Seniors find their own social scenes in Palm Coast

Published: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 4:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 9:22 p.m.

PALM COAST — Joy Bingham has made up her mind. The 68-year-old doesn't think Palm Coast is for her.

She said there isn't enough to do and there aren't enough people in her age group around town who are as vigorous or share her interests, which range from tai chi to discussing Greek philosophy. Bingham is ready to move to Sarasota.

But based on the number of people moving to Palm Coast versus those moving out, the city's range of activities seems to be satisfying a lot of people.

"We're definitely pro-senior over here," said Frank Morelli of the Italian American Social Club. "We try to accommodate everyone as best we can."

Bingham said the clubs available in Palm Coast don't interest her as much. She's not Christian, so she doesn't attend church. She has called the county with her gripes about the lack of available activities. She has talked to her condominium association, asking them to turn the clubhouse into a better social center. She has tried starting her own social groups.

She keeps striking out, so she says she's switching cities.

"I have tried so many things," Bingham said. "There is no place to go. There is no senior center in Palm Coast ... I don't know whether it's that people here aren't spirited enough or what."

Luanne Santangelo is the head of Parks and Recreation for Palm Coast. She said there have been concerted efforts to turn the community center into at least a part-time senior facility, but the interest hasn't always been there.

They have tried hosting games, dances, movie events and other activities, but often there would be as many punch bowls there as people.

"We did try some of the traditional senior programs ... but unfortunately, for whatever reason, we couldn't get the attendance," Santangelo said.

There is bingo everywhere. The same goes with bridge. Mahjong, a board game that originated in China, is catching on across town and groups are cropping up everywhere. If it is dinner and dancing singles and couples want, they can go to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8676, which hosts a dance every month.

"The clubs around here are a good source of entertainment," said Pat Donnelly, quartermaster at the local VFW. "We have dinners and we have bingo and they're usually pretty well attended. ... The clubs here certainly provide a source of variety."

Donnelly said the VFW is open to the public and isn't restricted to members. Morelli said people of all ages and backgrounds may join his club, too.

Golfers young and old have choices in Palm Coast — as do tennis players, walkers, runners, boaters and bird watchers.

"We have far many more social clubs than you see at other places," Mayor Jon Netts said.

His predecessor, Netts said, would refer to Old Kings Road as "Bingo Boulevard" due to the number of clubs that host popular game nights.

That is largely why a senior center never has taken off in Palm Coast, Santangelo said. There is a glut of social clubs that provide mostly everything seniors want. The city's only chance of attracting seniors to its community center is to come up with something other venues don't offer. Then again, if it's not offered at the VFW or the Knights of Columbus, there is a good chance it won't catch on elsewhere.

That doesn't mean the city won't try something new if the idea is presented to them, she said.

"We've talked about this a lot," Santangelo said. "We kept asking ourselves why we didn't have the attendance we wanted. Maybe the programs didn't (generate) the interest or the times didn't work. I think a lot of it is because the people in the community are so active and they know where to go for that kind of entertainment."

Flagler Beach residents have the nearby George Wickline Senior Center, which hosts a lunch each day and bingo during most mornings. During holidays, the center hosts special events and there are several nutrition programs scheduled throughout the month.

Bingham lived in Flagler Beach in the mid-1990s and moved to Palm Coast a few years ago because she likes the climate, the city's proximity to the coast, its retail choices and its proximity to larger cities. She also loves her condo.

But what keeps her motivated and interested is taking part in activities she enjoys the most — and sharing those experiences with friends. She describes herself as an extrovert who is used to living in culturally dynamic places such as Long Island, N.Y., and Columbia, Md. She said more than once she would prefer to live in a city like Columbia — one with a varied middle class — only without having to deal with the harsh winters and traffic congestion.

Bingham doesn't think the George Wickline Senior Center offers anything interesting and she doesn't think city officials have tried hard enough to accommodate seniors. Those who are 55 and older make up 44 percent of the city's population; those 65 and older make up more than one-quarter of the population, according to the latest Census statistics.

In Columbia, Bingham had activities. In Palm Coast, she sees apathy, she said.

"The most important thing with happiness is having support systems. It's hopeless here," Bingham said. "I just can't do it anymore."

The city does host a Lunch 'n' Lecture series and at least once a month, buses take seniors to popular spots across the region. Last month, the destination was the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa.

"Someone once told me if you don't have anything to do in Palm Coast, you're not looking hard enough," Netts said. "Maybe we need a place to look."

He has suggested a better calendar system for the public, one that could be available online or perhaps be posted strategically around town.

During every Lunch 'n' Lecture, surveys are handed out to the 45 or so attendees and they are encouraged to speak up about what else they would like to see at the community center.

"We try to advertise using as many resources as we can," Santangelo said. "We try to listen as best we can."

