Neeley Jones is putting her mark on the Ridgeland Senior Programs, which provides a mix of classes and events for its participants.
Jones took over as coordinator of the programs in late October and has already made several additions to the lineup that she believes will attract more participants.
“I’m trying to recruit more people and, with recruiting more people, I will be adding more classes for our program,” Jones said. “Our Facebook page has been active for about a month now, and I have gotten a lot of interest from the Facebook group.”
The mission of the Ridgeland Senior Programs is to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment where adults 50 and older can participate in enhancing their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Part of the mission is accomplished by providing exercise and fitness classes for seniors.
“At the beginning of the year, everyone has fitness goals, so we have several classes,” Jones said.
This month, Jones scheduled a Balance and Fall Proof workshop with Instructor Lisa Newman. Jones said she has a family member who would benefit from this class and she thought many others would, too.
“When I saw Lisa Newman had a class like this, it just really touched my heart,” Jones said. “I want everyone to be strong and safe from falling. It is just terrible to see your loved ones fall and get hurt. She is going to help them regain balance and make sure everyone is stretching. She will help you learn to do these exercises at home also.”
The first class took place on Jan. 5 and it was completely full.
“I had so much interest and double the people I expected to show up to the class,” Jones said. “I will offer this class again in the spring. I’m not sure of a date yet, but we will definitely be having this again.”
The Ridgeland program has ongoing fitness classes as well: Senior Fit, which is recommended for those recovering from an illness or surgery; The Complete Mix, which is the most strenuous exercise class; and fun classes such as tap dancing, yoga and martial arts. There are also gardening clubs, art classes and bible studies.
A new event Jones started is Birthday Bingo.
“You don’t have to have a birthday– it is just celebrating the birthdays for each month,” Jones said. “Everybody is invited to play bingo, win prizes, and eat cake to celebrate the birthdays from each month.”
Jones scheduled a Valentine’s Day crafts event on Feb. 3 and a Valentine’s Luncheon on Feb. 7 with entertainment by the Victory Belles, a vocal trio who performs at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and across the globe.
“The Victory Belles sing and dress up like the 1940’s,” Jones said. “It is a really fun event, and it’s going to be my first time, obviously, but I hear the tickets sell out. It’s limited seating, but I do still have seats available.”
To view the full schedule of classes and events at the Ridgeland Recreational Center for seniors, contact neeley.jones@ridgelandms.org and ask to be added to the newsletter list or follow the Ridgeland Senior Adult Programs on Facebook.
“We are filling up on some classes, but I do have lots open and, as I get interest, I will add more classes as we go,” Jones said.
Madison’s Retirement Program offers exercise classes that include therapeutic chair stretching, yoga, cardio and yogalates, each of which allow participants to use chairs to make modifications to the various exercises if needed..
“Some of the ladies will use their chairs,” Madison’s Retirement Coordinator Tona Becker said. “You can do jumping jacks in your chair the same as you can do toe touches. We do modify the exercises for the individual.”
Becker said a large crowd comes to play bridge on the first two Thursdays of each month from 1-4 p.m.
“They play what’s called a party bridge,” Becker said. “I’ll have five to six tables that will come for bridge every month.”
An important class that Madison hosts on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Madison Justice Complex is called TRIAD.
“TRIAD stands for The Right Information And Direction,” Becker said. “We have a speaker that will come and talk about fraud and what to look out for.”
Becker said she also has some ideas for new classes and expects to initiate them in the spring.
For more information about the Madison Retirement Program, visit http://www.madisonthecity.com/senior-services and refer to the monthly calendar. For more information, contact Becker at 601-317-9756 or tonabecker@comcast.net.
Retirement programs aren’t all just about health and wellness but provide something fun to do for seniors, Jones said.
“It is great to be with people,” Jones said. “I feel like this is a way to destress and have fun. We also have all these rocking chairs and all of our activities are conducted facing the reservoir. It is so pretty and relaxing. It is always a sense of calming.”
