After a year of dealing with the pandemic, the Mitchell Senior Center is trending toward normalcy and has introduced a new cardio drumming activity. Pictured drumming from left to right is Kay Glenn, Rachel Murdock, Kenneth Murdock, Paulette McKinney and Susan Hogsette. (MNJ photo/Ariana Maniatis)
LEDGER — After a year of operating amid the global pandemic, the Mitchell Senior Center is trending toward normalcy.
The center’s dining hall will reopen on July 6 and activities, including crafts, billiards and Bible study, are returning with few limitations.
The dining hall and activity rooms shut down during the pandemic, but the center itself never completely closed— the staff still delivered meals to area senior residents and made phone calls three times per week to ensure the well-being of local seniors.
The center’s reopening has also ushered in some new experiences, including a new cardio drumming class.
Senior Center Director Kathy Garland said cardio drumming has already been popular among area seniors.
“They started cardio drumming and it’s been so popular that we started an additional class on Wednesdays,” Garland said.
Within a group setting, the seniors drum to the beat of hit songs, raising their heart rates through rhythm.
Many of the area seniors who frequent the Senior Center were greatly affected by the pandemic, Garland said. With many events moving to a virtual format or being postponed, some seniors were left in low spirits.
“The isolation and depression during COVID were really bad,” Garland said. “We lost a lot of clients and it’s hard on staff. Mental health affects everything.”
Garland added that she noticed how grieving has been different for the older generation as they were forced to adjust to a heavily virtual lifestyle.
With many state COVID restrictions lifted, the seniors are not required to wear masks, but temperatures are still taken at the door. Hand sanitizing stations are set up throughout the building and social distancing is still enforced.
The ease of restrictions has also allowed for regular field trips to resume.
“We have two trips coming up,” Garland said, “A bowling alley in Johnson City and shopping in Morganton.”
Garland asks that anyone interested in participating in activities call ahead so her staff can prepare. Contact the center at 688-2314.
“There is something for everyone to do here at the center,” Garland said. “We are excited to be opening again. I have been here 10 years and it doesn’t seem like it. Our coworkers and our seniors, it’s like a family.”