It's a date! Senior movie outings are a hit
Thanks to a partnership between Alexandria Community Education and Midway Cinema 9 in Alexandria, hundreds of the area’s older residents are enjoying an afternoon at the movies.
Thanks to a partnership between Alexandria Community Education and Midway Cinema 9 in Alexandria, hundreds of the area’s older residents are enjoying an afternoon at the movies.
And for some, it is a much anticipated “date” with the one they love.
The partnership was developed in September 2010 to enhance social interaction needs of those “60 years or better.”
Movie matinees are offered on the second Wednesday of each month, September through May, at a reasonable cost and convenient 1:30 p.m. time for this age group.
During the first four months, more than 800 individuals have enjoyed an afternoon at the movies. Some come by Rainbow Rider bus, some by car and some by congregate living buses.
For the following couples, the movie outings offer a special “date” opportunity.
Jerry and Dona Johnson
Jerry and Dona Johnson have been together since junior high school.
They spent their teen years near Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. During their dating years they went to a lot of movies, often taking a streetcar because Jerry did not own a car.
Movies cost between 12 and 14 cents at that time. The couple’s favorite movie house was the Radio City Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
The first show they saw together was Caesar and Cleopatra. Jerry’s all-time favorite show is Sergeant York and Dona’s is Gone With the Wind.
Now Dona accompanies Jerry, who lives at Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria, to the monthly senior movie outing at the Midway Cinema 9. This opportunity enables the couple to go out on a date and do what they love – watch movies together.
Ken and Lenore Johnson
Ken and Lenore Johnson have been married for 57 years. They met in a science lab when Ken attended Macalester College and Lenore was at the University of Minnesota.
Ken is a veteran of the Korean War, having served as a colonel in the Marine Corps. Prior to moving to Alexandria, the couple lived in the Twin Cities, where Ken was in management with Con-Agra and Lenore was a stay-at-home mom.
Ken moved to Knute Nelson Care Center two years ago. The couple’s son, Brian, drives Lenore to the theater each month to meet Ken, who comes on the care center bus, for a movie date.
The couple enjoys the opportunity to spend time together out in the community away from the care center.
Ken suffers from vision problems and appreciates the large movie screen, as well as the movie popcorn.
Ken credits the care center staff for helping him get to the theater and to his family for bringing Lenore so the couple can have this special monthly date.
Activities designed for those
‘60 Years and Better’
In 2008 an Alexandria Community Education citizen planning committee identified providing additional opportunities for individuals “60 Years and Better” as an important issue of the updated Community Education Strategic Plan.
Three areas of focus are:
• social interaction.
• creative expression.
• cross-generational enrichment experiences.
In addition to monthly movie matinees, Community Education offers other classes that would be of particular interest to those age 60 and older.
Some of these opportunities include a Masterpiece Art class held at Nelson Gables and a senior housing tour held in collaboration with the Douglas County Senior Office.
To explore new interests, renew old interests or practice new skills, consult the Winter Community Education Catalog sent to all District 206 households.
Register for Community Education classes at (320) 762-3310 or on-line at www.alexandria.k12.mn.us under the tab Community Education.
What
Monthly movie matinees for
those age 60 and older
When
Second Wednesday of each month:
Feb. 9, March 9, April 13 and May 11
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where
Midway Cinema 9
Alexandria
Tags: variety, features, seniors, movies, date
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