ORANGE PARK — In the inner heart of the town lies a hidden gem on Stowe Avenue. 

A place to be comfortable, at peace and young at heart.

"It's just a place for them to go every day and a reason to get out of bed," said Orange Park Senior Center Supervisor Cara Hamill.

The first female mayor of Orange Park Edna Greenewald officially cut the ribbon to the center on July 2, 1994. The center is one out of four in Clay County, including the Weigel Senior Center in Middleburg, the Clayton and Mildred Revels Senior Center in Green Cove Springs, and the Keystone Heights Senior Center.

For 31 years, Orange Park seniors 60 and up have enjoyed a place to boogie to their favorite songs, play a friendly game of bridge, enjoy live entertainment, sing their hearts out during karaoke and simply get active —take line dancing and clog.

Hamill said there is plenty for members to get involved in.

"A lot of them, the relatives tell me all they did was sit home and watch "Leave it to Beaver" and "Rawhide". Didn't do anything, didn't move around. And now they look forward to getting up," she said. 

To get involved or join the center, contact 904-269-4731.

CLAY TODAY ARCHIVES

Hamill, who joined the center in 2005, said she was initially a bingo caller. She had brought her mother from Texas, when she said the one scheduled didn't show.

"I'd never called bingo before, but I said, 'Well, I'll call bingo.' So, I did. And then I called bingo for eight years as a volunteer. Because mom wanted to play bingo."

Hamill became the manager, and eventually the supervisor when Aging True took the reins 13 years ago.

Bingo is one of the many activities that Hamill said the center still offers to this day. Other programs and activities she said members can look forward to including, tai chi classes, arts and crafts, live entertainment, nutritious snacks and a hot lunch at noon every day. 

For 31 years, Orange Park seniors 60 and up have enjoyed a place to boogie to their favorite songs, play a friendly game of bridge and even enjoy live entertainment.

CLAY TODAY ARCHIVES

New friends, new bonds and a place for everlasting memories are another plus.

Greenewald, 91, is still a member to this day, along with a group of seven other wise women Hamill likes to call the Young at Heart: 90's plus club:  Dee Talty (92), Fay Colmar (95), Shirley Park (96), Inez Williams (90), Betty Taylor (95), Sandra Balestracci (91) and Ruthie Nolte (95).

Whether driving themselves to the center or hitching a ride, the ladies always find a way to get there. Rich history, backgrounds and interests, all the women revel in getting the opportunity to share and learn. 

Take Balestracci, who during a roundtable told the women of her times as a former showgirl in Fort Lauderdale. They called her the glamour queen.

"We had rehearsals twice a week, and then we had a show once a month," she said.

Or Talty, who has been at the Senior Center for 15 years. Talty stays active as a pet therapy volunteer for the Clay County Humane Society and Community Hospice/Palliative Care.

Whether it's the little things like walking around the house and cleaning, or the big things like driving themselves or exercising, they said they are at the age where celebrating everything you do is key.

"If they don't stay active both in body and mind, they're going to age a lot quicker," Hamill said. 

It's the little things at the Orange Park Senior Center that make up the big wins in life.