Finding a Sweet Spark

Speed dating helps older adults meet new friends

By Julie E. Bloemeke

In October, Jodi Firestone hatched a plan that had been years in the making. She’s the community liaison for Somerby Senior Living and she decided to pull together a senior speed dating event at the Somerby location in Sandy Springs.

The gathering wasn’t really about dating or finding romance. The aim was to give these older adults an opportunity to meet new people and make new connections. Firestone was inspired in part by similar gatherings hosted by Vivienne Kurland, Program Coordinator for One Good Deed and Aviv Older Adult Services through Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta. Kurland was on hand to help out during Somerby’s event.

Around the room, small square tables were decorated with glass jars, filled to the brim with silver kiss candies. Balloons hovered above; two chairs sat across from one another in anticipation. A main table with finger food and drinks was flanked by vases of white roses.

Excited chatter and laughter took over as men and women found their seats. One participant bowed out early due to nerves.

As Firestone went over the rules for the event—10 tables, 10 partners to rotate, four minutes of conversation per round—she added a few pointers. Already the talk between pairs had taken off, and she had to pause a few times to make sure everyone understood how the process worked.

Although the flyer promoting the event sported the tagline, “Come to Mingle and Don’t

Leave Single!”, and while a few men confessed to Firestone that they hoped “to meet my next wife,” Kurland was quick to emphasize that this event “could be a friendship match.”

It’s about finding someone that might offer extra companionship, to add enrichment outside of family, children and grandchildren,” she said.

Each participant received a blank sheet to list names. If there was a spark, or a friendship connection, it should be indicated on the sheet, and if both sides match, there would be an exchange of contact information. No discussion of politics. Take time to listen.

As the timer began, icebreaker questions about hobbies and family filled the room. Some choose to be more creative, starting off with “If you were a wild animal, what animal would you be?”

As each table switched over, it became clear that the focus was not just on the participants, but on those watching the events from the side. As it turned out, the opportunity to “Rediscover Your Spark” was so popular that there was a waiting list. right

Edna Blackman, 83, and Patsy Day, 70, friends and both former residents of New York City, came to the event even though they knew they might not get to participate directly.

“We were coming to get a spot, but it’s not happening, not today,” Blackman said, watching from afar, “but still, it’s an interesting experience.” Neither had been to a speed dating activity and they were curious to see what it was like. Day laughed and said, “We’re here hanging out for fun, and because I hope to see someone else connect!”

Clearly enjoying the time together, they watched and predicted where they’d see “sparks flying” between the participants.

As the event came to a close, participants made notes and ruminated over who caught their attention. Later, as Firestone and Kurland gathered up the sheets, they were amazed to find wonderfully detailed observations.

One woman’s notes included phrases such as “Great guy. Credit to society.” And “Kind, blue eyes.”

As far as sparks? There were quite a few.

Maurice Shemper, 80, a Temple Sinai member who has lived in Atlanta since the late 1970s, said he definitely experienced a spark.

“I had a connection with two people—one was a huge connection—one of her friends is a woman I grew up with in Mississippi,” Shemper said. “I’ve already invited her to “The Color Purple” at the Fox Theatre next week.”

Cookie Shaffer, 80, a native Atlantan, also admitted she felt a few sparks. Most of the men she talked with asked her about her interests and where she was from. Her true hope after speed

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