by June Portnoy
A large group of people competing in bocce, football, corn hole, Frisbee, and other fun games for medals during the summer might sound like camp for children and teens, but during June 5th through June 11th in Bucks County, this athletic event was far from that.
In fact, the youngest person there was 50! That’s because these activities were offered during the 41st Annual Bucks County Senior Games (BCSG).
Over 400 seniors were broken up into different age ranges consisting of 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, 80 to 89, and 90 plus. This year, the two oldest participants were 96.
The 2024 Senior Games included over 20 events in all levels of abilities at various locations throughout the county.
The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) and Bucks County Parks and Recreation hosted these games to fulfill the BCSG’s mission, which is to bring awareness to the importance of staying physically and socially active at every age and stage of life.
Katy Meyerson, MSW, MFA, BCAAA Information Specialist Supervisor said, “Seniors benefit by participating in these games because it gives them the chance to play, learn new skills, compete, meet friends, and be outside.”
According the Katy, bocce was this year’s most popular game followed by corn hole and then golf.
She stressed that the games chosen by seniors are based more on their physical ability then their age. For example, this year’s oldest competitor participated in the long jump. “Provided their doctors say that they are capable of participating in an event, these seniors can go for it.”
Some people participated this year for the first time, while others return every year, and they each have different reasons for coming out to these games.
Louise Hartmen from Buckingham enjoyed playing corn hole at Bucks County Community College’s gymnasium in Newtown. She has been to the Senior Games several times. “I keep coming back because it’s a lot of fun. I especially enjoy the walks in the park. There are so many parks that I would never have known existed had I not come to this event.”
Her friend Tom Comteggion, also from Buckingham, added, “These games are great because it gets people our age out and moving.”
Linda Stone, from Richboro, and Dennis Annarelli, from Newtown, have been friends for many decades and were once racquetball partners.
This year they played corn hole.
“This is our first year at the Senior Games,” said Linda, “We are recently retired so we have more time on our hands, and this seemed like something fun to do.”
Ray Gritton, from Yardley and a former physical education teacher said, “I like seeing that all these people are still active years after their prime.”
Jeff Hoffman, from Levittown, came to meet new people his age, and Doug Longden, from Langhorne, emphasized how friendly and outgoing most of the people at these Senior Games are.
Ross Birnbaum, from Yardley, was very enthusiastic about all the billiard tables at the Northampton Township James E. Kinney Senior Center in Richboro.
This was his 3rd year playing pool at the Senior Games. “This is great competition for older people, said Ray.
Dale Carlen from Hatboro also came to play pool. “I used to play pool when I was 16 years old so this is exactly what I used to do when I was young. To me, this is not a senior center, but it’s the teen club I remember from my youth.”
Sally Gosti, from Gloria Dei Plaza in Newtown, also returned to her youth at the Senior Games when she played bocce. “I grew up playing bocce when I was a little girl, and I still enjoy it,” said Gosti, age 95, who joked that she has very little competition in her age category, which means she usually ends up winning.
The BCAAA’s mission is to develop, coordinate, and promote a continuum of quality services that supports, respects, and advocates for older adults and their families; empowers them to maintain independence and dignity; and enhances their overall well-being.
The Senior Games serve many purposes of the BCAAA such as supporting seniors’ overall (physical, emotional, social) well-being, encouraging independence, empowering and inspiring, and connecting seniors to the BCAAA as a contact for a range of services.
For more information about the BCAAA, visit https://buckscounty.gov/231/Aging.