May is Older Americans Month.

Our older Americans have seen the country and the world change throughout their lives.

Some of them saw World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam.

They saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of the internet.

They watched the computing power of a room full of computers shrunk down into a phone hardly bigger than a business card.

Along with the big, world-wide events, they’ve also witnessed many personal events, events that meant the world to them.

Marriage.

The birth of children and grandchildren.

The pursuit of careers.

The forging of lifelong friendships.

They were challenged and rose to those challenges.

And they haven’t stopped.

This year’s theme is “Age Out Loud.” The Administration of Community Living defines it thusly:

“This theme shines a light on many important trends. More than ever before, older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities. They’re taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. What it means to age has changed, and OAM 2017 is a perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate what getting older looks like today.”

Our older Americans are always worth celebrating, every month.

For this month, our community has a variety of events planned to celebrate them.

Free events include: Exercise Classes will be held each Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center (LRSC); every Monday, Chair Yoga is held at the LRSC at 10:15 a.m.; every second Tuesday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., the Salvation Army will offer BOGO Days for Seniors. On May 3, 24 and 31 a low impact aerobics and line dancing class for seniors will be offered at 10:15 a.m. at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

Other Activities are:

May 8: 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Board Game Day at First Baptist Church (FBC) Family Life Center (FLC) with participants going to eat a Dutch Treat Meal afterwards.

May 10: 10 a.m. 10 Signs of Alzheimer – Alzheimer’s Assoc. Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

May 10: Noon: Palliative Care-Seminar/Luncheon sponsored by Tift Regional Health Services held at Tift Regional Medical Center Event’s Center-Carpenter Road.

May 11: 10:30 a.m., “You Want To Talk About What?” An important discussion about end of life care. Presented by Bowen Donaldson held at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

May 11: 7 p.m., Sons of Jubal Concert (Ministers of Music across GA) hosted by FBC Tifton in the Sanctuary.

May 12: Noon, Senior Fish Fry sponsored by Tifton Fire Department held at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

May 15: 3- 5 p.m., Board Game Day at FBC FLC with participants going to eat a Dutch Treat Meal afterwards.

May 16: 2 p.m., Community Bingo, sponsored by Cypress Pond.

May 17: 10 a.m., Am I Really Thirsty and Not Hungry? sponsored by UGA Ext. FCS held at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

May 18: 11:30 a.m., Senior Picnic sponsored by Tift County Recreation Department and Jay Deason Fund held at the Tift County Recreation Multi-purpose Building/Gym.

May 19: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., An indoor yard sale – Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

May 23: Noon, a Musical Luncheon featuring Jerry Moss and ELVIS sponsored by Cypress Pond, Maple Court, COT-LRSC held at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

May 26: 2 p.m. Maple Court’s Butter Bean Auction held at Maple Court.

May 29: 3-5 p.m. Board Game Day at FBC FLC with participants going to eat a Dutch Treat Meal afterwards.