When you think about a senior center, you might think the activities it offers include quilting, bingo and card games. But at the Green Bank Senior Center, thereﾒs a little more excitement with the help of a Nintendo Wii.

On most days, youﾒll find a gathering of people by the television the moment you walk in the door. Laughter, cheers and a few good spirited jabs can be heard as four players line up to take their turn on the Wii bowling game.

As the scores are racked up, they resemble those of pro bowlers who make a living at perfecting the game.

ﾓI really enjoy it. Itﾒs relaxing and a good game,ﾔ Sylvia Thompson said. ﾓItﾒs good exercise. The other day I got 299. They couldnﾒt get me to play for a long time but now I have one at home and we enjoy it.ﾔ

Thompson and her husband, Jake, have become the ringers to beat when the game is fired up for play.

ﾓTwo years ago they got this in and he [Jake] and I were the first to play and then we got the women to play and his wife started playing,ﾔ Tony Byrd said. ﾓShe didnﾒt play at first because she has really bad arthritis but she started playing and fell in love with it.ﾔ
Byrd explained that itﾒs a great game for the seniors to enjoy.

ﾓItﾒs competitive and it still is not over competitive,ﾔ he said. ﾓSome of the games you play, like golf, you really try too hard, but here, you really just throw the ball, relax and have fun.ﾔ

Many of the seniors who love to play have surprised themselves with how much they enjoy the game.

ﾓI never thought I would enjoy a video game and now Iﾒve turned into a bowling queen,ﾔ Kes Pritchard said.

Along with camaraderie and excitement, the seniors are getting a workout from the bowling. Pritchard said she noticed sore muscles in her bowling arm when she first started playing. Sylvia said the arthritis in her right hand isnﾒt as bad as it was prior to her playing.

The bowlers at the senior center are not an exclusive club. Chances are, if you walk in during a game and you show a little interest, youﾒll be playing in the next round. The ringers are always standing by to give tips and the peanut gallery will be there just in case you bowl less than a 200.

Join in and have fun, trust me, itﾒs addictive and itﾒs good for you.