As America pulls out of the worst pandemic in more than 100 years, we go on location to Brevard County Florida and pay a visit with seniors and senior management of the Wickham Park Senior Center.
Senior membership is growing and many seniors are quite willing to share what they plan to do now that they have their Freedom Cards -- the CDC cards verifying they have received their COVID-19 vaccinations.
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Sam Yates:
Hello, everyone and welcome to another edition of the great American senior Show. I'm your gray haired host, Sam Yates, the great American senior show features topics especially curated for our show and answers, the questions being asked, and issues being discussed by seniors nationwide. Today we're on location. And with us, Diane wine zero. Diane, tell me where we are today because we have to paint a word picture.
Diane Weinzierl:
Good morning, Sam. We are at the Wickham Park Senior Center in Melbourne, Florida. We're located just off of Wickham road, actually, inside of Wickham Park.
Sam Yates:
Now, Diane, I heard as I was sitting here prepping for the interview, that you have some good news on membership, we're coming out of the pandemic, it appears. And the good news on the membership is,
Diane Weinzierl:
well, we had actually 42 new members this last month, which is a pretty good number for us. And in addition to that, we're seeing a lot of people who are renewing, we've been doing a push to remind everybody, hey, we're still here, we have to pay bills, even if you haven't come back in the building, please support us and we're getting a really good response.
Sam Yates:
Now for those who may be wondering, Wickham Park Melbourne area, also known as the harbor city region, because we're on the east coast of Florida, you're in the shadow of the cape. Were in what many people see as one of the most thriving and growing areas? Are you surprised that the numbers are beginning to increase for the senior center?
Diane Weinzierl:
Ah, little. What continues to amaze me is when people come in here to see what we're all about. I'm still surprised at the number of seniors who do not know that we are here.
Sam Yates:
What type of reaction Are you getting from the seniors about coming out of the pandemic, if that is a legitimate way to describe what's happening?
Diane Weinzierl:
I think they're all excited. I every week, I asked people who's been vaccinated, a lot of our seniors are continuing to get vaccinated, we're seeing more people come back for bingo, we have some new programs that didn't start before, people are willing to come back now and be in small groups. And we expect and hopefully by summer, certainly early fall, that we should be back up in full swing. Now, you
Sam Yates:
mentioned that, of course, the big thing is letting people know that you are here you are open, you are looking for new membership. But for the center itself, things on your wish list as we enter a new phase of normality.
Diane Weinzierl:
While we're hoping to do more education programs, right now, we're sort of a, I don't know, I'd call us maybe a social group where most of the activities have been going on. But a number of our sponsors have come to us and they want to help us do an education outreach. And, and we're hoping by far, we can start doing that.
Sam Yates:
Some of the topics that we are going to be looking into, And oh, by the way, I'm going to be helping with that by promoting it here on the great American senior show. So I will get the word out. But some of the areas of interest that you're looking for speakers and experts,
Diane Weinzierl:
anything that deals with Speaker where I'm sorry, that deals with seniors, whether it has to do with health benefits, anything financial, anything legal, the lot of issues that seniors have to deal with a lot of scams and things going on. So we want to make sure that they're aware of what they should be looking for and looking out for. So I'm hopeful that we can get that started soon.
Sam Yates:
I had a gentleman who approached me knowing that I was going to be here at the Senior Center today. And his question was Sam, find out if there are still seniors who are driving because I would like to share my expertise on automobiles and trucks and anything that can be driven.
Diane Weinzierl:
Oh, that's interesting. Yeah, that's a good one. And another one that we find is technology. Just before the pandemic hit, we were actually scheduled to do an educational program around phones, how many seniors have cell phones and don't know how to use them in bingo, they don't even know how to turn them off. So we had that all teed up, ready to go, had to postpone it. So I'm looking forward to that coming back as well.
Sam Yates:
Now, a personal question. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to. But I'm asking folks here at the Senior Center today, if they have been vaccinated, and I won't tell you the results because you'll have to tune in and listen, but if they have been vaccinated against COVID my follow up question is what is one of the first things you're looking forward to do so as part of my senior on the street interviews, Diane, have you been vaccinated,
Diane Weinzierl:
I have received both of my vaccinations and I am definitely looking forward to traveling and going Want to see my grandchildren this summer?
Mark Paczynski:
My name is Mark Paczynski. I'm a retired. I used to work for the change and I retired out of that, which is the PX VX for the military installations.
Sam Yates:
Mark, have you had your vaccinations? And if so, what's the first thing you're looking forward to doing?
Unknown:
I have not had my second shot. My first shot. I just had that this last Wednesday, when they opened up the age limitations. And what I'm looking forward to enjoying the family in a barbecue atmosphere and feeling comfortable with doing Chuck Burr. I worked in special education, most of my life, retired now this is my mom, she's turning 99 in another month, and come to bingo frequently and use the senior center rather frequently. Also,
Sam Yates:
that's good to hear. have both of you had your vaccinations? And if so, what are you looking forward to doing?
Unknown:
We both have had both of our shots, Madeira. And I think the one thing we're looking forward to is just being able to go out with some confidence that we are pretty well protected. At this point, I was really concerned about my mom because of her age. And when we really restricted where we will go and when we will go and who we will be with. So yes, I'm looking forward just to getting out.
Sam Yates:
I'm Sam Yates with the great American senior show. And my question today is have you been vaccinated? And if so, what's the first thing you're looking forward to doing? But first, you have to tell me who you are.
Diane Weinzierl:
I'm not Rossi.
Sam Yates:
And have you been vaccinated?
Diane Weinzierl:
Yeah. And the next one is Monday.
Sam Yates:
And what are you looking forward to doing when you have both of your vaccinations? Thank you What
Diane Weinzierl:
I'm doing now. I like to play bingo.
Sam Yates:
Be 24. And we have a bingo. I knew we would have one and tell me your name. Betty,
Unknown:
Betty, have
Sam Yates:
you had both of your vaccinations last
Unknown:
night? I had my last one.
Sam Yates:
Awesome. Awesome. So what's the first thing that you're looking forward to do other than being here today?
Unknown:
Well, I don't have much of anything to worry about. So I'm not worried about going anywhere. But I'd like to go to Las Vegas again.
Sam Yates:
I bet. And also you bet. Yes, I
Unknown:
do bet.
Sam Yates:
Thank you very much for talking to me today. We're on location traveling about the Sunshine State, the great state of Florida. And today on location at the Wickham Park Senior Center just outside of Melbourne, Florida. Diane, I would like to thank you very much for inviting us into your senior center today. And to all the seniors listening. Thank you for being part of our program today. I'm Sam Yates. And that's the way the show ends