OXFORD – Pat Frye scanned the group of seniors arriving on Monday at the Station House Community Center and nodded. “Seven came the first week; today it looks like we have 9 or 10,” she said. “The more the merrier.”
Nearby, Barbara Hall and Ed Murphy sat playing a card game of cribbage. Murphy, who has lived in Oxford for some 58 years, said it was good to have a place to go on cold winter mornings. “I think it would be a good idea (to keep coming),” he said. “It’s something new around here.”
Frye and Hall said they hope word will continue spreading about the new program for seniors that the two Oxford women have organized. They said they felt more activities were needed for seniors, who may be more prone than younger people to feelings of isolation and loneliness, particularly if they live alone.
“Seniors just don’t get outdoors naturally,” Frye said. “If they don’t have something scheduled at a certain time and place, they don’t go. We thought this would be a good, healthy time for people.”
Monday was the second week for the program, which takes place every Monday from 10 a.m. until noon at the Station House Community Center on King Street. The building was formerly the Central Fire Station.
All seniors who live in Oxford are invited, and they are welcome to bring a friend who lives inside or outside the community.
Frye’s daughter, Pamela Lovely, is a volunteer for the town of Oxford who coordinates renting of the community center for different events. “She wanted to get different things going. That got me interested, and we asked her for a senior day,” Frye said.
The program will continue on Mondays until early May, when spring weather should enable seniors to get outside and participate in other activities. The program will then restart in October.
Seniors can play Ping-Pong, pool or darts, as well as cards or several different board games such as Scrabble. Coffee, donuts and cookies will be sold for a small fee. Frye explained that she and Hall will supply the coffee and food, so the fee helps cover their expenses.
Frye and Hall also are looking for ideas to keep seniors busy and entertained. “We’re open to suggestions,” said Frye. “We’re very flexible.”
For now, they are just glad people are coming and socializing. “Most (younger) people work during the week. Seniors are the group that has the least to do. We wanted to do something for them,” said Frye.
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