Have you ever started a simple project only to discover it was overwhelming? That is what happened with me in writing this particular column. I wanted to write about activities for senior citizens in Sequim and ended up being bombarded with information.
Sequim has so many varied activities for seniors, and for everyone else, that I could write a book on the subject.
Recently Kathy Barnes Hamilton shared with me how when she first moved to Sequim, Ross Hamilton told her, “Sequim could club you to death.” There are countless clubs and activities in the area, enough to keep a person active for a lifetime.
Since the length of this column is limited, I can post only a few of the available activities and organizations. First, I want to define a senior-friendly activity for our younger readers. The three main factors which define senior-friendly activities are the activity must be affordable, the activity must have a low physical impact, and the activity should happen during the day or early evening hours. Older seniors do not drive at night. Since we get more sunshine and less rain it gets dark later, allowing seniors to stay out longer.
While the focus of this column is seniors, the activities listed have no age limit, and everyone is welcome.
Arts, crafts, dancing, exercises, computer help and more: Shipley Center, 360-683-6806, www.shipleycenter.org
Audubon Society: The Dungeness River Center offers many activities including morning bird walks, 360-681-4076, dungenessrivercenter.org
Camera Club, free: Held in the chapel at Dungeness Community Church on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, starting at 6 p.m., 45 Eberle Lane, 360-683-7333
Colonial Re-enactments: colonialfestival.wordpress.com
Documentary Movie, free: Held at the Peninsula Evangelical Friends Church on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 6 p.m. May’s movie will be “The Privileged Planet” and discusses Earth’s position in the cosmos. A meal of soups and breads is provided, North Barr Road, Port Angeles, 360-452-9105
Friends of the Sequim Library, free: President Kate Adams said the group welcomes new volunteers, 360-683-1161
Literary Readings, free: Held at The Lodge on the fourth Friday of every month starting at 6 p.m. Local writers read samples of their writing, all are welcome to participate, 660 Evergreen Farm Way, 360-681-3100.
Oral Storytelling: Story People of Clallam County https://www.clallamstorypeople.org/home-2/
Parks and Trails, free: There are many easy trails in Sequim. The Discovery Trail, Railroad Bridge Park and Robin Hill Park have trails which are wheelchair accessible.
Middle-Ages Re-enactments: Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) in Clallam County. www.antir.org
National Parks: When a person turns 62 years old he or she is eligible to purchase a life-time pass for the national parks. The cost is now $80 but it is my understanding the pass covers everyone in the vehicle. Inquire at the Hurricane Ridge Ranger Station, 360-565-3130
Spontaneous Writing Opportunities, free: Held at the Sequim Library on the third Monday of every month, starting at 9:30 a.m. This is open to everyone, regardless of skill level. Contact Heidi Hansen, 360-477-5322
For additional opportunities check out these resources:
Sequim Library: 360-683-1161, www.nols.org/sequim-branch-library
Sequim Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center: 800-737-8462, www.visitsunnysequim.com
Sequim Gazette: www.sequimgazette.com
Sequim Prairie Grange: www.grange.org/sequimprairiewa1108/contact-information-2
Yes, Sequim is indeed a fun senior-friendly place and please remember the above lists are only partial lists of countless available opportunities.
Feel free to email me with your favorite group or activity and I will gladly add it to the bottom of future columns, thank you, Crystal Linn: information@crystallinn.com.
Crystal Linn is a multi-published author and an award-winning poet. Since moving to the northeast Olympic Peninsula in 2015, she has been actively involved in creating new opportunities for local authors. She looks forward to connecting with even more writers and readers living in this area. When not writing or teaching workshops, Linn enjoys reading a good mystery, hiking and sailing with friends and family.
