think I just figured out my next karaoke

“Do you think it’s time for the trick shot now, Ray?” –Dennis Swain speaking to his 97-year-old teammate Ray, as the Town Shores Embassy building battled the Nottingham building in bocce ball

“When are the pickleball courts at Chase Park going to be finished?” –Mike Bauer at the Gulfport Rec Center’s indoor pickleball court waiting for the next game with 15 others as pickleball becomes the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with

36.5 million participants, beating basketball, golf, and tennis

“Acceptance.” –Patricia Hayman’s response when asked her favorite thing about Gulfport

“Maybe we can do a weekly lottery for who gets the police called on them the most?” –Dick Taylor talking about Tap House’s third birthday party, where the police showed up for a noise complaint

“In a city so involved with its benches, I hope they have plenty of covered benches. They could even make them green!” –Flora Brandt talking about the new Chase Park pickleball courts in Gulfport

“Right after I got out of prison, we headed straight to this beach.” –Charlotte Tugwell at Sunset Beach looking for the Green Comet, talking about being stuck at home after surgery

Gulfport Senior Center 5501 27th

Ave.

S. • 727-893-5657 • /gulfportseniorcenter

Annual registration required. Free, residents; $50, non-residents. All programs subject to change without notice. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Fri, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by, join our weekly newsletter, or like us on Facebook for a full calendar of events.

Fitness Center now open! To provide physical distancing, the hourly capacity is limited. You must call to pre-register.

Supplemental food assistance for qualifying Gulfport Seniors in need is available at the Senior Center. Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Proper verification required prior to use of the pantry.

GEMS (Gulfport Extended Mobility Service) provides affordable Door-to-Door transportation service, rides to medical appointments, shopping, and much more for Gulfport residents, 55 years of age or older or disabled. 727-893-2242.

Medical Equipment Lending Program provides gently used wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other medical equipment to seniors who need it. Supplies limited.

Special Events

Medicare & Health Insurance Assistance

Frustrated trying to navigate the insurance world? We have you covered! Make your appointment today.

Memory Screenings Worried about your memory? St. Anthony’s Memory Disorder Clinic offers free & confidential memory screenings.

SNAP Benefit Assistance Feeding Tampa Bay will meet with you to help you apply for SNAP benefits.

Gulfcoast Legal Assistance Do you need assistance, with lifetime planning docs, Medicaid/Medicare issues, Social Security issues, food stamp issues, family law issues, consumer/debt collection Issues, or housing/contract Issues? Call to make an appointment with a legal representative. By appointment only.

EPIC Coffee Connections EPIC Generations invites LGBTQ+ adults for coffee, friendship, & support. Feb. 24, 10 a.m.

Movie Matinee Take a break from the hustle & bustle and enjoy a movie on the big screen. Call for movie title. Feb. 24, 1 p.m.

Ballroom Dance Lessons Led by Larry, you are bound to learn the ropes with this 5-week class. MUST Pre-register. D Hall, Mondays, 5:30 p.m.

Poetry Workshop A four-week course offered by Keep St. Pete Lit. Participants will have the opportunity to perform their poems at a special reading open to the community. Rm 106, Mar. 1, 10:30 a.m.

Veterans Coffee Connection Veterans of all service eras are invited to gather for coffee, support, friendship & to learn about available community resources. Rm 106, Mar. 3, 10 a.m.

Gulfport ROCKS! Join the party and create some fun rock art. All supplies provided. MUST Pre-register. Sponsored by Moore Medicare Options. Rm 106, Mar. 3, 1 p.m.

Art Show Join the Advanced Senior Artist during their art show as they share their work from 2022. D Hall, Mar. 3, 6 p.m.

Wisdom Healing Qigong Heal yourself naturally from any chronic conditions or illness that you may have with the Wisdom Healing Qigong. Th Lobby, Mondays, 11 a.m.

HCA Lunch & Learn: Hernias Over 5 million people in the US suffer from a hernia. What is a hernia? How to live with it? When to make a change and how to fix it? D Hall, Mar. 7, 2 p.m.

Health Talk with Labrador Primary Dr. McCoy provides valuable information and useful tips. Rm 107, Mar. 9, 12 p.m.

Welcome to the Club Come meet the Crew at this informative based meeting to welcome new members to the Senior Center.

Rm 107, Mar. 9, 2 p.m.

