthday.”
