The Birches Activities Fair Keeps the Community Active and Engaged at Any Age

As a Masterpiece Living community that emphasizes living life to the fullest at every age, The Birches Assisted Living offers a wide selection of programs, activities, and clubs to keep the Birches community engaged and active. On March 26, The Birches hosted an activities fair to highlight some of these offerings and to encourage Birches residents, associates, and family members to try something new.

The fair, which took place between 5:30 and 6:30 throughout The Birches lobby and first floor, featured informational tables for each Birches club or activity. Many of these tables were staffed by a group representative who provided information to attendees and answered questions. 

Several tables also handed out snacks and goodies to keep fair-goers satiated as they meandered from table to table. The Scrabble Club, for example, gave out Cheez-Its shaped like Scrabble pieces. The Gourmet Club, of course, gave out a plethora of treats, including hard-boiled eggs, croissants, and other baked goodies. Linda Graham, The Birches’ dietitian, chose health-conscious treats to hand out at her table— a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruit. In addition to the snacks provided at each table, The Birches offered a refreshment table stocked with a delectable selection of wine, cheese, appetizers, fruit, and soda.

As they snacked the night away, fair attendees also seized the opportunity to learn about the unique mix of clubs and activities The Birches offers—and many even signed up for something new. Birches resident Marge Wolf, for example, decided that even at 97 years young it is not too late to expand your horizons and acquire a new skill. Wolf felt inspired to sign-up for the Garden Club, which includes a weekly lesson in flower arranging. “I would love to do a better job with flowers, so I’ll enjoy that,” said Wolf.

Residents Darcy Kelleher and Dorothy Slesser also seized the opportunity to try something new. Both Kelleher and Slesser volunteered for the Resident Welcoming Committee, a group dedicated to making new residents of The Birches feel at home. “It’s nice to have someone come to your door and welcome you,” said Slesser. Kelleher seconded that notion, saying that existing residents are the perfect people to help incoming residents adjust to their new home.  “We know what it’s like to live here and the different feelings you experience when you move in,” said Kelleher.

In addition to her new role on the Resident Welcoming Committee, Kelleher is also an established member of the Scrabble Club, and even helped staff the table for the activities fair. When asked why other members of The Birches community should join the Scrabble Club, Kelleher said, “It’s very entertaining and it’s good for your brain. It’s also social—you meet other people your age. I know I like it very much.” During the fair, Kelleher and other members of the Scrabble Club demonstrated first-hand how much fun they have in the club by playing a round of Scrabble right at their table.

The Pinochle Club also gave a live demonstration of their club in-action. The activities fair happened to fall in conjunction with the club’s weekly meeting, and club members decided to continue their pinochle playing as planned. Club members Regina Frunk and Robert Lucas were gearing up for their weekly game as they waited for the other two members of the group to arrive, including Lucas’s daughter who founded the club. According to Frunk and Lucas, the club has been meeting weekly for six months and bonds over their love of card playing.

The activities fair overflowed with Birches community members who were ready to enjoy themselves and, in some cases, branch out and try something new. Surrounded by plenty of food, fun, and friendly faces, attendees reveled in the opportunity to learn more about the entertaining activities that are a part of daily life at The Birches. One thing is for certain— whether or not fair-goers felt compelled to sign-up for a new club or activity, everyone appreciated the delightful evening of social connection and festivity.