Rhythm & Groove Jam Session Bring your instrument & join others for a casual jamming group. Open to anyone & everyone, all instruments, all levels of experience, & listeners. D Hall. Mar. 9, 3 p.m.

Gems Getaways

Call (727) 893-2242 to find out this month’s Getaway destinations

Mondays

Monday Mile Walking Club 8 a.m., call for location

Spanish Conversation 8:30 a.m., Room 107

Chair Exercise/Yoga 9:30 a.m., Theater Lobby

Spanish for Beginners 10 a.m., Room 107

Stretch & Strength 10 a.m., Casino

Wisdom Healing Qigong 11 a.m., Theater Lobby

Mahjong 12 p.m., Room 107

Dominos 1 p.m., Theater Lobby

Strength Training & Aerobics 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall

Chair Volleyball 3 p.m., Dining Hall

TUESDAYS

Gulfport Senior Citizens Harmonica Club

9 a.m., Room 107

Line Dancing for Beginners 10 a.m.,

Neighborhood Center

Tai Chi 10 a.m., Casino

Gulfport Quilting Club 10 a.m., Room 106

Texas Hold ‘Em 11 a.m., Theater Lobby

Contract Bridge 1:30 p.m., Theater Lobby

New Horizons Band of Gulfport Jazz Practice 4:30 p.m., Dining Hall

New Horizons Band of Gulfport Concert Practice 6 p.m., Dining Hall

WEDNESDAYS

Senior Moments 8:30 a.m., Room 107

Gentle Mindful Yoga 10 a.m., Neighborhood Center

Investment Discussion Group 10 a.m., Room 107

Stretch & Strength 10 a.m., Casino

Bunco 10:30 a.,m., Theater Lobby

Widowing Tribe 12:30 p.m., Room 107

Canasta 1 p.m., Theater Lobby

Bingo 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall

Intermediate Spanish 6 p.m., Room 106

Cardio Drumming 5:30 p.m., Dining Hall

Gulfport Toastmasters 6 p.m., Room 107

THURSDAYS

Guided Meditation 10 a.m., Room 107

Tai Chi 10 a.m., Casino

Stretch & Strength 10 a.m., Casino

Texas Hold ‘Em 11 a.m., Theater Lobby

Contract Bridge 1:30 p.m., Theater Lobby

Strength Training & Aerobics 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall

Italian Language Classes 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., various rooms

Fridays

Wellness Movement 9 a.m., Room 106

Beginners’ Yoga 9 a.m., Casino

Gulfport Writers’ Workshop 9:30 a.m., Room 107

Knitting & Crocheting 10 a.m., Theater Lobby

Chair Yoga 10:30 a.m., Casino

Bridge Instruction 12:30 p.m., Room 107

Dominos 1 p.m., Theater Lobby

Chair Volleyball 1:30 p.m., Dining Hall

Catherine Hickman Theater 727-893-1070 • 5501 27th Ave. S.

Nan Colton as Mina Miller Edison FMI: 727-893-1244. Sun., Feb. 26, 4 p.m. Tickets $20 at Senior Center Foundation Office, Beach Bazaar, or eventbrite.com

Colleen Orender Nashville recording artist. FMI: 727-893-1244. Sat., Mar. 4, 7 p.m. Tickets $30 general admission / $45 premium at Senior Center Foundation Office, Beach Bazaar, or eventbrite.com

AARP Tax-Aide Free, individualized tax preparation for low-to moderate-income taxpayers. Call 727-755-3112 to request an appointment. There will be no walkin tax preparation. You will need to bring your important documents to the site. For everyone's safety masks are required. Call 1-888-687-2277 for additional information or visit https://www.aarp.org/ money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/. Mondays & Fridays, 10 a.m.

Baby Time For children two and younger and their caregivers with infants & young toddlers. Older siblings also welcome. Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m.

Teen Space Spend time with friends and make new ones. Play games, make art, watch movies, or just hang out. Activities vary – and what we do is up to you! Ages 12-18 only. Tuesdays, 4 p.m.

Storytime Join us for stories, rhymes, music. Thursdays, 10:15 & 11 a.m.

