Staff Writer

Spring morning sunshine spills into the living room at the Senior Center in Lower Village Kennebunk and four ladies gather at a card table to play bridge. 

They’ve all retired to homes in Maine and picked up various hobbies to keep active, from knitting to rug hooking, but each would tell you they enjoy time spent at the Senior Center with friends they’ve made. 

Ginny Sharpe, June Cooke, Arline Nowell and Edythe Ellig meet weekly to play bridge, rattling off card numbers to each other and chit chatting about current events and life. They’re just one group who meet regularly for card games at the Senior Center that was founded 19 years ago, Executive Director Susan Petit said. 

A local couple founded the center with their elderly parents in mind, who didn’t live locally, Petit said, and they renovated the old building to be handicap accessible with all activity rooms on the first floor. Senior Center members pay dues of $20 annually for a place to play cards, share books with the center’s lending library, and attend luncheons, gentle yoga and special presentations on health and well being, Petit said. 

“They are maintaining good mind and lifestyle to get out and get into things,” Petit said. “One lady came to me and said ‘You think we just come and play bridge.’” 

The woman told Petit she would not have known how to handle the loss of her husband without the companionship. Other members agree.

“It’s the camaraderie,” Sharpe said. “It’s a place to come with parking. Everyone is gracious. I can’t imagine what I’d do with out it.” 

As groups have formed and play cards regularly, Petit said friendships have developed and members check on each other if someone does not arrive on time. She said card games also require concentration, memory and focus.

“I think people criticize them because they think it is a passive activity, but it is terrific for their minds,” Petit said. “It’s such a mind game. I couldn’t learn it.”

When they’re not playing cards, Petit said members discuss current events. One group meets regularly Tuesday afternoons. 

“It gets to be a pretty active discussion,” Petit said. 

Member input regarding programs is also welcome and Petit said they have added programs in the past, including line dancing classes and gentle yoga. She said they need enough involvement in order to keep activities free for members. 

Special activities during April included a presentation from Southern Maine Agency on Aging, registered nurse blood pressure  clinic, intermediate bridge lessons, a special luncheon at Duffy’s Tavern and a book club meeting, Petit said. A monthly newsletter alerts members to upcoming events and other local senior citizen news, she said. 

“People are coming from all walks of life. It’s exciting to see people come together like that,” Petit said. “We’re a great resource and have referral programs, but find they are underused. We’d love to have more people involved.”

While members pay dues, Petit said the center hosts fundraisers to help offset cost of operating the center and activities for members. Last year, the center raised nearly $8,000 with a road race and Petit said they hope to match that amount with this year’s race scheduled for May 2. New this year, she said the center is trying a pie bake-off in July. 

“There are a lot of down-home things going on in this economy. We are really excited about this fundraiser,” Petit said. 

She said they are still finalizing details, but with an amateur and professional division competing for the best apple, fruit or miscellaneous types of pie and the auctioning off of additional pies, hopes it will be a success. 

“Fundraising is a year round effort. It’s a challenge, but it’s for a good cause,” Petit said. 

Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, members are welcome at the Senior Center anytime. To become a member, contact Susan Petit at 967-8514.

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette may be contacted at 282-4337 ext. 237.