Senior Summers

Spending some time around Coldwater this summer? Be sure to check out one of the gems of Branch County: the Burnside Center.

Renovated in 2017, the state-of-the-art facility boasts a welcoming atrium, a complete exercise room with over 10 pieces of exercise equipment, activity rooms hosting educational events and daily game play, a wood shop and a craft room to get your creative mind flowing, and so much more, all offered at little or no cost!

“The Burnside Center can enhance retirement by offering a myriad of activities to keep you physically healthy and mentally sharp,” says Amy Duff, executive director of the Branch County Commission on Aging. “Plus, it’s lots of fun!”

Branch County Commission on Aging operates the Burnside Center at 65 Grahl Drive in Coldwater and is available to those who have a home in Branch County, are age 50 and over, with no membership cost. Funding comes primarily from property tax dollars, with state and federal grants, as well as donations. The Burnside Center is open on weekdays: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8am to 4:30pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am to 6pm.

“We aim to keep activities ‘free’ or with a ‘suggested donation’ whenever possible to make sure all Branch County seniors can participate,” says Programs Director Freda Leupp.

Every day at Burnside you’ll find a number of games being played. Some of the most popular include euchre, pinochle, bridge, bingo and Wii bowling. Mah-jongg tile game is new to the Center within the last year. The billiards room is open during all business hours with two pool tables available for seniors.

In the computer lab you can enjoy free access to computers and a printer while getting advice from, or a repair completed by, one of the lab’s senior volunteer computer techs. Classes for advanced or beginner computer users are taught on a regular basis.

If you’re artistic or hoping to learn a new hobby, the Burnside Center has many excellent activities. Stained glass classes are available both for beginners and established glass workers. On Monday afternoons, the “Ladies in the Wood Shop” group creates unique projects. Watercolor and china-painting classes are held on Tuesdays with a professional instructor. Knitting, crocheting, quilting and other craft classes are held throughout the week as well.

For those who are looking to stay in shape or lose some weight, the Burnside Center exercise room is open during all business hours with NO membership fee. Treadmills, NuSteps, stationary bikes and a few resistance machines are available. All the equipment has been specially chosen as safe and easy to understand for new or experienced exercisers.

Zumba Gold is available on Monday mornings for those looking for a fast-paced aerobic exercise class. Tai chi is available on Thursday mornings for those who prefer a relaxed, gentle stretching exercise program.

Would you like to get some exercise in the water? The Burnside Center has programs for that, too. In partnership with the Dr. Robert W. Browne Aquatic Center, the Burnside Center is offering the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program. This is a low-impact program designed to reduce pain and improve overall health for those who have arthritis or related conditions. This program is offered through a federal grant and has no cost. Availability is limited. For information on scheduling, please call the pool at 517-279-5920.

In addition to this class, the aquatic center is offers $2 day passes to seniors who show a Burnside Center key tag. This day pass is good anytime that “open swim” is available. If you’d like to take advantage of this, stop into the Burnside Center and fill out a registration sheet. While your key tag is being made, you can take a tour of the Center and see what all is available to you. There is no cost for a key tag.

Once a month, gatherings are held for women and men respectively to enjoy some social interaction, free food and learn something new. Meet, Greet and Eat is a women’s monthly luncheon held on the second Wednesday of the month. Men @ Lunch is a men’s monthly luncheon held on the third Wednesday of the month. Both events take place at 11am and require advance reservation. These are popular events that typically fill up. At each event, a speaker of interest is scheduled as well.

For more information and a complete listing of programs, activities and services administered by the Branch County Commission on Aging, visit BurnsideCenter.com. You can also stop in and pick up a paper copy of our newsletter. For the latest updates, we recommend following us on Facebook or signing up for our weekly e-mail blasts.