<p>PALM COAST &mdash; Joy Bingham has made up her mind. The 68-year-old doesn't think Palm Coast is for her. </p><p>She said there isn't enough to do and there aren't enough people in her age group around town who are as vigorous or share her interests, which range from tai chi to discussing Greek philosophy. Bingham is ready to move to Sarasota. </p><p>But based on the number of people moving to Palm Coast versus those moving out, the city's range of activities seems to be satisfying a lot of people. </p><p>"We're definitely pro-senior over here," said Frank Morelli of the Italian American Social Club. "We try to accommodate everyone as best we can." </p><p>Bingham said the clubs available in Palm Coast don't interest her as much. She's not Christian, so she doesn't attend church. She has called the county with her gripes about the lack of available activities. She has talked to her condominium association, asking them to turn the clubhouse into a better social center. She has tried starting her own social groups. </p><p>She keeps striking out, so she says she's switching cities. </p><p>"I have tried so many things," Bingham said. "There is no place to go. There is no senior center in Palm Coast ... I don't know whether it's that people here aren't spirited enough or what." </p><p>Luanne Santangelo is the head of Parks and Recreation for Palm Coast. She said there have been concerted efforts to turn the community center into at least a part-time senior facility, but the interest hasn't always been there. </p><p>They have tried hosting games, dances, movie events and other activities, but often there would be as many punch bowls there as people. </p><p>"We did try some of the traditional senior programs ... but unfortunately, for whatever reason, we couldn't get the attendance," Santangelo said. </p><p>There is bingo everywhere. The same goes with bridge. Mahjong, a board game that originated in China, is catching on across town and groups are cropping up everywhere. If it is dinner and dancing singles and couples want, they can go to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8676, which hosts a dance every month. </p><p>"The clubs around here are a good source of entertainment," said Pat Donnelly, quartermaster at the local VFW. "We have dinners and we have bingo and they're usually pretty well attended. ... The clubs here certainly provide a source of variety." </p><p>Donnelly said the VFW is open to the public and isn't restricted to members. Morelli said people of all ages and backgrounds may join his club, too. </p><p>Golfers young and old have choices in Palm Coast &mdash; as do tennis players, walkers, runners, boaters and bird watchers. </p><p>"We have far many more social clubs than you see at other places," Mayor Jon Netts said. </p><p>His predecessor, Netts said, would refer to Old Kings Road as "Bingo Boulevard" due to the number of clubs that host popular game nights. </p><p>That is largely why a senior center never has taken off in Palm Coast, Santangelo said. There is a glut of social clubs that provide mostly everything seniors want. The city's only chance of attracting seniors to its community center is to come up with something other venues don't offer. Then again, if it's not offered at the VFW or the Knights of Columbus, there is a good chance it won't catch on elsewhere. </p><p>That doesn't mean the city won't try something new if the idea is presented to them, she said. </p><p>"We've talked about this a lot," Santangelo said. "We kept asking ourselves why we didn't have the attendance we wanted. Maybe the programs didn't (generate) the interest or the times didn't work. I think a lot of it is because the people in the community are so active and they know where to go for that kind of entertainment." </p><p>Flagler Beach residents have the nearby George Wickline Senior Center, which hosts a lunch each day and bingo during most mornings. During holidays, the center hosts special events and there are several nutrition programs scheduled throughout the month. </p><p>Bingham lived in Flagler Beach in the mid-1990s and moved to Palm Coast a few years ago because she likes the climate, the city's proximity to the coast, its retail choices and its proximity to larger cities. She also loves her condo. </p><p>But what keeps her motivated and interested is taking part in activities she enjoys the most &mdash; and sharing those experiences with friends. She describes herself as an extrovert who is used to living in culturally dynamic places such as Long Island, N.Y., and Columbia, Md. She said more than once she would prefer to live in a city like Columbia &mdash; one with a varied middle class &mdash; only without having to deal with the harsh winters and traffic congestion. </p><p>Bingham doesn't think the George Wickline Senior Center offers anything interesting and she doesn't think city officials have tried hard enough to accommodate seniors. Those who are 55 and older make up 44 percent of the city's population; those 65 and older make up more than one-quarter of the population, according to the latest Census statistics. </p><p>In Columbia, Bingham had activities. In Palm Coast, she sees apathy, she said. </p><p>"The most important thing with happiness is having support systems. It's hopeless here," Bingham said. "I just can't do it anymore." </p><p>The city does host a Lunch 'n' Lecture series and at least once a month, buses take seniors to popular spots across the region. Last month, the destination was the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa. </p><p>"Someone once told me if you don't have anything to do in Palm Coast, you're not looking hard enough," Netts said. "Maybe we need a place to look." </p><p>He has suggested a better calendar system for the public, one that could be available online or perhaps be posted strategically around town. </p><p>During every Lunch 'n' Lecture, surveys are handed out to the 45 or so attendees and they are encouraged to speak up about what else they would like to see at the community center. </p><p>"We try to advertise using as many resources as we can," Santangelo said. "We try to listen as best we can."</p>