Center of activity: Shipley Center sets various classes, demonstrations for annual open house

Leaders look to share numerous activities with community

By Matthew Nash • September 11, 2019 1:30 am
Nancy Martin participates in the Shipley Center’s balance exercise class on Sept. 6. When asked if the class has benefited her after three years, she said, “Oh, gosh yes! I don’t wobble as much.” Various classes like the balance exercise class will demonstrate their activities at an open house on Sept. 12.
Nancy Martin participates in the Shipley Center’s balance exercise class on Sept. 6. When asked if the class has benefited her after three years, she said, “Oh, gosh yes! I don’t wobble as much.” Various classes like the balance exercise class will demonstrate their activities at an open house on Sept. 12.

Shipley Center Open House

When: 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12

Where: 921 E. Hammond St.

Open to: All ages, members and non-members

Features: Entertainment, door prizes, demonstrations and food

More info: 360-683-6806, info@shipleycenter.org or www.shipleycenter.org.

Whether you’re into yoga, painting or computers, Shipley Center likely has a class for you.

This week, the Sequim senior activity center hosts its 11th-annual Open House from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at 921 E. Hammond St.

“We want people to see what a community resource we are,” Margaret Cox, the center’s board president, said.

“There are so many people who don’t know we exist.”

She founded the open house as an outreach opportunity to showcase the well-used and -loved facility.

Michael Smith, executive director, said the center caters to more than 1,700 active members with an estimated 600 people participating in activities each week.

However, some activities don’t have a sign-in, so it’s difficult to gauge attendance, he said.

Cox, who has led a balance exercise class for 10 years, said she first participated in the class years ago before becoming its permanent substitute. The class’ purpose is to strengthen one’s core, prevent falls and promote better posture with at least one foot always on the floor.

When asked if the class has benefited her after three years, Nancy Martin said, “Oh, gosh yes! I don’t wobble as much.”

Various levels of exercise are available throughout the week, too.

About the event

Members and non-members of any age are welcome to drop-in the free open house anytime between 1-4 p.m. on Sept. 12 to enjoy the entertainment and enter in a chance for prizes such as free center memberships and various community gift certificates.

Smith speaks at 2 p.m. briefly about the center’s planned Health & Wellness Annex.

Throughout the event, entertainment features center members from various classes sharing their talents such as tap dancers, the Strait Wheelers Dance Club, ukulele strummers and many more.

Visitors can walk through the whole facility to see classes in action, such as ping pong, arts and crafts, the computer lab, various games like cribbage and Scrabble, and more.

Cox said of the approximate 200 people who attend, it’s a good mix of current and new attendees.

The Café, the center’s full-service restaurant, offers refreshments during the event.

Free senior resources will also be on hand, too.

“People are surprised to learn how much activity we have,” Cox said.

Prior to becoming the Shipley Center in 2013 after large supporter R. Leo Shipley, the center was known as the Sequim Senior Activity Center.

Smith said they added “activity” to share how much the facility has to offer.

Activities run Monday-Friday with some trips and activities on weekends.

Membership to the Shipley Center is $55 per person per year or $95 for two people living in the same house. Members receive the monthly newsletter, class discounts, access to a free computer clinic and more.

For more information about the open house or joining, call 360-683-6806, email to info@shipleycenter.org or visit www.shipleycenter.org.

Margaret Cox, Shipley Center board president, leads a balance exercise class on Sept. 6 for center members like Sandee Freeman who said the class helps build your core. “It’s a fabulous class,” Freeman said. Cox’s open house returns on Sept. 12 from 1-4 p.m. so the community can get a taste for the center’s various activities. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Margaret Cox, Shipley Center board president, leads a balance exercise class on Sept. 6 for center members like Sandee Freeman who said the class helps build your core. “It’s a fabulous class,” Freeman said. Cox’s open house returns on Sept. 12 from 1-4 p.m. so the community can get a taste for the center’s various activities. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Watercolor remains a mainstay at the Shipley Center for painters like Melinda Griffith, left, and Lori Rice. They paint on Thursdays with teacher Judy Priest.

Watercolor remains a mainstay at the Shipley Center for painters like Melinda Griffith, left, and Lori Rice. They paint on Thursdays with teacher Judy Priest.