One more step in approaching normalcy

The last party held at the Annapolis Senior Activity Center was on Bates Alumni Day in February 2020. The St. Patrick’s Day party never happened because the center was closed in March 2020 because of the Covid virus.

Since the center’s reopening on May 3, 2021, the center has gradually been returning to normal with lunch for the seniors, games, Anne Arundel Community College classes and center-sponsored classes, crabs on the go, and jewelry and flea market fund raisers. What they haven’t had is a party … at least not until now. On Dec. 16 they had their first party in almost two years.

The holiday party was a blast. Everyone was dressed in reds, greens, sparkles, glitter and Christmas attire. Christmas trees glowed. The food, provided by Chef Ebony Phillips of Triple K Katering in Glen Burnie, was tasty, and the music by the Bates Jazz Ensemble was awesome.

In addition to the fun aspect of the party, the seniors had the opportunity to meet two very important people … County Executive Steuart Pittman and Karrisa Kelly, who became director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities in the midst of the pandemic. In one-on-one conversations, the two listened to some of the seniors and talked to them about county resources available to them.

Speaking of which, membership at the Annapolis Senior Center is free and open to seniors age 55 and up. A membership card allows participation at any of Anne Arundel County’s seven (soon to be eight) senior centers.

To find out more about the Annapolis center, call 410-222-1818 or go to www.aacounty.org/departments/aging-and-disabilities to get a complete listing of the county’s centers.