Zita Bilbrey receives a blood pressure reading from respiratory therapist Leslie McCartey of Decatur Memorial Health during the National Senior Health and Fitness Day event at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center on Wednesday.
DECATUR — Decatur resident Gail Butler has had several joint replacement surgeries. “And I have heart issues,” she said.
To take care of her health issues, the Butler has a basic membership to the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, which allows her to walk the facility’s track. However, Butler wanted to learn more about health services from the Decatur Park District and other agencies geared toward her age group. “I’m just checking things out,” she said.
Decatur Park District staff brought together various services for Butler and other seniors at the Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday at the DISC.
“Chair yoga sounds interesting,” Butler said. “I’ve never seen it done.”
People are also reading…
Emily Greene, guest experience and membership supervisor, offered senior guests a scorecard with a list of the vendors and activities. “It gives them an idea of what all is here and what we have to offer,” she said.
Along with activities such as chair yoga, Forever Fit exercise class, cornhole games and a giant cup pong game, vendors were on hand to provide health and wellness information, screenings and other services.
“We are such a sedentary society,” said Tracy Whitten, fitness supervisor. “So movement is crucial for anyone, but especially our aging population. They don’t have opportunities that younger generations do for community or a sense of belonging.”
The health fair provided opportunities to experience various ways to stay active and healthy as well as independent.
“Just an ability to connect and enjoy life, and having a community to be involved in,” Whitten said. “It is so important, on top of fighting off things like osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, blood pressure, cholesterol.”
Sandy Wethington Johnson exercises with the Forever Fit class during the National Senior Health and Fitness Day event at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center on Wednesday.
Volunteers and staff from various Memorial Health departments were available to discuss the health benefits of their multiple services. Thyroid screenings were one of the services offered during Wednesday’s event.
“They can actually check your thyroid and see if you have any nodules,” said Dave Overlot, executive director of radiology.
With a few questions of their own, the staff also offered information on heart scans and lung cancer. “I’ve seen no smokers today,” Overlot said.
Since 2007, Marge Overlot has volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital in various departments. She insists the work has been good for her health. “When you volunteer, you know you’ve done something worthwhile for somebody,” she said. “It’s probably the most worthwhile thing I ever did.”
Mark Davis, manager of volunteer services at Memorial Health, matches the volunteers with their abilities and interests. “Some people are interested in dealing with the public, patients and visitors,” he said. “Some of them want to be in an office.”
Decatur Memorial Health sonographer Erin Beeson administers an ultrasound for thyroid nodules on Linda Schutte during the National Senior Health and Fitness Day event at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center on Wednesday.
Along with mental health, volunteering is good for physical health, Davis said. “You do get some exercise if you’re walking around,” he said.
According to Marge Overlot, age is not important when volunteering. “It’s just such a worthwhile job,” she said. “It’s a learning environment.”
As the song “Lovely Day” played from speakers, Liz Bartimus, 65, finished exercising with the Forever Fit class led by Whitten.
“I’m so thankful for this program,” said Bartimus. “My whole life changed.”
As someone who started later in life, Bartimus wants to encourage anyone who thinks they can’t do it to go for it. She said she used to exercise, but Whitten taught her how to exercise better, and she has lost 40 pounds. The program improves flexibility, endurance, and strength with low-impact interval training, dance fitness, and rowing. Bartimus said thanks to the program she is excited to be able to go hiking in the mountains with her grandchildren soon.
13 photos of Decatur’s Joyland Amusement Park
View from Lake Shore Drive
1963: Preparations being made on Nelson Park’s Joyland for opening has come to a halt during the drizzle. The amusement area which is to feature 10 to 12 rides for children, has been under fire by residents because of its appearance and possible increases in traffic congestion. This is how it appears Lake Shore Drive.
Super slide
1970: There is fun for all on the super slide at Joyland.
Resident’s eye view
1963: Residents of Lake Shore Drive looking east have this view of an amusement park being developed in Nelson Park under a lease from the Park District to Kenneth Phillips, of Bloomington. A number of rides, including a roller coaster and a miniature train, are being installed and a miniature golf course will be built.
Miniature golf course
1968: A miniature golf course in Joyland is a favorite spot of many Decatur residents on summer nights.
Joyland train
1963: Putting the finishing touches on the freshly-painted Wabash miniature train is Chester Bradley, right. The train will run along the Joyland amusement area in Nelson Park. Owen Lehman, paint shop inspector, loos over the painting job which was done in the Wabash shop.
Giant Slide
1975: The giant slide remains standing in Joyland amid the debris left after the other equipment was removed.
Dismantling Joyland
1975: Dismantling Joyland, Decatur’s defunct amusement park, goes on as workers like Jerry Carber of Evansville, Ind., cart away rides sold recently at auction. Carber works for Roth Amusements, which operates Mattoon Beach on Lake Mattoon.
Derailed train car
1969: This car of the miniature train at Joyland in Nelson Park lies on its side where it came to rest after being knocked from the tracks. Three young persons were injured.
Controversy
1963: Youngsters ride, impervious of controversy surrounding the location of Joyland set up on Lake Shore Drive.
Blue Bird
1969: Never fear, fans of the Blue Bird. Even if the Norfolk & Western Railway Co. is successful in discontinuing its Blue Bird run to Chicago, Nelson Park’s Joyland ride will keep the memory alive.
Awaiting sale of equipment
1975: Joyland Amusement Park awaits the sale of its equipment.
Auction block
1975: Joyland will go on the auction block. The Decatur Park board took an official hands off policy in the matter, despite Joyland’s consistent profit for the district. Operators of the amusement park, who pay the district an annual concession fee, are forced to sell after defaulting on a loan due to a court decision.
Airview
1963: Among projects nearing completion in the city is this public-private joint venture–the new children’s amusement park. The park, named Joyland, is being built by Kenneth Phillips of Bloomington on land leased from the Park District for 10 years. Phillips has been aiming for a May 30 opening. Some residents of the area have prepared a petition seeking to stop Joyland from operating.
Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR
