With time on their hands these over 50s enjoy their day of fellowship and fun
Ladies engrossed in their scrabble game. Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
Every Friday from 9 a.m to 12 noon, the members of the Colombo branch of the Sri Lanka Association of Senior Citizens look forward to gathering at St. Paul’s Church Hall, Milagiriya. Here old age does not solely mean grey hair and stiff joints but a time to enjoy some fellowship and fun.
The members who participate in these Friday gatherings are senior citizens above 50 years. From diverse professions, they contributed to the betterment of society in their working life and now retired, have more time on their hands.
It is indeed a fun-filled occasion when they get together, socialize with fellow members while engaging in a few games. The tables are set up for scrabble, bridge, carrom and card games. Scrabble is a firm favourite in which many actively participate. Thilaka Wijeratnam, a retired school teacher is a Scrabble champion. “I have been playing Scrabble since 1952 and I really look forward to taking part in the upcoming Scrabble tournament,” she says.
Friday is the most exciting day of the week for most of them as they wait to catch up with old friends. “This is my 17th year at the Friday Club and I just love to spend time with everyone here,” says Mrs. Berny who is a regular at the Friday meetings. The ‘market table’ where members can buy or sell their homemade products, clothes, accessories or any other handmade creations is a favourite spot among the ladies.
The association also organises Avurudu events and Christmas parties along with frequent picnics and outings to leading hotels. Occasionally guest speakers address the members on topics related to elders and their welfare.
The association currently functions in Kandy, Panadura and Nawala (Rajagiriya).
Those above 50 who are interested in joining their Friday meetings are welcome to drop in at St. Paul’s Church Hall, Milagiriya at 9 a.m.
| All-Island Senior Citizens Scrabble Tournament on Oct 22 | |
| The annual All-Island Senior Citizens Scrabble Tournament will be held on October 22 at the Hilton Colombo at 9 a.m. The tournament will be held under two categories. Category “A” will be for the words from the Collins Scrabble Words Dictionary and the winner will be awarded the Deshabandu Clara Motwani Memorial Cup. Category “B” is for the players who use more traditional words from the Oxford English Dictionary and the winner will receive the Rajathy Kandasamy Memorial Cup. Spot prizes will be offered including for the Highest Word Score and the Highest Game Score. Entry forms for the tournament can be obtained from Indrani Athukorale, No.102/1, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 (Tel:2696993) and Delryn Wijesinghe, No.27, Ridgeway Place, Colombo 4. (Tel:2587094). Entry fee is Rs. 800 and the closing date for entries is October 15. |