By Kathy Bohannon
For Coastal Senior

Exciting plans are underway for the Senior Safari, the event known locally as one of the most entertaining senior affairs of the year.

Members of the Greater Savannah Coalition on Aging (GSCA) and other sponsors of the Senior Safari are busy preparing for a host of events that will take place from Sept. 20-27.

A fun-filled week with a variety of themes and activities such as dancing, dining, music and games have been scheduled at various times and locations throughout the city of Savannah. Beginning with a 1940's USO Dance Party, and concluding with the elegant Senior Prom, the week's agenda is chocked full of entertaining options.

Mary Jane Shuman, secretary of the GSCA is excited about the upcoming event, and stated, "Everyone looks forward to the Senior Safari. It is a great time for seniors to enjoy and the best part is, it is affordable. For just $40, you can have a full week of fun and dancing."

Tickets this year are $5 per event, per person, and will be available only on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at the GenerationOne activity room located at 7135 Hodgson Memorial Drive in Savannah. The tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and will be limited in number.

Hubert C. Baker funeral home is one of the Senior Safari sponsors and Mark Yocco, H.C. Baker Family Service Manager, said the GSCA works all year to create programs and events that benefit seniors in the Savannah area.

"Time and money are donated by local businesses, and all of the funds go toward the GSCA," Yocco stated.

Besides the Senior Safari, the GSCA hosts a spring seminar for the senior community. Past educational programs have included sessions that explore topics such as Alzheimer's, Validation Therapy, dementia, and activity programming for seniors. The GSCS also hosted a spring dance on May 5 of this year. The theme "Puttin' On The Ritz" was a sold out event.

Seniors all over the Savannah area are eagerly waiting for that moment in Sept. when they can purchase their tickets to the 2004 Senior Safari. From the Lowcountry Boil to the Hawaiian Luau, this is sure to be remembered as the best Senior Safari ever.


Schedule of Events:

Sept. 20:
1940's USO Dance Party
Entertainment: Hilton Head's Todd & Ricky B.
7-9 p.m. River's Edge

Sept. 21:
Lunch and Line Dancing
Food by John Menzies, Music by Grace Arnold
Noon-3 p.m. at the Wilshire Boulevard Elk's Lodge

Sept. 22:
Bingo
2-4 p.m. at the Tara Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center

Sept. 23:
Starlight Caribbean Cruise
Food by Savannah Square, Entertainment by Chuck Courtenay
6-8 p.m. Savannah Square

Sept. 24:
Luau
Food: Island Cuisine by Chef Vinnie, Entertainment by The Polynesian Fires
7-10 p.m. Savannah Commons

Sept. 25:
Lowcountry Boil
Proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer's Association
Noon-2 p.m. Heritage Park

Sept. 26:
Pig Pull
Music and Bingo provided by sponsors
1-3 p.m. Magnolia Manor in Richmond Hill

Sept. 27:
Senior Prom
7-10 p.m. Civic Center Ballroom

Ticket Information

Tickets are $5 per event, per person, and will go on sale Thursday, Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at the GenerationOne activity room located at 7135 Hodgson Memorial Dr. in Savannah. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and are limited in number.

The Greater Savannah Coalition on Aging is an educational and advocacy group for seniors. Annual membership is $25 for agencies and $10 for individuals. The next meeting for the GSCA will be Sept. 23 at the Marshview Inn. For information: Mary Jane Shuman at (912) 927-0500.