Thurmont Senior Center

by Kristen Bodmer

Words of advice from the Senior Center to all those who are starting back to school:

To ALL students returning to school, If, you see any of the following: (1) A student struggling to make friends; (2) A student being picked on; (3) A student who is new, shy, or not with the “in crowd”; (4) A student who is eating lunch alone, be a leader, be a warrior. Say “Hello.” Smile at them. Ask if you can sit with them; include them. You never know what a person is facing, inside or outside of school. Have a great 2025-2026 school year.

Summer is coming to an end, and we are ready to welcome the fall season with the beautiful leaves changing colors and the crisp breezes blowing. We will be spending time together laughing and playing games, and we would love for you to come join us.

September is full of activities. Take the opportunity to take a look at the calendar of events we have scheduled. You can find our calendar on the website at thurmontseniorcenter.org, on Facebook, or come into the center and ask for one. Also check out the Community Calendar in this issue.

Don’t forget, we serve lunch every day at noon. If you are not able to stay, you can pick up your lunch. We have quite a few people who pick up lunch from the center now. Just remember to call the day before or by 9:15 a.m. the morning of the day you would like to pick up your lunch.

August was a fun-filled month. We had two exciting bingo’s this month. We would love for you to join us for some fun and fellowship. We have a free balance and strength exercise session daily, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. We play Pinochle on Tuesday, play Bingo every first and third Wednesday of the month (if there is a fifth Wednesday, we hold an extra Bingo). It is always a fun time, full of laughter and special homemade treats for halftime. We are told our coffee here at Thurmont Senior Center is the best! Come in and share a cup with us. On Fridays, we have Zumba and Poker. Marie Free comes the third Thursday of the month and offers chair massage, which are $1.00 a minute. The third Friday of the month, we celebrate all the birthdays of the month. We have birthday cake, ice cream, and we even have some pizza. We would also like to remind everyone that we have a whole corner dedicated to exercise: two treadmills and a recumbent bicycle, all for use during our hours, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There is no charge to use this equipment.

August also brought a “See ya later.” Ruth Heaney’s last day was August 1. Ruth was the assistant coordinator and leader of the Balance and Strength class. She was a big part of the senior center and will be missed. We didn’t say “Goodbye,” just “See ya later.” But don’t worry, the exercise class is still alive and thriving. We had volunteers step up. Karen Younkins and Pastor Sally Joyner Giffin have taken over teaching, and they are doing a great job. We have continued to have as many as 24 in class.

As I type this Senior Moments, I am typing the last one of my times here at the center. I can’t put into words exactly how fortunate I feel to have been the coordinator of the Thurmont Senior Center. We have an amazing center. I have laughed and cried with everyone. We have been through a lot, and I am thankful for it all. I only hope that as time goes on, the center continues to grow. There are still so many people that don’t think the center is for them, I promise, if you come in and give it a chance, you will find laughter and friendship here. I am planning on being here for activities as well. So, to everyone, this is not “Goodbye,” it is just “See ya later.” I love each and everyone of you, and I am blessed to call you friends.

Ruth Heaney’s last day with her exercise class.