Stacy Holbrook
Contributing Writer

(Photo provided)

I found myself enjoying a visit with Rita Honeysett and John Nicholas at The Jean Bradford Senior Center located at 201 Grand St, Eaton Rapids, where walk-ins and wheelchairs are welcome. I discovered a happy, friendly atmosphere with regular activities that are designed to interest seniors, fifty-five through the golden years. Honeysett has a motto, she calls it “the Senior Social Center,” getting people off the recliner and involved in fun activities. 

The Jean Bradford Senior Center is not just a space, every day has something planned, check out their weekly events below to see the fun activities they host.

Mondays you are invited to join in a fun time playing euchre. Currently there are 40 people enjoying this slightly competitive card game. Euchre games begin at 1:00 p.m.

Tuesdays they offer exercise classes, “the over fifty-five Y” program, led by Jill Skinner, class begins at 9:00 a.m. Also, one Tuesday out of every other month, the Secretary of State visits the Center and assists anyone in the community needing licensing and registration.  

Wednesdays are for the “sit and knit” group that begins at 10:00 a.m. Later on, in the day at 4:30 p.m., bring a friend and enjoy a competitive night of Bingo. There are also two clinics on Wednesdays, which are not part of the Eaton Rapids Senior Center that allow people to receive hearing and foot care.

Thursday means another day of exercise and a fun way to get moving with an enthusiastic group starting at 9:00 a.m. The Center hosts Swiss-Steak take-out dinners with mashed potatoes, and vegetables on the second Thursday of every month in the fall, winter, and spring. 

Two Fridays a month, the Jean Bradford Senior Center has casual card game times starting at 1:30p.m. Participants can play cribbage or any choice of card games. You will not know what surprises will await you until you venture through these doors on ‘casual card’ days. 

When summer days get very hot, and winter days get very cold; the community can stop into the Center where they will receive the hospitality of the comfortable building during the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Center is not designed or approved for over-night sheltering.  The Eaton Rapids Senior Center aids the community, as they can on the limited funds, with a modest food pantry for those in need.

Coming up on May 31, the Jean Bradford Senior Center is hosting a sale and will be open to the public for anyone interested in renting a table to sell their wares, in an air-conditioned building, out of the weather and with a café available.  In June there are plans in the making to bring back the casino trips.

Give them a try, you may find a new friend. Check them out on Facebook by searching “The Jean Bradford Kline Senior Center.”