Category Archives: Activities

RELAY FOR LIFE

The 55+ Club has teamed up with the City of Satellite Beach to assist with this very worthy fundraiser. The Relay For Life movement is American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser dedicated to helping communities attack cancer. The Relay team has several events planned to raise funds. Garage Sale, Corn Hole tournament, bingo, raffle baskets are just a few. If you would like to assist with any of the events please contact Louise Stevenson at 321/202-7337 or louinthesun@cfl .rr.com to learn more information.

In addition we will be looking for garage sale items, so this will be a good opportunity to clean out and donate. We are also looking for donations of new items that would be a nice addition to theme baskets that will be raffled off. Of course, monetary donations are always accepted.

Renewal begins in September, but you are welcome to pay your 2020 dues anytime. From team members to volunteers, we all want to remember those we’ve lost, help those affected today, and give us a home team advantage against cancer. Through funds donated, time given, or awareness raised, our communities are teaming up to make a difference. The funds raised through Relay For Life will not only honor survivors and remember loved ones, but also help give cancer patients and their families the resources they need, like free rides to chemo, free places to stay near hospitals, and a live 24/7 helpline for answers and support.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CARDS AND GAMES

This group is having a whole bunch of fun playing Wild Canasta, Poker & Cribbage. Possible new and different games can be added as more members join the group. In addition, pool and ping pong tables are available for play. Bring a friend and have some fun! Please bring a snack to share. On Nov. 20th they will be celebrating Thanksgiving. For more information contact Terry Mellon, Member at large and Wednesday Night leader at 321/773-7705 or [email protected]

WALKING

Sorry, walking has had some hiccups getting started back up. This is the current schedule.

8:00am to 9:30am on Tuesday & Thursdays only through October with Jean

November on, 8:00am to 9:30am Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays with Jean & Gigi

No walking Nov. 28, Dec. 25 & 26, Jan. 1

F.Y.I on additional places to walk

  • 3 times around the pond at Desoto Park = approx. 1 mile (note, restrooms are by the Tennis courts, follow the sidewalk at the SE corner of the park)
  • 4 times around sports park (by the SB Library) = 1 mile
  • SHS Track is open for public use when not in use by SHS, 4 times around = 1 mile

RECAP – NEW MEMBER WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION

That was held on Sept. 20th was a great success! Approximately 60 people attended and all enjoyed wine and plenty of hors d’oeuvres! Lots of questions were asked and several new members signed up to volunteer in one way or another. Thank you to ALL the board and committee members and volunteers who helped put this event together! It definitely takes a village!

55+CLUB SPOTLIGHT: HISTORY OF THE 55+ CLUB

There was a Senior Club that met on Thursdays at the Satellite Beach Civic Center and were social in nature. That club ran for many years until attendance dropped and it dissolved in the 1990’s. The Recreation staff always knew a Senior Club was needed for our community.

The Recreation office, on Cinnamon Dr., was vacated in 1997 due to a building safety concern and was relocated to the Teen Zone. The Teen Zone had been earlier renovated through community efforts and was being rented by the landowner to the P.A.L organization. The recreation office “borrowed space” there when their offi ce was removed from the Cinnamon Dr. location.

In 1998, a referendum was held to build a recreation complex at the SB Sports and Recreation Park. The price tag was ridiculous, and the referendum failed. Kerry Stoms,
then recreation director, brought together those who supported the park and those who did not to discuss what adjustments needed to be made. The consensus was, lower the
cost, locate an existing building and it would be supported. The City was also hearing that the P.A.L landlord may not renew the lease for the Teen Zone. Since this old building/plaza already had all the infrastructure in place, the City chose to purchase the entire complex. In 2001 Marty Hindsley came into the Recreation offi ce and asked, “Why don’t you have a senior citizen organization”? Good question. It was always the intention of the Recreation Dept. to help organize a new senior club. A few weeks later, another individual by the name of Phyllis Principe’ asked the same question. This could not be a coincidence, perhaps divine intervention?! Together, Marty and Phyllis, along with Recreation staff, formed the original blue print that would launch a new senior club. When the DRS Center was open in 2002 a meeting was held to discuss forming a senior club.

Officers were nominated and a decision was made to name the new club, “The 55+ Club of Satellite Beach”. The committee started the process of creating a Mission Statement, By-laws and Activities. A kick-off luncheon was planned for Dec. 2002 and registered 140 new members and in 2003 the board registered the club as a 501C7. All seniors 55 and up were welcomed and membership was NOT limited to Satellite Beach residents.

Marty knew that this club could not run by itself nor could he run it alone, so he surrounded himself with people of like interest. Many activities were added to the club’s menu and the biggest request was Bingo!! Marty’s mantra was to look at the club like a big pie. The pie represents the club and each slice of that pie represents a club activity. One BIG slice of that pie became Bingo. Bingo required the club to follow specific rules, among those are Brevard County Gaming Laws. One rule states that ALL players MUST belong to a non-profit organization in order to play. Bingo could not, would not exist without it being part of that “pie”! None of our activities could stand alone and could not run on their own without support of the club as a whole.

Interests have begun to vary now with more members joining between the ages of 55 to 65 and we want to offer programs that this age group will enjoy, but we can’t do it alone. Team up with a friend and help add something new to the club’s list and become a piece of that big pie!

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Our Education programs have returned and started out with an early program in august by VITAS. Members enjoyed a great brunch and learned important facts about hospice care and Medicare benefi ts. Please see the back of this newsletter for the Sept. & Oct. upcoming Educational Programs.

Do you know of a business that may be interested in becoming a 55+ Club sponsor? Contact Jill Blakeway at 321/773-2080 or [email protected] Note: Look for something
“educational” each month. These programs may be held on different days and/or various times. Please support our sponsors by attending these programs! Call 321/773-6458 to reserve your place! Please always RSVP as this helps us to plan the proper amount of food.