The Attractions Of Fun Bring

Old Friends And Young Friends Together

By Nancy K. Crevier

“Mackenzie is really a very special young lady,” said Newtown Senior Center Director Marilyn Place, Wednesday afternoon, March 23, as she looked out over tables filled with young people and senior citizens playing cards and board games. In the next room, the sound of cues clicking against pool balls added background noise. “Cy’s [Dennerlein] been teaching Baxter to play pool,” said Ms Place.

Mackenzie Page, 13, a seventh grade student at Newtown Middle School, is the organizer of “The Bridge,” a cross-generational gathering that takes place every Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Road Senior Center, said Ms Place. “The Bridge” is Mackenzie and a core group of seventh graders that includes Kati Moses, Elizabeth Wolf, Amanda Tramposch, Amy Pruner, Lydia Field, and Emma Wolfman — and fourth grader Baxter Page, whose fourth grade community service project last November was the spark that lit the fire for his older sister.

“Baxter and some friends came to the center to play games with the seniors, and Mackenzie came along,” said the Page children’s mother, Liz Page, who serves as “chauffeur” for her children and a few others each week. “They had so much fun, they wanted to come back,” said Ms Page.

“It felt really good to come here,” said Mackenzie, “so I thought it would be fun to set up a school club to do that.” That idea did not pan out, as she envisioned an ongoing project and the teachers she approached viewed it as a “one-time thing.” That did not stop the energetic teenager, though. “I decided to do it on my own,” she said.

Mackenzie met with Ms Place in December to present her project. “I made up a notebook of ideas that the different generations could do together,” said Mackenzie, who is also a member of Newtown Girl Scout Troop 50891.

“I was really impressed with her,” said Ms Place, so she agreed to give the group a try. “The seniors love it,” said Ms Place, “and we usually have at least 12 members here, and sometimes up to eight of the kids at a time. They play Wii bowling, pool, card games, board games, and the kids even brought in cookies the week of St Patrick’s to decorate with the seniors,” she said. Plans are in place for Easter egg dyeing the end of April, as well.

Because many of the older members no longer have young grandchildren, The Bridge keeps them in touch with the younger generation, Ms Place said, and makes them feel younger. “The kids keep the seniors updated on what’s going on in the school and with their lives, and they teach each other. Baxter even teaches chess, which is great for our chess players here who haven’t had anyone to play,” she said. “It’s awesome. It’s something different, and the members all look forward to it,” said Ms Place.

“It is fun to have the kids come in,” said regular center member Fred Hurst, and Dorothy Bartlett agreed, adding, “I enjoy the time with the kids.”

The Bridge is a true path back and forth between the generations, with the young people bringing in new games and new ideas to the members, and the seniors teaching the youngsters games they may not have known. There is an atmosphere of ease between the generations as they play, almost like extended family.

“What I love about coming here is that it’s cool to connect the generations,” said Mackenzie. “I think it’s not something a lot of other kids do. I’ve learned how to play Wii bowling, Rummy Cube, and a card game called Set Back. And we have taught the seniors to play Mexican Train, a sort of dominoes board game,” she said.

Not just those who attend the Wednesday afternoon sessions benefit, though. “The kids then teach their own families some of the games we’ve taught them,” said Aida Reiske.

What started as a way to wile away one afternoon each week of a very long and cold winter has turned out to be so successful, that both seniors and youth are looking forward to continuing the relationship into the spring and summer months.

“I have some warm weather ideas,” said Mackenzie. “We could maybe do lunch together or a picnic when it’s nice and everyone is free [from school], or set up the shuffle board and play. It would be nice to just spend some time outside, too,” she said.

“I am astounded by these kids,” Ms Place said. “This has been so wonderful.”