Garden Grandpa If you have little ones in grades K-5, join us the first Wednesday of the month in the Reading Garden. Mr. Albert will share his knowledge of gardening and sustainability through storytelling and hands-on fun. Mar. 1, 4 p.m. Come & Go Craft Drop in for creative, self-directed crafting. For all ages, but some pieces might be on the small side. Supplies are limited and are on a first come, first served basis. Crafting located on children’s area tables. Mar. 4, 10 a.m. Grown-Up Movie Series One of the greatest musical icons and composers of her time, Lydia Tár, leads a prestigious orchestra in Berlin. Making history as the first female conductor in Germany, she must live up to her name as she records her latest symphony. Rated R. Call 727893-1074 for title. Mar. 4, 1 p.m.

Get Growing City horticulturist, Toffer Ross, answers all your questions about gardening, trees, and landscaping in Florida. Mar. 8, 11 a.m.

STEAM Club STEAM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Recommended for Grades K-5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Mar. 8, 4 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Wreath Use burlap, green felt,a nd embellishments to make festive door wreaths. Registration required and opens Mar. 2; call 727-8931074 or email library.programs@mygulfport.us to sign up. Mar. 9, 2 p.m.

SHINE Presentation: Medicare Basics

Presentation on Medicare Parts A, B, C, & D and what they mean to you. FMI, visit www.floridashine.org. Mar. 15, 1 p.m.

Gulfport Book Club Discuss “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac. Available as print and audio. Mar. 16, 2 p.m.

Gulfport Casino Ballroom 727-893-1070 • 5500 Shore Blvd. S.

Tardi Gras A benefit for the Enroy Foundation, Inc. Live music, door prizes, costume contest, food-to-order by Tiki Bar & Grille. Feb. 24: 7 p.m., $15.

Contra Dance with Tampa Friends of Old Time Dance Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m., Contra lesson; 4 p.m., dancing with band & caller. tampabaycontra.com. $10 admission

Annual registration: $3; $25, nonresidents

Pickleball

Intermediate and advanced Mon., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Beginners Tues., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

All levels Tues., 6-8:30 p.m. and Thurs., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Adult Basketball Wed. & Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thurs., 6-8:30 p.m.

Table Tennis Tues. & Thurs., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Game Room Mon., Wed., & Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Programs

School Year Child Care Program Registration continues for the 2022-23 school year child care program for kids entering kindergarten through age 14. Bus transportation available from Pasadena Fundamental, Gulfport Montessori, and Douglas Jamerson Elementary. Program runs until 5:30 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. for

Ballroom Dance with USA Dance DJ and dance hosts, plus a lesson. Feb. 27, 7 p.m. $10; $7, USA Dance members, $10 non-members

Casino Weekly Dances

Ballroom Lessons: Tues., 12 p.m. $15 / $25 couples

Argentine Tango: Tues., 6:30 p.m., $10

Swing: Weds., 7 p.m. $10

Latin Night: Thurs., 7 p.m. $10 an extra charge. Please contact the Recreation Center for more details.

Teen Night! Registrations continue for the 2022-2023 Teen Night Program for teens in middle and high school, students 17 and younger. Recreation, social activities, field trips, cooking projects, guest speakers and service projects. Teens can use the gymnasium, game room and outdoor area. Mon., Wed., & Fri.: 6-9 p.m. Rec Center membership required: $3; $25, nonresidents.

Classes

Call instructor for more information. Want to teach a class? Call Jami: 727893-1079.

Ballet Tues., 5:45 p.m., ages 5-7; 6:45 p.m. intermediate ballet, ages 8-16. $40/month. Lisa: 727-742-2594.

Tap Tues., 7:45 p.m., intermediate. $20/ month. Lisa: 727-742-2594

Essentrics Toning Thurs., 9 a.m. $40/ month. Lauren: 248-875-7030

Danskinetics Tues., 10 a.m. $6/class or $20/month. Carol: 845-654-0609

Hatha Yoga Wed., 6:15 p.m. $12/class or $40/month. Denise: 727-251-8868.

Nia Mon., 10 a.m. $15/class, $40/month. Christine: 727-692-1896

Youth Hip Hop Fri., 6:30 p.m., ages 7-9; 7:30 p.m., ages 9-16. $40/month. Lisa: 727742-2594.

Hula Hoop Fitness Second & fourth Thursday, 6:30 p.m. $10/class. Maria: mestrada1987@gmail.com

Tai Chi Gung Mon. 6:30p.m. and Fri. 10 a.m. $15/class or $50/month. Call Kare 727-2620880

Zumba Thurs., 6 p.m., $6/class, $20/ month. Magda: 727-214-7868.