By Sara Codair
A new generation of seniors, a more active and adventurous group than the one before it, has the Haverhill Council on Aging adjusting the programs and services it offers, according to directors.
"We are offering many more active programs such as golf clinics and Baby Boomer Bashes," said activities director Kathy Bresnahan.
Ted Murphy, owner of Murphy's Garrison Par 3 Golf Center at 660 Hilldale Ave., said last year the clinic averaged between 10 and 15 golfers a session.
"It's great exercise," said Murphy. "Golf is a game of life."
The clinic meets Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Agnes Desmet and her sister Lucille McKernan were among the first to attend this year's clinics. They said their goal is to improve their game.
May 7 was the beginning of the second year of clinics for 89-year-old Ed Alexander.
"I want to get on the senior tour," he joked.
For those who work during the day, the council has added night activities — Baby Boomer Bashes are the best example. There have been four so far. The fifth is planned for this summer with food, drinks, dancing and music from the '60s and '70s.
Just like everyone else, the Council on Aging has been affected by rising gas price and is adjusting its offerings accordingly.
"(High fuel prices) make the trips more expensive," said Bresnahan. "Many people live on a fixed income and a strict budget. If the trips cost more, they can't go to as many as they might want to."
The council is doing its best to adapt.
"It makes it a challenge; we have to try to find interesting trips that are not too far away," said Bresnahan. For example, one of the trips is a Duck Tour in Boston.
The council has been working with the Haverhill Recreation Department to plan intergenerational trips. The Duck Tour is one, and a trip to see the Lowell Spinners game is another.
The council has 75 tickets available at $2 each for a Spinners game in August. People provide their own transportation, but they can bring as many children and grandchildren as they want. Bresnahan expects it to be a big hit.
"We'll sell out by July," she predicted. "A lot of people will bring their families."
Bresnahan said people tend to like the intergenerational trips.
"It's always nice when different generations can relate to each other."
In addition to more adventurous local events, overnight trips are also changing. Two adventure trips planned for 2009 are to Peru and to the Napa Valley.
