Johnny Wilson, who is Idyllwild Community Center’s Director of Programs and Recreation, gave a talk at the Library on December 4th about ICC’s recreation programs for seniors, in and out of Town Hall. The talk was hosted by Idy Elders and Others.

Wilson gave some of his own history. His children are fourth generation Idyllwilders, and many of his own formative experiences were in Town Hall Youth Sports. He gave a brief history of Town Hall, noting its construction by volunteers in 1947 on land donated by the Johnson family, its purchase and rehabilitation by Dave and Loie Butterfield and Tom Hawthorne, who then donated it to ICC, a 501(c)(3). ICC continues the local stewardship of the building and the tradition of Town Hall recreation. Primary funding comes from our County Service Area, CSA 36.

Wilson outlined ICC’s offerings tailored to the needs of elders. There is a weekly schedule of activities to help stay healthy and active, and social and cultural opportunities like the Fireside Senior Cabaret program. Other programs, like the Sunday Farmer’s Market and the monthly Feeding America food distribution, help elders (and others) stay healthy.

Fit After 50 is a free exercise class (donations welcome) supported by the Arthritis Foundation. The classes are Mondays and Fridays noon to 1p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11. The county-certified teachers are Ruth Martin and Deborah Martin (not related.)

Yoga for Seniors is taught by Gus Poletti. The classes are Mondays 4 to 5 p.m. and Fridays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Poletti also teaches Tai Chi Mondays 10:30 a.m. to 11:30. The yoga and Tai Chi classes cost $10, with monthly discounts available. Both activities are renowned for strengthening the body and calming the mind and helping avoid falls. Wilson said that Poletti’s motto is “If you can walk, you can do Tai-Chi.”

Although not age limited, ICC’s adult sport leagues attract many older Idyllwilders. In addition to seasonal sports like basketball (starts in January), volleyball, (just started) and softball (in summer), Wilson has introduced quarterly ping-pong tournaments. He noted that most of the ping-pong players were over 50, and a few very competitive octogenarians participated in the most recent tournament.

Recreation means more than exercise and sports. Fireside Senior Cabaret is a 12-week writing and singing storytelling workshop. The annual offering culminates in a fall public performance where each participant presents a piece paired with song, and the public is invited to gather around the Town Hall fireplace to enjoy the show. The workshop costs $50 includes 24 meetings, rehearsals and performance night.

Other free cultural events include the Summer Concert Series at the Butterfield Amphitheater, another venue which, like Town Hall, is available for rent from ICC.

ICC manages several other locations: the ICC kids’ playground adjacent to the unfinished new Community Center building, the skate park, the dog park, and the pickle ball court. This last is available dawn-to-dusk on a first come, first serve basis. If you don’t have a ball and paddles these can be rented from ICC. The library also has a set they lend out. You will have to call Town Hall to get the access code to the gate.

Wilson also highlighted the County’s Office on Aging as the place to call to find out what services are available for elders. They are “charged to provide leadership in developing a home and community-based, consumer-oriented system of services for older persons in Riverside County.” Their number is (877) 932-4100.

In response to a question about ICC staffing, Johnny said that in addition to himself the recreation program has a maintenance worker, the two Fit After 50 instructors, and Leo Rodriguez, director of children’s programs. The rest of the work is done by Board Members and volunteers. Wilson noted the many volunteer coaches and referees for the sports leagues, and the people who show up early to fill boxes for the Feeding America food distributions. Many of them are seniors, and volunteering is another therapeutic activity.

Another question was about the possibility of a dedicated Senior Center in Idyllwild. Although the new Community Center under construction will not be set aside for seniors, one member of the public expressed a desire for a separate facility where seniors would feel safer. This idea of a separate place for seniors was also floated at the Forest Folk forum with the Office on Aging at Harvey House in September.

For more information about ICC’s recreation programs for seniors and others call (951) 659-2638 or email info@idyllwildcommunitycenter.org. ICC also keeps a “shadow box” outside the Post Office where a schedule of events is posted.