Newspaper Page Text
DeKalb senior center offers
location, activities, friendship
Photo by Martha Nodar
Denise Clark, center in white tank top, leads a line dancing class for seniors.
By Martha Nodar
Built on a prime location just under
a mile from the Toco Hills Shopping
Center, the Central DeKalb County
Senior Center aims to help meet
the needs of a growing population,
said Victoria Kingsland, the center’s
manager.
A DeKalb baby boomer herself,
Kingsland said that providing an
affordable and central location where
seniors could gather and stay physically
and mentally active was the plan the
county had in mind.
“Seniors have two primary
challenges: social engagement and
transportation,” she said.
Adjacent to the Mason Mill Park
and its recreation center, the two-
story senior center is at a comfortable
walking distance from the park, the
Toco Hills-Avis G. Williams Public
Library, and Clairmont Crest - a senior
apartment complex. There are also
other senior complexes nearby.
“There are community
organizations helping us spread the
word about the center,” Kingsland said.
“I want to create an environment where
seniors are not only able to hang out
with their old friends, but also make
new friends.”
DeKalb residents who are 62 and
over, and are “independent and self
sufficient are welcome to become
members,” Kingsland said. An annual
membership fee of $60 includes the
vast majority of classes, except those
which may require a small fee charged
by the instructor teaching the class to
cover the expense of supplies.
Josie Crane takes the line dancing
class on Mondays and Wednesdays.
“I love line dancing because you
don’t need to have a partner,” Crane
said. “This is my favorite class and the
best thing I do all week. I’m going to
move for as long as I am able.”
The class is taught by Denise Clark,
a resident of Clairmont Crest who said
line dancing combines her two passions
- exercise and dancing.
Other classes involve word games
designed for cognitive stimulation.
With its state-of-the-art amenities,
the center was made possible by a grant
from the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), and it
is maintained by other grants for its
operating expenses, Kingsland said.
Plans for the use of the building
include offering catered lunch to
members in the Great Room - a large
area with tables, chairs, and floor-
to-ceiling windows overlooking the
landscape. Kingsland said the Great
Room is also available for rent to
community organizations holding
special events.
Each classroom has been
specifically designed for a particular
activity, such as exercise classes, the use
of exercise equipment, arts and crafts,
book discussions, or playing cards,
ping-pong or pool. The outdoor patio
overlooks the park.
“It’s wonderful to have such a
center,” Crane said.
For more information or to join,
drop by or call (770) 492-5465, Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. El
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