Come out and play: Eldred Township Community Center holds adult recess
Itsy Sweeney takes her turn in hopscotch while competitor Hailey Matlock and her daughter, Aryanna, watch from behind. Adult recess is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. Scan this photo with the Prindeo app to see a video. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Tracy Colter and her daughter Hailey Matlock play beanbag toss during Thursday’s adult recess at Eldred Township Community Center. Matlock’s daughter, Aryanna, helps by retrieving ones that go too far. STACI L. GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Grab a paddle. Toss a bean bag. Reteach your body how to hopscotch.
Do these exercises and other activities each Tuesday and Thursday in February as the Eldred Township Community Center hosts adult recess from 6 to 8 p.m.
“I think it is important during the winter to get exercise,” said Itsy Sweeney, volunteer recreational director. “I saw this unused gym and knew it was the place to go.”
Sweeney says she’s been athletic all her life. She has chronic Lyme disease and really misses playing.
Adult recess is a “way to play without overdoing it,” Sweeney said.
For the winter months, indoor activities include beanbag toss, glow in the dark football, basketball, pickleball and hopscotch.
The format and flow of each night’s activities will depend on what those who show up want to do first and throughout the night.
“I had a great time. It’s a way to get exercise and relieve stress without thinking about it,” said Dawn Barankovich after a round of pickleball.
While its focus is to get adults to play and move, it is also a place for families to gather for some friendly competition.
One family of five was there Thursday having fun. Hailey Matlock and her sister Alyssa Matlock were on opposing sides during friendly rounds of pickleball with their game partners James Cogan and Matt Fryauff.
Later, Hailey Matlock and her mother, Tracy Colter, played a game of beanbag toss. Matlock’s 18-month-old daughter, Aryanna, was their adorable catcher/outfielder.
Sweeney challenged Hailey Matlock to hopscotch. Both commented how good of a workout it is, and how tired their legs were after their intense moments of having to be on one leg and then balance to pick up their beanbag — used as a place marker — before continuing their turn.
“If this is something the community shows interest in, we’ll continue with kickball, flag football, hopscotch and softball games outside in the spring,” Sweeney said.
Another idea of hers is to have the Eldred players challenge teams from surrounding townships, including Polk, Ross and Chestnuthill.
Adult recess is free for the community. Donations to the community center are always appreciated. The center’s address is 516 Kunkletown Road, Kunkletown.
