Valley, Lanett and West Point are very fortunate to have three very active and well supported senior centers. Each one is a clean, safe and well-supervised place where those in the 60 and older age group can gather five days a week for a good meal, a chance to socialize with their peers and to have some fun.

They play cards or dominoes, put together puzzles, exercise and talk about their families. They also enjoy taking part in out-of-town outings.

Valley has one of the nicest senior centers anywhere. It opened in May 2018 as part of a $2.4 million expansion of Valley Community Center. It’s a showplace for such events as the District and State Masters Games.

This October Valley will play host to the annual State Games. Hundreds of seniors from all over Alabama will be here to enjoy each other’s company while having fun king part in the games. Valley has approximately 45 active participants coming to the center Monday through Friday.

Another 100 seniors who are home bound have meals delivered to their homes five days a week. Site Director Melissa Pitchford, along with the previous directors, plan special events for Valley seniors to take part in.

Those special events include the Masters Games competition, May Day at the Talladega SuperSpeedway and trips to restaurants are favorite activities. On the Friday before Mothers Day, women members are treated to a special day in their honor. The men have their special day on the Friday before Fathers Day.

Lanett seniors meet at the L.B. Sykes complex off Cherry Drive. The cafeteria area is a spacious place for the Monday through Friday meals, dominoes and cards.

There are big screen TVs for those who want to relax, and for those who want to get some exercise, the James A. Hardy gym is next door and reached by a covered walkway. This time of year there’s a pool outside for anyone adventuresome enough for a swim. Lanett’s 32 active members bring home lots of medals each year in District and State Masters Games competition.

They love being together for group events. On Saturday, June 15, the city treated them to hot dog lunch and free box fans at the second annual Senior Citizens’ Appreciation Day.

It’s something the city didn’t have to do but did because city officials have their priorities in order. Tammy Hollis is doing a good job in running the program.

The Troup County Commission and the United Way are supportive of the Active Life programs in Troup County. The City of West Point also plays a big part in the West Point program, which meets five days a week in Technology Park.

Members are there from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There’s a very busy quilting group, and the men like to play pool and ride an exercise bike in an activity room.

West Point seniors recently took trips to Fun Park in Albany and to SunTrust Park in Atlanta to take in a Braves game.

They also take part in group events with their fellow seniors at the Active Life Center in LaGrange. Zelma Brock, the director, has them doing fun things on a regular basis.

The senior programs in Valley, Lanett and West Point have active programs that help our seniors have an enjoyable lifestyle in their golden years. Each one has room to grow.

Anyone in the 60 and older age group who lives in one of our three cities and not taking part in a senior program should consider joining.

“It’s a good program,” Lanett Mayor Kyle McCoy said at Saturday’s Senior Appreciation Day. “And it’s free.”

Now, that’s hard to beat.