Senior Games athletes enjoy competition, companionship

Photos by WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers BIG WINNER- Fred Markle of Westlake Village displays the nine medals he won at the Senior Games, which ran from Sept. 12 through Oct. 11 and included competitions in softball, bowling, bingo, darts and other sports. Markle, whose favorite game is golf, won four gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Awards were given at a luncheon on Friday at Arroyo Vista Park in Moorpark. About 90 gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to tournament winners who participated in the 2007 Moorpark Active Adult Center Senior Games.

The games, held over the course of a month, included bocce ball, bowling, darts, golf, horseshoes, overtheline softball, poker walk, bingo, bunko, bridge and duplicate bridge, mah-jongg, pinochle, poker and table tennis.

"Participants have a fun time. They laugh a lot and everybody seems to really enjoy the games," said Mary Lindley, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services in Moorpark.

About 180 people took part in the games, and the overall combined attendance was about 800, with many competing in several events, said Peggy Rothchild, director of the Active Adult Center.

HONORED- Moorpark Mayor Patrick Hunter hands out medals to competitors during the Senior Games Awards Luncheon on Friday. The closing ceremony took place at Arroyo Vista Park last Friday.

Fred Markel of Westlake Village won nine medals, including the top prize for poker. He's a regular at the Active Adult Center, where he hosts the weekly bunko games.

The bronze medal around Linda Dahl's neck was the first she'd ever won.

"The games have been great and we met wonderful people," she said as she and her husband were about to eat lunch following the awards presentation.

Most take part in the games because they enjoy the camaraderie and companionship of fellow seniors.

"I'm a very competitive person but I don't play for the medals," said Fred Greco.

Longtime Moorpark resident Mariana Velasquez enjoyed the upbeat ambience as fellow seniors were called to the podium to receive their medals, which were awarded by Mayor Patrick Hunter and Councilmember Roseann Mikos.

LUNCH OF CHAMPIONS- Connie McMillan of Thousand Oaks serves lunch while wearing her gold medal at the Senior Games Awards Luncheon at Arroyo Vista Park in Moorpark. Velasquez loves Moorpark for many reasons, she said, and the center's roster of activities is one of the top ones.

A number of people come from surrounding cities to participate in the friendly competitions and spend time at the local senior center because they, too, like its welcoming atmosphere.

"The Moorpark center is friendly and homier than other larger senior centers," said Simi Valley resident Cecilia Garmon.

The Senior Games are funded through the city's general funds and the Active Adult Center. Organizers also receive donations from local vendors, businesses and individuals.

"There has been lots of work, coordination and planning to organize the games," said Robert Moser, chair of the active adult committee. He thanked game co-leaders, the city and other benefactors.

Moser congratulated all the winners and acknowledged all the contestants for a job well done.