Carbon County seniors, listen up!

It's that time of year again to dust off your bowling shoes, loosen up your throwing arms and brush up on your card skills.The 26th annual Carbon County Senior Games will be held May 6 through May 15. Last year, over 200 county residents took part in the games.Registration is now open for all county residents ages 60 and older who want to meet new people, reminisce with old friends and compete to win a medal.Anne Horrigan, coordinator of the games, explained that registration forms were sent to past participants, but anyone who has not received a form or would like to join for the first time can contact any of the Carbon County senior centers or the Area Agency on Aging office in Palmerton.Forms are due back to the senior center or Area Agency on Aging office no later than Friday, April 18.Horrigan added that she urges the area residents ages 60 through 69 who haven't tried the games to sign up and see what the games are all about.Teams include North Carbon County (Panther Valley, Jim Thorpe and Weatherly seniors) and South Carbon County (Palmerton and Lehighton).Events include shuffleboard, bean bag toss, basketball shoot, darts, pool, miniature golf, bowling, ping pong, a one-mile walk, softball throw, horseshoes, bocci, bingo, pinochle, rummy and dancing.Victor Pituch, director of the games, noted that the bocci event at Baer Memorial Field will now be played on real bocci ball courts that were built by an area student.One change in location is planned, Horrigan noted.The location of the annual banquet, held at the conclusion of the games, will be at Whispering Pines Banquet Hall at the Penn Forest Township Fire Company No. 1 in Jim Thorpe.Previously it was held at Mahoning Ambulance building and Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall.Pituch added that senior centers have been practicing for the competitions all year.The gym area at the Lehighton Recreation Center is available to any team during Lehighton Senior Center hours.Sponsors are also needed to make this annual event a success.Letters have been sent out to all past donors, but any business who would like to become a sponsor should call Horrigan at 1-800-441-1315. Donations are needed by April 18 to allow for ads to be placed in the annual senior games program."We're looking forward to another great year," Horrigan said.Schedule of eventsHere is the list of events to help you decide which competitions you want to sign up for.The events will take place at the Lehighton Recreation Center, 243 S. Eighth St., beginning at 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted:• Tuesday, May 6, opening ceremonies, shuffleboard, team pictures and bean bag toss.Organizers ask participants to bring one nonperishable food item that will be collected and donated to the food bank.• Wednesday, May 7, basketball shoot and darts.• Thursday, May 8, pool: there are three locations. Terpstra's, located at 501 North St., Jim Thorpe; Jim Thorpe/Penn-Kidder Senior Center, 995 Route 903, Jim Thorpe; and Panther Valley Senior Center, Catawissa Street, Nesquehoning.The schedule is as follows: at Terpstra's, 9 a.m., men ages 70-74; 10 a.m., women 70-74; 11 a.m., men 75-79; noon, women 75-79. At Jim Thorpe/Penn-Kidder Senior Center, 9 a.m., men 65-69; 10 a.m., women 65-69; 11 a.m., men 60-64; 11:30 a.m., women 60-64. At the PV Senior Center, 9 a.m., men 80-84; 10 a.m., women 80-84; 11 a.m., men 85 and up; 11:30 a.m., women 85 and up.• Friday, May 9, miniature golf: 10 a.m. at Heisler's Dairy Bar, Tamaqua.• Monday, May 12, 8:30 a.m., bowling (65-69, 70-74 and 80-84 age groups) at Fritz's Lanes and Pro Shop, Second and South streets, Lehighton and (60-64, 75-79 and 85 and up age groups) at Cypress Lanes, Fourth Street, Lehighton. Noon, ping pong at Lehighton Recreation Center.• Tuesday, May 13, Philip Steigerwalt Memorial Walk, softball throw, horseshoes and bocci. These events will take place at Baer Memorial Park.• Wednesday, May 14, Bingo, pinochle and rummy, and dance competition.• Thursday, May 15, rain date for Tuesday, May 13, and 4 p.m., banquet at Whispering Pines Banquet Hall, Penn Forest Township Fire Company No. 1.