Alpharetta, Milton Seniors Get Their Game On

Bettye Prescott of Roswell practices what she preaches and teaches. And she’s got her eyes on the prize.  

The spirited, retired Roswell North Elementary School physical education teacher and part-time Young Life Academy PE instructor is one of 275 senior adults from across north metro Atlanta registered for the 17th annual North Fulton Golden Games under way now through May 26. 

“Now it’s my turn to get to win a medal!” exclaimed Prescott, 69, who from 1978 to 2002 instilled health and wellness in hundreds of schoolchildren during her 24-year tenure. “With this year’s games I’ll be turning a new page in my book of life.”

The Golden Games goal is to promote and support healthy lifestyles of adults 50 and older through a variety of low-impact sports and recreational activities. 

And it’s as much about friendly competition as camaraderie.

“It’s just a great event to bring people together each year,” said Joyce Boddie, a Golden Games volunteer and current president of the Roswell Ramblers, a 50-and-older social club that promotes active lifestyles among its members. 

“We all support each other,” Boddie added. “And when we have a function like this, we are well-supported.”

That support is backed and staffed by a coalition of parks and recreation departments from across North Fulton County, including City of Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division; Milton Parks and Recreation Department; Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department; Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department; Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department; and Fulton County Human Services/Office of Aging. 

These shared resources provide participants venues as diverse as the games and activities themselves, said Alpharetta Parks & Recreation Deputy Director Lisa Cherry. 

“It’s everyone working together,” Cherry added. “And it’s a good feeling to be involved in this. You feel like you’re giving back. Who wouldn’t want to be around these folks with their spirit?” 

Some games participants during the three-week event will try their hand at a Frisbee hoop toss and horseshoes. 

Others will take a swing at a softball “pitch, hit and run” challenge. 

Still others may take on a 5K Mayor’s Challenge road race in Alpharetta on May 14. 

And for the technically adept–an indoor Wii video game bowling tournament projected on a freestanding screen in life-size dimension. 

For its part, Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division will host an interpretive, guided day hike at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve off Old Alabama Road. 

Another first for the games and Johns Creek is an inaugural Bunco dice game tournament at Newtown Park on May 20 at 10:30 a.m.

“It’s just great to be a part of this event and to support our seniors,” said Kirk Franz, Johns Creek parks manager. “And we’re excited to have some firsts in Johns Creek.”

By design, the Golden Games coincides with Older Americans Month, a national designation from the Department of Health and Human Services and Administration on Aging and National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 25. 

The games conclude May 26 with an awards luncheon at the Dorothy C. Benson Multipurpose Complex at 6500 Vernon Woods Drive in Sandy Springs at 10 a.m. 

For more information on the Golden Games, contact the City of Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division at 678-512-3200 or visit: 

www.johnscreekga.gov/Services/parks

www.roswellgov.com 

www.roswellramblers.org

Remaining Schedule Of Events: 

• Friday, May 6, 10 a.m.: Indoor Rock Climb (10 a.m.), Basketball Free Throw (11 a.m.), Upright Bikes (1 p.m.) at Alpharetta YMCA
• Friday, May 6, 7 p.m.: Dance Competitions at Roswell Adult Rec. Center
• Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m.: Bowling Tournament at Roswell Brunswick Lanes (additional fee is $10)
• Thursday, May 12, 10 a.m.: Autrey Mill Interpretive Hike Departs 9:30 a.m, Johns Creek 
• Friday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 17, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.: Tennis Tournament Competitive Level & Round Robin at Sandy Springs Tennis Center
• Saturday, May 14, 7:30 a.m.: 5k Road Race Mayors Challenge at Alpharetta (additional fee is $25)
• Monday, May 16, 3:30 p.m.: Badminton Tournament at East Roswell Rec. Center
• Monday, May 16, 6:30 p.m.: 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at Alpharetta Community Center
• Tuesday, May 17, 10 a.m.: Bridge Tournament at Huntcliff Summit, Sandy Springs
• Wednesday, May 18, 1 p.m.: Golf Tournament at Horseshoe Bend Country Club, Roswell (additional fee is $50 for individual which includes registration fee for NFGG and $ 200 per team)
• Thursday, May 19: Bocce A (Advanced/ Intermediate) players Tournament at Roswell Adult Rec. Center, Biathlon and Bocce B (Beginners) players Tournaments, 11:30 a.m, Billiards Tournament 1 pm
• Friday, May 20, 10:30 a.m.: Bunco-Fun with Dice at Newtown Park, Johns Creek. Shuttle Departs at 10 a.m. at Adult Rec. Center
• Monday, May 23, 10 a.m.: Swimming & Diving events at Wills Park Swimming Pool, Alpharetta
• Monday, May 23, 1 p.m.: Disc Golf at Wills Park Recreation Center, Alpharetta
• Tuesday, May 24:  Shuffleboard (10 a.m.), Horseshoe Toss- Golf Putt (11 a.m.), Table Tennis (1 p.m.) at Chambrel at Roswell
• Wednesday, May 25, 9:30 a.m.: National Senior Health and Fitness Day at Adult Rec. Center
• Thursday, May 26, 10 a.m.: Awards Luncheon at Dorothy Benson Center