Fun abounds for single seniors

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Norma Andersen belongs to a hiking club, and she also takes portrait photos of friends and their families. Len Roark has volunteered with the county planning commission and the school district, including serving as coach for a robotics team this year. Marjorie McTaggart teaches writing at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Betty Clark is active in her church's senior group and plans to travel with several of them on a Danube River cruise next fall.

These local folks are all senior citizens, and they're all single. They have proved that living alone doesn't have to mean being lonely. Some single seniors may be looking for new mates, but many are simply seeking companionship and meaningful ways to connect with other people. If a person looks around, he or she will find a variety of ways to get connected in the community.

No one denies it's a challenge, especially for people who have had a partner for most of their lives. It takes planning and courage to find fulfilling activities and relationships. Here's some of the advice these seniors have for others who live alone.

McTaggart: Plan activities to look forward to. Develop goals for yourself, and find ways to be connected and to contribute.

Roark: Volunteer in whatever area you're interested in, and take it from there. Relationships will develop.

Clark: Take the plunge and join a group, even if many of the others are married. "It's not easy being single, but you just have to get some armor around yourself."

Andersen: Look for people with similar interests, so you'll have something in common as a basis for friendship.

The following is a list of activities and organizations that welcome single seniors. It's just a starter list, but it may spark the imagination to find new and interesting ways to find companionship.

Dancing: Friends of Traditional Dance offers three dances each month, and singles are always welcome. Most dances are held at the City Park Center, on the north side of Sheldon Lake. The first and third Saturdays, contra dances are held, and on the fourth Saturday, a special event takes place featuring a particular style of dancing. Information: 493-8277.

The Fort Collins Senior Center sponsors both dances and dance lessons. Information: 221-6644.

Faith groups: Many faith communities have social groups for seniors. At Plymouth Congregational Church, the XYZ (Extra Years of Zest) Club is open to anyone 55 or older, and the group encourages single seniors to get involved. They organize one activity each month, including concerts, game nights or trips to the mountains. Betty Clark reports that this is "a very comfortable group," accepting of her as a single person and a good avenue for making friends. If your faith community doesn't have such a group, consider starting one.

Aspen Club: This club, sponsored by Poudre Valley Hospital, has free membership for anyone over 50. The club offers exercise classes, health education classes and monthly day trips to places such as the Denver Art Museum or Rockies games. An outside walking group meets April through October, and there's a supper club with a special program the first Friday of each month. The Aspen Club also offers health screenings. Information: 495-8560.

Travel: Rocky Mountain Travel King and Centennial Travel both cater to seniors clients and host many traveling singles. Both agencies help arrange roommate situations unless customers prefer single rooms, and Sylvia Mucklow of Rocky Mountain tries to locate trips on which people don't have to pay extra for a single room. Judy Steeneck of Centennial said her agency has a high percentage of repeat customers, and they welcome newcomers "just like family." Both travel pros have seen single seniors find lasting friendships on trips, and sometimes new life partners.

Mucklow plans to organize a trip for single women if enough people are interested. Anyone interested may call her at 484-5566.

Elderhostel: Elderhostel is an international educational organization, geared to people 55 and older, with a lot of activities right near Fort Collins. About 30 percent of participants are single, according to Wayne Sundberg, a local coordinator. Some single people arrange to meet out-of-state friends or relatives at an Elderhostel program.

Sixty different programs are offered through Colorado State University, with several based at the mountain campus, Pingree Park. Programs range from skiing to music to bird watching, and local participants can save money by sharing meals with the group but not lodging. Programs generally run for five days or more.

The Elderhostel catalog can be obtained by calling the local office, 491-7377, or by going online at www.elderhostel.com. The catalog lists programs throughout the world.

Fort Collins Senior Center: Located at 1200 Raintree Drive, the center offers a multitude of activities for health, fun and education. Events run the gamut from fitness classes and downhill ski trips to Afternoon at the Movies, card tournaments, gambling excursions and trips abroad. There's a Young at Heart group that goes out to dinner every Wednesday and a new men's group that meets Monday mornings. People can sign up as singles for any activities. The Pathways publication lists all current activities, and membership costs a minimum of $15 per year. For information, call 221-6644.

Bellvue and Wellington senior centers: New people are always welcome at these centers, which offer nutritious meals as well as activities.

Volunteering: Volunteering is a great way to make new friends while helping others in the community. FirstCall is a local clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities and can be reached at 407-7066. Volunteers of America has many programs that help other seniors and can be reached at 472-9630.