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Senior socialization is driving H-F Parks 55+ programming

The name of the game is engagement.

After going through isolation to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the world has re-opened, and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is helping residents 55+ to reconnect through weekly, monthly or quarterly activities.

Devin Frendreis, senior programs coordinator, said participation in programs has been growing. Participation was in the single digits, but now programs can draw 30 to 40 people. A recent holiday party at Wiley’s Grill had 52 participants.

More than 50 people gathered in December for a holiday party, part of the 55+ programming sponsored
by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. (Marilyn Thomas/H-F Chronicle)

Gayle McCormick of Homewood came out for the holiday party. It was her first time at a 55+ program. She was happy to connect with others in the area. A few days later, she volunteered for a senior-to-senior program pairing community seniors with Homewood-Flossmoor High School seniors to answer letters to Santa.

Joanne Biagi of Homewood has been enjoying park programs for a few years and likes to encourage others to come out for different events. 

“I try to drum up a little bit of business,” she said. The holiday party gathering was “the biggest crowd I’ve seen in a long time.”

“At the heart of all this, I just want people to come back and connect with each other. When you’re in isolation and not around people, there’s so many negative impacts of that and you lose social skills. Reconnecting at events is the magic. That brings me so much joy,” Frendreis said. “To have 10 people in a room talking about what they did over the holidays, two years ago we didn’t have that opportunity. 

“I never wanted to cancel programs,” Frendreis said.  During those months in 2021 and early 2022, she believed that once word got out on the programs, seniors would be back. The first post-pandemic success was Wind Down Wednesday, a time to socialize over wine or nonalcoholic beverages. That program is back on the spring schedule.

Frendreis said that program was a catalyst for other activities, such as Paint & Sip, a luncheon with a painting activity. The next session will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, at the Irwin Center. 

“We’re seeing people want to come back and attend programs they’ve never attended before,” she said.

One ongoing program is line dancing on Mondays. That class has grown to more than 25 people, from beginners to those who have been coming for several years.

There’s also an adults fall and spring noncompetitive bowling league that meets Wednesday mornings. Frendreis said participation has doubled from 2021 numbers.

And the Irwin Center is where seniors gather at 10 a.m. on Thursdays to discuss national and global current events.

Many seniors recall the pre-pandemic monthly luncheons with entertainment. Frendreis said she is working to bring that program back on a quarterly basis starting in spring. She has Alexi Senior Living as a sponsor to cover the cost of entertainment and is looking for other sponsors.

“My goal is to get people to try something new for 2023, try a program and give us feedback because I can only grow programs with feedback,” Frendreis added.

Registrations are required for most programs. She invites seniors to check out the Choices brochure through the hfparks.com website or call for details at 708-957-0300. Frendreis can be contacted directly at [email protected]. Registrations are accepted online or at the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood or at the park district’s Goldberg Administrative Center at 3301 Flossmoor Road.  

Senior socialization is driving H-F Parks 55+ programming

By Marilyn Thomas

The name of the game is engagement.

After going through isolation to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the world has re-opened, and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is helping residents 55+ to reconnect through weekly, monthly or quarterly activities.

Devin Frendreis, senior programs coordinator, said participation in programs has been growing. Participation was in the single digits, but now programs can draw 30 to 40 people. A recent holiday party at Wiley’s Grill had 52 participants.

Gayle McCormick of Homewood came out for the holiday party. It was her first time at a 55+ program. She was happy to connect with others in the area. A few days later, she volunteered for a senior-to-senior program pairing community seniors with Homewood-Flossmoor High School seniors to answer letters to Santa.

Joanne Biagi of Homewood has been enjoying park programs for a few years and likes to encourage others to come out for different events. 

“I try to drum up a little bit of business,” she said. The holiday party gathering was “the biggest crowd I’ve seen in a long time.”

“At the heart of all this, I just want people to come back and connect with each other. When you’re in isolation and not around people, there’s so many negative impacts of that and you lose social skills. Reconnecting at events is the magic. That brings me so much joy,” Frendreis said. “To have 10 people in a room talking about what they did over the holidays, two years ago we didn’t have that opportunity. 

“I never wanted to cancel programs,” Frendreis said.  During those months in 2021 and early 2022, she believed that once word got out on the programs, seniors would be back. The first post-pandemic success was Wind Down Wednesday, a time to socialize over wine or nonalcoholic beverages. That program is back on the spring schedule.

Frendreis said that program was a catalyst for other activities, such as Paint & Sip, a luncheon with a painting activity. The next session will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, at the Irwin Center. 

“We’re seeing people want to come back and attend programs they’ve never attended before,” she said.

One ongoing program is line dancing on Mondays. That class has grown to more than 25 people, from beginners to those who have been coming for several years.

There’s also an adults fall and spring noncompetitive bowling league that meets Wednesday mornings. Frendreis said participation has doubled from 2021 numbers.

And the Irwin Center is where seniors gather at 10 a.m. on Thursdays to discuss national and global current events.

Many seniors recall the pre-pandemic monthly luncheons with entertainment. Frendreis said she is working to bring that program back on a quarterly basis starting in spring. She has Alexi Senior Living as a sponsor to cover the cost of entertainment and is looking for other sponsors.

“My goal is to get people to try something new for 2023, try a program and give us feedback because I can only grow programs with feedback,” Frendreis added.

Registrations are required for most programs. She invites seniors to check out the Choices brochure through the hfparks.com website or call for details at 708-957-0300. Frendreis can be contacted directly at [email protected]. Registrations are accepted online or at the Irwin Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood or at the park district’s Goldberg Administrative Center at 3301 Flossmoor Road.  

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