By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM –  The Pelham Senior Center is offering a bevy of events in January for Pelham citizens in their golden years.

With the new year comes the opportunity for new beginnings. Katie Augsburger, the recreation coordinator for seniors at Pelham Parks & Recreation, specifically planned the Senior Center’s January events with this in mind.

“January is often a month where individuals like to branch out and try new things,” Augsburger said. “With this in mind, I tried to plan classes, events and outings that would give our members the opportunity to do just that. With a wide variety to choose from, there is something for everyone. We try to offer a variety of activities and events that will appeal to all of the 55-plus community.”

The January events for the Pelham Senior Center include a watercolor painting session, a baking class, a crafts class and a seminar on opioid awareness.

These events offer Pelham seniors a depth and breadth of choice to continue to engage in the Pelham community.

The watercolor painting class will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at two different times. The first session will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, while the second will be held from 5-7 p.m.

Augsburger explained that the class’s popularity contributed to the Senior Center holding it at two different times.

“This is a very popular class and by offering it in the evening also, those who still work have the opportunity to attend,” Augsburger said.

The class is suitable for both beginners and more experienced painters, and all supplies needed to participate are included.

The baking class at the Pelham Senior Center is held once a month, with this month’s session already being held on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Augsburger detailed the class for those interested, as well as what January’s class focused on.

“Each month a different recipe is chosen,” Augsburger said. “This month the participants made a homestyle no-yeast cinnamon roll biscuit. All supplies for the class are included, and they (participants) will make the selected recipe from start to finish.”

The crafting class, called Crafting Together, took place on Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. Augsburger detailed that the focus of the event was on the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday in February.

“This month the focus of the Crafting Together class was creating a set of decorative heart blocks that will be hand sanded and painted by the participants,” Augsburger said.

The final event, which focuses on opioid awareness, will be held on Monday, Jan. 27 from 1:15-1:45 p.m.

According to Augsburger, class members will learn helpful information on the proper usage of opioids, as well as their effects.

Augsburger also took the time to introduce the event’s guest speaker.

“Detective Tommy Stewart, from the Alabaster Police Department, will be conducting this presentation and will have handouts with valuable information concerning how to learn more and get additional help about this topic,” Augsburger said.

Finally, Augsburger detailed the registration process for seniors interested in getting involved with the Senior Center.

“All registration takes place in person,” Augsburger said. “Once the capacity limit is met, the individual will be placed on a waitlist.”

For more information on the Pelham Senior Center, visit Pelhamalabama.gov/641/Senior-Center.