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Seniors look forward to return of Senior Games

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At 86 years young, Martha Dobbins aims to take on her competitors in a variety of events again this year during the Rutherford County Senior Center's Senior Games.

"I did participate in everything," Dobbins said. "But there are some things I can't take part in anymore. I love bocce, shuffleboard and horseshoes."

Dobbins will likely take part in all of those and possibly a few more this year when the sporting events start in April. The games will officially begin in mid-March with the SilverArts competition, followed by SilverArts Follies and the sporting events. An opening gala is set for Friday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m. A closing gala for registered participants, families and friends will be held Friday, May 6, starting at 6 p.m.

"Our senior center has been participating in Senior Games for more than 25 years," said Barbara Hill, Senior Games coordinator at the Rutherford County Senior Center. "If they qualify here, they can go on to the state games in Raleigh in September."

Hill said participants are competitive, and look forward to taking part each year.

"I'm astonished with their talents and with what they enjoy doing," Hill added. "They take it very seriously - we had one participant who put off her surgery until after the games just so she could participate!"

Each year there have been participants who have placed at state and gone on to the national games, Hill said.

Placing is fun, Dobbins said, but the benefits of the games have far outweighed the awards.

"It keeps you active," she explained. "I've been through two bouts with cancer and had heart issues, so I've got to stay active. And, it's a good friendship thing. My partner, Peg Greene, has been an encouragement."

The games are a lot of fun, said another participant, Junior Johnson.

"I enjoy the dickens out of it," he said. "I like to win."

Both Dobbins and Johnson are advocates for the game and work to recruit others to take part. Last year there were 100 seniors who took part.

"We want to top that this year," Dobbins said.

To be eligible to participate, seniors must be 50 or older on or before Dec. 31, 2016, and be a North Carolina resident for a minimum of three consecutive months of the calendar year.

Sporting events participants can choose to take art in include basketball shooting, spin casting, softball or football throw or fun walk. There is also swimming, archery and golf as well as bowling. Tournament sports include bocce, billiards, horseshoes, shuffleboard, table tennis and corn hole.

Those who don't necessarily want to take part in the athletic portions can choose to take part in visual and performing arts through SilverArts. Categories include heritage arts, literary arts, performing arts and visual arts.

Barbara Rectenwald has taken part in the sporting events as well as SilverArts. She plans to enter again this year, and has completed some oil paintings and acrylics.

"I've also started painting gourds and making them into flower arrangements," she said.

Rectenwald learned to paint at the senior center, and has come to enjoy the art form.

"When I sit down to paint I have an idea in my head, but then the hand of God comes in," she said.

Senior Games keeps her mind busy and gives her an opportunity to volunteer and give back to others.

"The talent in this room is unbelievable," she said.

Registration for Senior Games will be accepted through Friday, March 15. Entry fee is $12; first time participants' entry fee is $10. Entry fees and completed registration forms, which are available at the Senior Center, must be turned in together. Senior Games are open to all seniors; you do not have to attend the Rutherford County Senior Center to take part.

Competition in senior games is be age and sex divisions as follows: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99 and 100+. The Rutherford County Senior Games is sanctioned by North Carolina Senior Games; all events are conducted in accordance with the 2016 edition of the North Carolina Senior Games Official Rules Book.

For more information, contact the Rutherford County Senior Center at 828-287-6409.

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