Find enjoyable at Community Connection in Baker City

You can get lunch, play pinochle, line dance, study tai chi and extra

BAKER CITY — Community Connection buzzes with exercise most days of the week in Baker City.

You can play pool, line dance, be part of stretch and flex, or observe tai chi to enhance stability.

You can be part of pinochle, or play bingo, or select from a wide range of video games stocked on the middle, 2810 Cedar St.

You may even store for some new garments.

“It’s a wonderful place. There’s so much to do here,” JoAnn Illingsworth stated.

The middle sees about 200 people every month collaborating in numerous actions, stated Joe Hayes, county operations supervisor.

Illingsworth is an everyday at pinochle.

“In the summertime, we’re here until 6 in the evening. We’re dyed-in-the-wool card players,” she stated.

When Illingsworth isn’t enjoying pinochle or calling bingo, she will typically be discovered sorting donations within the Klothes Kloset, the place most objects are priced at $2 — aside from coats, that are $5.

“A little bit of everything,” she stated of the stock.

The Klothes Kloset is open for procuring from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and proceeds assist the middle’s diet program, which serves midday meals 5 days per week.

Those who need just a little train can be part of the road dancing group on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1 p.m. With 150 songs of their catalog, the group can observe a wide range of dances each week. No companion is required.

“It’s a good excuse to dance — without a man,” Linda Lively stated with amusing.

Tai chi

Tai chi for stability, on Tuesday mornings, is a bit calmer than line dancing as Esa Murrell leads the group via light, scripted workouts.

First is the nice and cozy up, then they transfer via eight varieties (particular actions) of tai chi.

Tai chi originates from Chinese martial arts with flowing actions and deep respiration.

“This is basic, very fundamental,” Murrell stated of the category, which continues via March 31.

Chairs can be found for additional stability.

Mark Hadley, 64, had a stroke 4 years in the past.

“It took my balance,” he stated.

Two years after that occasion, he joined tai chi. Now he takes Murrell’s courses each at Community Connection and the Baker Family YMCA.

“I’m walking faster and farther,” he stated. “I’m a big believer in it.”

Frank Rasmussen, 93, has practiced tai chi for 2 years for “the exercise and movement.”

Weekly schedule

Here’s a take a look at the weekly actions. All are open to new members. All are free aside from bingo.

Also, the pool room is open, with a donation can that helps with sustaining the tables.

• Stretch & Flex: Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.
• Line dancing: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
• Tai Chi for Balance: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
• Bingo: Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Cost varies from $5, $7 or $10. This cash goes right into a pot, and is split for money prizes and to assist middle applications.
• Pinochle: Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
• Choice of video games (dominoes, cribbage, Hand & Foot, California Rummy, and many others.): Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.

Lunch on the middle

Many actions comply with the every day lunch, which is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Seniors can eat for a recommended donation of $6, and the associated fee is $8.50 for non-seniors or $6 for these youthful than 12.

The middle serves about 1,400 meals every month, Hayes stated.

Find the menu at https://ccno.org/baker-county-community-center/.

Need a experience?

Community Connection presents a free every day bus route in Baker City.

The service operates Monday via Friday from 7:45 a.m. to five:15 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to five:15 p.m. All days embody a break for lunch from midday to 1 p.m.

The bus is named a “deviated fixed route,” which suggests it travels alongside fastened factors at particular occasions, however also can deviate its course between two stops to an area that has been scheduled upfront. To schedule a deviation, name 541-523-7433 earlier than 3 p.m. the day earlier than you want a experience.

Riders also can flag down the motive force anyplace alongside the route. Find a schedule of stops at https://ccno.org/public-transit/baker-city-bus-route/.