Manchester senior citizens attended the bowling event at Cape Ann Lanes on Wednesday, Feb. 5 along with the Manchester Council on Aging staff, Manchester Chief of Police Todd Fitzgerald, Manchester Police Sergeant Mark McCoy and Gloucester Health Director Karin Carroll. (Photo Courtesy Gloucester Health Department)
GLOUCESTER — Public Health Director Karin Carroll is pleased to share that seniors in Gloucester had the opportunity to go bowling, thanks to an event offered by the new Cape Ann Seniors on the GO Program.
Gloucester’s new Cape Ann Seniors on the GO program, launched in October, offers senior residents of Gloucester Housing Authority’s Clark, Lincoln, McPherson, Poplar and Sheedy neighborhoods access to healthy food and fitness opportunities. Through the program, seniors can sign up to ride an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant bus operated by Cape Ann Transit Authority to locations such as the Open Door Food Pantry, Cape Ann Farmers Market, grocery stores, Rose Baker Senior Center, Gloucester Boulevard for walking or a bowling alley.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Cape Ann Seniors on the Go brought seniors to the Cape Ann Lanes bowling alley to enjoy bowling, socializing, light snacks and refreshments provided by Cape Ann Lanes.
The event promoted physical activity and socialization for older adults from Cape Ann’s four communities. Seniors who attended the event were able to mingle and socialize with each other and special guests from the community. Special guests included: Mayor Sefatia Romeo Thekken, Gloucester and Manchester-by-the-Sea Police officers and Council on Aging members from the four Cape Ann communities, among others.
“Through our new initiative, Cape Ann Seniors on the GO, we’re able to provide seniors with the opportunity to interact with folks from the various Cape Ann communities while being active,” said Public Health Director Karin Carroll. “It’s a great way for low income older adults in our community to get together and enjoy each other’s company while doing fun activities, such as bowling.”
Seniors who attended the event also received goody bags with at-home gentle exercise guides geared towards older adults and a pamphlet from Cape Ann Lanes with information about the health benefits bowling has on your body such as respiratory fitness and increasing endurance.
Seniors were provided with transportation to and from Cape Ann Lanes through the Cape Ann Seniors on the GO bus in Gloucester and Rockport and the Manchester Council on Aging shuttle bus in Manchester and Essex.
