The Senior Olympics sponsored by Genda Funeral Home keeps growing and expanding. This year marks the 19th year of the event, it also features the most participants its ever had (73) and they have added five new events to this year’s games.
“My idea was to put together event or events so people could meet other people, have interaction and really it was about social networking,” said Genda Funeral Home Director Mark Genda, who has been the organizer of this event since its inception. “I thought this is a great way to do that and May is also Senior Month. So that was another driving force using the month of May.”
This year’s Senior Olympics officially kicked off Wednesday afternoon with the opening ceremonies. That was followed by the first team event in the Games — Team Trivia.
The remainder of the schedule is as follows:
Thursday, May 2 — Basketball at YMCA, 10 a.m.; Dart Ball at Wesley Manor Rec Center, 2 p.m.
Friday, May 3 — Ping Pong at YMCA, 9 a.m.; Sequence at Wesley Manor Harmony Hall, 1 p.m.
Monday, May 6 — Dominoes at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 9 a.m.; Bean Bag Toss, 6 p.m. at Wesley Manor Rec Room.
Tuesday, May 7 — Bid Euchre at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 10 a.m.; Swimming at YMCA, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8 — Bike Race (1 mile) at Wesley Manor, 9 a.m.; Bridge at Wesley Manor Harmony Hall, 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 9 — Walking Race (1 mile) at Frankfort High School (at YMCA if rain), 9:30 a.m.; Bowling at Wesley Manor, 2 p.m.
Friday, May 10 — Croquet at Wesley Manor Tear Drop, 1 p.m. Rain date for Bike Race (1 mile).
Monday, May 13 — Golf (9 and 18 holes) at Angel Hill, 9 a.m. (Rain date for Croquet).
Tuesday, May 14 — Euchre at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 9 a.m.; Pickle Ball at YMCA, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15 — Puzzles at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 10 a.m.; Skipbo at Wesley Manor Harmony Hall, 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 — Walking Race (3 miles) at Frankfort High School (at YMCA if rain); Tennis at TPA Park, 2 p.m. (if rain at YMCA).
Friday, May 17 — Bike Race (2 miles) at Wesley Manor, 9 a.m.; Texas Hold ‘Em at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 1 p.m.
Monday, May 20 — Corn Toss at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 9 a.m.; Badminton at TPA Park, 1 p.m. (if rain at YMCA).
Tuesday, May 21 — Bike Race (4 miles) at Wesley Manor, 9 a.m.; Bingo at Paul Phillippe Resource Center, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22 — Bocce Ball at Wesley Manor Tear Drop, 1 p.m. (Rain date for Golf).
Thursday, May 23 — Horseshoes at Dorner Park, 1 p.m. (Rain date for 2-Mile Bike Race).
Friday, May 24 — Shuffleboard at TPA Park, 1 p.m. (Rain date for 4-Mile Bike Race).
Tuesday, May 28 — Racquetball at YMCA, 9 a.m.; Rummikub at Wesley Manor Harmony Hall, 6 p.m. (Rain date for Bocce Ball).
Wednesday, May 29 — 8-Ball Pool at Wesley Manor Billiards Room, 1:30 p.m. (Rain date for Horseshoes).
Thursday, May 30 — Walking Relay at Wesley Manor (at YMCA if rain), 10 a.m. (Rain date for Shuffleboard).
Friday, May 31 — Closing Ceremony at Wesley Manor Harmony Hall, 5 p.m.
Genda added that three individuals have participated in all 19 years. Also, there are eight or nine first timers at this year’s event. Teams are also divided into four countries — USA, England, Germany and Sweden. Medals are awarded at the closing ceremony dinner.
Genda also said there has been outreach from other organizations that they have never had before. Those organizations include Clinton County Family YMCA, Milner Health Care, Parkview Home along with Paul Phillippe Resource Center and Wesley Manor.
“That’s exciting to because that’s what keep something like this going,” said Genda.
Senior Olympics is for anyone age 55 and older.