GR seniors attend party before the football game

Green River seniors were getting ready for the big game Friday.

During the Golden Hour Senior Center's regular lunch, prizes were given out and seniors enjoyed a Super Bowl themed lunch.

GHSC Activities Coordinator Megan Brown said throughout the entire NFL football season, the center hosts a pool. The winners of that pool received a reusable grocery bag with their favorite team's logo on it.

Last year, Brown handed out key chains, but thought the grocery bags would be used more.

Brown said those who won more than one week, automatically had their names put in for a raffle. The raffle prize was a cooler shaped like a football filled with essential game day items, including chips, plates, napkins, corn-cob holders, a football-shaped glass, a stuffed-burger press and a ketchup and mustard gun dispenser.

It is less than 20 pounds and comes with a carrying case, much like a portable camping chair. Brown wanted to make sure the cooler was filled with things residents could use at a Super Bowl party.

"They already love football. This gives them a reason to celebrate and show their pride," Brown said.

As for the lunch, residents ate fried chicken wings, baked beans, potato salad and football-shaped cookies.

"This is actually quite a few people for a Friday," Brown said.

One resident stood out above the rest when it came to success in the football pools. With five pool wins, Mike Martinez earned four free tickets in the raffle and a grocery bag.

His secret -- knowing what's going on with the teams.

"I read up on it a lot," Martinez said. "Who was winning and losing."

Yet, he was the first to admit that there is still no way to know.

"If you win one or two, you're doing good," Martinez said.

Martinez' favorite team is the Broncos, which worked out well for him this year since he doesn't pick against his team.

"I usually go with the team," he said. "Even when the game is going to be close. I don't think I've picked against them all year."

With food in their tummies and prizes in some of their hands, the residents were ready for the big drawing. After an impromptu drum roll the winner was announced. It was Barb Brown, Megan's mother. Barb decided to give the cooler to a group of residents from the Mission at Castle Rock Villa. They were going to have a Super Bowl party and were happy to have it.