Spring brings more than flower blossoms, rain shows, and tax forms. It also heralds the arrival of competitive sports and arts activities sponsored by the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services. This state has the largest senior Olympic program in the United States and serves as a role model for other states.
The N.C. Senior Games began in 1983 to encourage an all-inclusive approach to mind, body, and spirit wellness for residents 50 years and older and to promote their health and wellness throughout the year.
All counties are served by 53 local games occurring now. Although some begin before May, several continue through early June. Aspiring participants can watch the remaining events to plan their entries for next year and to scope out the competition for future games.
Qualifiers in the local games may participate in the state finals in the Raleigh area when more than 3,200 seniors compete. Competing in the state finals “was a fun day,” says Mary Lou Bernett of Southern Pines.
She is the director and choreographer of Alive and Clickin’, a senior tap dance troupe declared the best of show in 2013 at the local games in the Sandhills. Her group, whose members range in age from 65 to 87, “enjoyed the performing arts competition,” she says.
Because discipline, dedication, and pride are just as important in the arts as they are in sports, the games include artistic competitions to celebrate the creative expression of seniors. In addition to performing, the other arts categories are literary, heritage, and visual arts.
Not interested in the competition? Consider being a volunteer. “We had more fun than the participants,” says Colleen Hoetjes of Wake County about her volunteer experience.
The state finals require more than 900 volunteers to host the 71 activities. Most events at this level are held late September through mid-October in Wake County. For example, the arts competition will be on Thursday-Friday, Sep. 24-25, in Raleigh at the McKimmon Center.
In the Sandhills, the games are known as the Senior Games in the Pines. To applaud this year’s winners, plan to attend the closing ceremonies at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst.
Planning to compete again this year is Roger Fromm, 82, who moved to Whispering Pines in 2003. He began winning medals the next year in swimming and track events. Although he describes the state finals as “very competitive,” he returned with three gold medals in 2013 to add to others he had won in previous years.
Fromm attributes his participation in the state finals to Nat Carter, track coach at Union Pines High School, who encouraged him to enter after winning events in the Senior Games in the Pines. Fromm was so successful in the local games that he’s not sure how many medals he’s won – “more than 30 but less than 40,” he says.
The sports competitions recognize the importance of health, fitness, and physical excellence. Individuals complete in their own gender and age categories (in five-year increments). Some events are unique, such as the cornhole tournament hosted by Aging Outreach Services.
The rules are simple: To compete, you need to be at least 50 and have a commitment to mind, body, and spirit wellness. For more information about the games, go to the Facebook page of North Carolina Senior Games Inc., or visit its website at www.ncseniorgames.org.