When I was in my teens, I thought 50 was very old. Now that I am in my very early 60s, age 50 seems to be very young.

I also thought that being a senior citizen meant that life was just about over and dull. But senior organizations such as AARP and the Senior Service Center sometimes advertise and offer programs to seniors to still make them feel that they are in the prime of their lives.

One example was the article written by News-Herald Reporter Tracy Agnew and published on Friday about the Senior Center’s new location on the first floor of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. That program offers an aerobic class, and in the future will include pottery, computer, photography, art and line dancing.

AARP uses the slogan “The Best is Yet to Come” when it urges seniors to become a member. I have been a member since the age of 50, and the program offers valuable health, educational and employment programs. I was asked by Edith Deloatch to cover a seminar at East End Baptist Church recently, informing seniors of employment opportunities to supplement their income after retirement. This information will be published in the near future.

With all of these activities and more out there available, there is no excuse for any senior who doesn’t have serious health problems to be lonely or not to live active and fruitful lives. I plan to take advantage of programs at the Senior Center soon; however, my only regret is that even now there is not enough time in the day for me to do all that I want to do.

These opportunities are all fun stuff, and for seniors who haven’t taken advantage of any of these programs, but are ready, willing and able to do so, the best is not yet to come, it has already arrived.

King’s Fork Battle of the Brains Team is still a winner

I want to give a “shout out” to four students at King’s Fork High School who were on NBC’s Battle of the Brains program Saturday against Bruton High School from York County. The program is sponsored by the Virginia Lottery, and for those of you who play the lottery, at least a portion of that money is being used to support education.

April Spratley was the coach of the King’s Fork team. Students on that team were Drew Catlett, a senior and Evan Smith, James Lego and Casey Shultz, juniors. The King’s Fork team gave Bruton a run for their money in answering questions, and at half time the score was tied. However, the Bruton team pulled away from the tie in the last portion of the program and came out on top 145-125.

Catlett, Smith, Lego and Shultz — you displayed quality sportsmanship, charisma and character and the host of the show even said that it was a challenging game.

You guys may have finished 20 points behind Bruton’s team, but in my book, the King’s Fork team was still a winner.

Too much to bear

Those who are interested in hunting black bears could probably find a few in the Dismal Swamp behind some houses in the Lake Kennedy section of town where I live.

Last year, my next door neighbor had one come in his back yard, but his dogs, that were locked in a cage, scared it off with their frantic barking enough for him to run in front of my house and across the street.

I am in and out of the house many times during the day and night, and have imagined many times trying to unlock my door only to come face to face with one of these gigantic creatures.

If this should ever happen, it would certainly be too much for me to bear. (No pun intended).

Wall is a former News-Herald reporter and regular contributor to the Town Square Page.