Green River seniors enjoy the year

Members of the Golden Hour Senior Center sewing group kicked off 2018 by stopping by the Sweetwater County Child Developmental Center's Green River facility to donate 120 hats they made for the children.

In February, Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center learned a new type of artwork called decoupage. Decoupage is nothing more than a slight of hand. When done correctly, it gives one the impression that something was hand painted, but in reality it's glued on paper and sometimes coated with lacquer.

In April, more than 80 volunteers were honored at the GHSC during a luncheon.

In May, a friendly game of UNO quickly turned into a competition when two $25 Visa gift cards were on the line. The seniors liked the game so much they asked for it to become a monthly activity.

Throughout the year, senior music lovers spend their Monday afternoons playing new and old songs during weekly jam sessions. Sometimes there's a big group and other times only a few show up. Regardless of the number, the jam session is always fun for those who attend.

When GHSC patrons weren't busy playing games or sewing, they were making crafts. They made all sorts of crafts from sun catchers and clocks to CD tricycles and wooden skewer mirrors.

In July, GHSC visitors tried painting rocks. Some weren't sure about it, but quickly realized how much fun it could be. Activities and marketing coordinator Irish Kreis is always looking for new and fun things for the seniors to do. She said the rock painting idea was stolen from 307 Rocks, which is a local group that paints rocks, hides them and encourages others to and them, take a photo of them and post it to their Facebook page. The seniors hid the rocks throughout the building for other seniors to find. However, most seniors wanted to keep the rocks they painted.

In August, CRRC residents visited the Sweetwater County Fair to see everything the fair had to offer. A total of 19 residents from the center and The Villa went to the fair with the help of the Green River Wolf Pack Dance Team. One of the CRRC residents favorite part of the fair was the petting zoo. Their second favorite part was the food.

In Septemeber, GHSC executive director Sheela Schermetzler announced her retirement. Schermetzler said she was ready to move onto the next chapter in her life.

In October, GHSC beginning painters had the opportunity to take an eight-week long beginners paintings course from Pam Edens. Over the course of eight weeks, the participants will have painted eight pieces, including reworks over Castle Rock, a realistic pumpkin, autumn splendor, Expedition Island, ghosts at play and a pathway into the woods.

At the end of October residents at CRRC were surprised when horses stopped by for them to pet and feed. About 15 residents went outside to interact with the horses.

In November, CRRC residents participated in the turkey shoot. Residents were encouraged to shoot balloons with turkey drawn on them with Nerf guns.

The GHSC sewing group wrapped up the year by making more than 80 blankets. These blankets were hand delivered to homebound residents who usually receive home-delivered meals.