September 20, 2000
Senior Games bring out the athlete in area residents
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Gary and Carla Lee believe the golden years are no excuse for slowing down.
So when the Senior Games roll around in Traverse City each fall, the Lees do not hold back. For the past three years, they have biked, walked, played table tennis, softball and basketball. Gary has also completed the triathlon every year and enjoys taking a turn at the Frisbee, and football toss.
"These games are tremendous, it gives seniors the competition we lack," said Gary Lee, who is a lifelong athlete. "Competitions like these give you the motivation to stay in shape. I played sports in high school and college, so I just continued them; I never got out of shape."
The 21st Northwest Michigan Senior Games wound up last week, after two weeks featuring a wide variety of events for seniors. From the rigors of a triathlon, 5K race or half-mile swim to slower paced card games, shuffleboard and lawn games, senior athletes had their pick of challenges. Six participants completed the triathlon, which included a 17.5-mile bike race, a 5K run and a half-mile swim.
Sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging, the Senior Games were open to anyone 50 years or older. Held for the past 21 years, the games give seniors a chance to revive their competitive spirit, though the spirit of friendly competition ruled the day.
"People would call our advice to one another, like how to improve a backstroke," said Dee Newman, a coordinator for the purchase of services for the Area Agency on Aging, who bills herself as the "junior" Senior Games enthusiast. "It is a lot of fun and we've had a lot of new staff members come in this year and the Senior Games are a great way for them to meet nice people and help them excel at whatever they are doing."
The goal of the Senior Games is to remind people that it is important to be physically active at any age. The Games' motto of fun, friends and fitness is meant to promote wellness for all the ages. In fact, the Area Agency on Aging welcomed people of all ages as volunteers during the games and many people staffing the events are younger people.
The wide variety of activities allows people who may not be as physically fit to find something they can do.
"We have card games for people not so physically active but still mentally sharp," Newman said. "We had a gal return to us this year, in her 80s; she had been quite ill for a few years at home but she came back to join us and it was a real success story for her."
New at the Senior Games this year were plaques for the top three finishers in each event, replacing the colored ribbons of previous years. This year, residents of extended care facilities also participated in some of the events, such as the new Old-Fashioned Afternoon on the Lawn, which included traditional lawn games such as croquet.
Don Vreeland of Traverse City participated in three events during the games: golf, table tennis and bowling. A retired YMCA director, this was the first time Vreeland participated in the Senior Games, though he did enter the Senior Olympics several years ago in Frankenmuth.
A lifelong sports fan who loves both watching and participating in all kinds of sports, Vreeland said he is competitive by nature. Events such as the Senior Games allow him the chance to compete, even in his senior years. Sometimes, however, there is a downside to such an opportunity.
"Table tennis was so hard, I am so sore today I can hardly move," said Vreeland, who did not lose a match all day last Wednesday. "I used muscles I didn't know I had."