Seniors, Get Social

BY ISABELLA OKUN

Seniors who are not in the workforce may find it difficult to meet new people or find things to do that really interest them. Here are a few unique opportunities and options for seniors to get social in Western New York.

Amherst Center for Senior Services, 636-3050; amherst.ny.us/pdf/senior/sc_ application.pdf

The town of Amherst Senior Services Center has a number of groups and clubs for members aged fifty-five and older, including the Amherst Recorder Consort, a men’s golf league, a book club, and more. Visit the website for membership information.

Polish Cadets Hall, 927 Grant St., Buffalo, 875-3211; polishcadetsofbuffalo.com

It is a place where young and old can enjoy good food and drinks. It is a good place to bring people to and meet new and interesting people. And the club’s fish fry is a very popular menu item. They celebrate Polish events and holidays and the hall is a regular venue for swing dancing classes.

Schiller Park Senior Center 2057 Genesee St., Buffalo, 895-6010

This senior center provides case management, education programs, information and referral, and assistance, as well as advocacy and congregate dining, a high blood pressure clinic, social and recreation programs, nutrition program, fitness classes, transportation (medical, shopping, and daily to attend nutrition program), and outreach.

Tosh Collins Senior Center, 35 Cazenovia St., Buffalo, 828-1093

This senior center allows senior citizens to interact and provides living and health food services. It offers bingo, pool, pinochle, billiards, and yoga. The center even offers transportation for South Buffalo residents.

YMCA Active Older Adult Clubs; Check website for nearest locations: ymcabuffaloniagara.org/new-clubsactivities/active-older-adult-clubs

Being healthy is about taking care of ourselves and our families in spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA offers various activities for seniors to engage in including sports and games. Participants bond with their teammates and have fun.

Members of the Silver Pride Project meet on the second Tuesday of each month. Photo courtesy of Loop Magazine

Silver Pride Project, 200 S. Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 852-7743; http://pridecenterwny.org/Services/ Aging/SPP

Isolation can be a relentless enemy to LGBT seniors, but those who find their way to The Pride Center find some powerful allies. They provide a community of new friends for seniors through The Silver Pride Project, a peer group designed by seniors, many of them looking to raise awareness on LGBT aging issues and organizing social events to reduce social isolation. They provide card parties, game days, computer classes, workshops, Lunch and Learn (with speakers), and meals at neighborhood restaurants. They also offer regular events such as LGBTQ Seniors Coffee Hour, Tea Time, and Healthy Lunch.

Seniors of Faith City of Buffalo, Division for Senior Services; City Hall, Room 8A, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo; 851-4141 www.city-buffalo.com

The Seniors of Faith is a new initiative targeted at seniors in area churches. It is looking for seniors who want to help with a variety of community projects designed to assist individuals in need and/or improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Buffalo Old Time Radio and Nostalgia Club Mail: Old Time Radio Club, 144 Fontaine Dr., Cheektowaga, NY 14215; buffalo-otr-club.org

This organization is dedicated to the regeneration of interest in an enjoyment of that part of vanishing Americana that has become known as the “Golden Age of Radio.” Many members still fondly remember “Old Time Radio.” Others are too young to have known it first hand but became interested through revivals.

Equality Club of Buffalo, 565-6000

This is the oldest continuously operating men’s club in Western New York. Meetings are held at noon every Friday at a local restaurant and include lunch and a speaker or presentation. For more information, call the YMCA Buffalo Niagara Corporate Office at 565-6000 or email Sidney Fish at sidneyfish716@gmail.com.

Meetups

Meetup.com is a website where you can find and join groups based on your interests. Or, create your own group and meet people near you who share your interests.

Buffalo Fun and Friendship Social Meetup (for WNY women), meetup.com/buffalo-fun-friendshipsocial-meetup-for-women

This group was formed for the purpose of creating a fun environment for meeting new people and forming new friendships: women in their 30s, through 70s, who all want to enjoy time with others. If you’re looking for someone to walk with, a way to make new friends, learn something new, or people to share your passion of life with, check it out.

Buffalo Fun and Friendship Social (Guys and Dollz edition), meetup.com/buffalo-fun-friendshipsocial-guys-dollz-edition

This group was formed for the purpose of creating a fun environment for meeting new people and forming new friendships.

Southtowns Couples Dining Out, meetup.com/southtown-couplesdining-out

Meet friendly 50s-60s married couples while exploring area restaurants. This group was formed to create genuine lasting friendships in a casual environment. It meets every four to six weeks for fun, laughter, food, and friendship. If you are new to the area, your friends have moved away, or you are just looking to get out and meet new people, then this is the group for you.

Erie/Niagara Single Seniors at Play (62+) meetup.com/buffalo-niagara-just-4- fun-62-plus

A great group of men and women, age 62 and over, plan events, both active and social, for the sole purpose of personal enjoyment. Includes activities like hiking, local canal cruises, wine tasting, art exhibits, museum tours, and so on. FY

Isabella Okun is a Buffalo Spree Publishing spring intern.