The annual Senior Resource Fair, sponsored by the Polk County Council on Aging, the Area Agency on Aging, and The Meeting Place, will take place Friday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Meeting Place located at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus. Everyone is invited to visit with the many providers of services for seniors, and to enjoy the programs and entertainment as well as a free lunch.

The event’s primary purpose is to provide the public with information about resources available in Polk County and surrounding areas. This year’s theme is “Get into the act” and we are encouraging seniors to step up and get involved in the community and in life. With retirement, seniors have the opportunity to re-evaluate and re-imagine their lives. The program for the fair will kick off a weeklong series of reimaging workshops focusing on new directions.

Special programs for this event include an old fashioned cake walk with mouth-watering prizes, a bit of bingo, a walk on the wild side with Linda Powell’s drum circle, first class entertainment from our neighboring state of Tennessee, and an introduction to “Life Re-imagined” with the Rev. Dr. Michael Doty.

Linda Powell will bring her drums and other percussion instruments and invite everyone to participate in a joyful exploration of rhythm and sound. Linda has conducted drum circles in the area for several years and is a frequent presenter at The Meeting Place, where she has an enthusiastic following. Drumming will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For your entertainment, Erin Shultz will perform a tribute to Patsy Cline, bringing to life some of Patsy’s greatest hits. An accomplished singer as well as an actress and improvisational artist, Erin portrays Patsy with a sweet charm and a strong voice. She originally portrayed the singer in the theatrical production of “Always, Patsy Cline” at the Blue Moon Theatre where the production was held over for several weeks. When she sang “Crazy,” members of the audience were overheard to say, “Now, that’s Patsy like I remember her!”

Her visit to The Meeting Place is indeed a special treat for visitors to the Senior Resource Fair. Her performances will be at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

The fair also serves as the kickoff for a new offering at The Meeting Place. The Rev. Dr. Michael Doty (retired) will provide a short introduction to the workshop he will be leading the following week at 10:30 a.m. entitled “Life Re-imagined.” The workshop is designed to address the question – Retired . . .now what? Participants will explore where they are at this stage of their lives and begin to re-imagine the whys and wherefores of this new endeavor through visual arts and creative writing.

Dr. Doty is a retired Episcopal priest who is also an award-winning watercolorist and published writer. Presently, woodworking and writing are his preferred forms of creativity, but his background includes work in clay, bronze sculpture, stained glass, gardening and gourmet cooking. He has taught art at all levels – kindergarten through adult and has conducted workshops on spirituality and imagination for several years. The workshop begins May 4 and ends May 8 with sessions daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $30 to cover materials. This first offering is limited to 15 participants.

The Senior Resource Fair is an annual offering of the Polk County Council on Aging, the Area Agency on Aging, and The Meeting Place Senior Centers. It is free to the public. For more information, call The Meeting Place at 894-0001.

– Submitted by Pam Doty