The first day of the Alberta 55 Plus Games was a busy one. After finding my way through Edmonton, I arrived at the Lions’ Centre in time to begin the Scrabble competition.
There were three games scheduled before lunch and another three in the afternoon. Each player has 25 minutes to play the tiles they have drawn during the game. Remembering to hit the time clock after figuring out your score and writing down your word and that of your component is often more challenging than finding a spot to play your word.
Lunch was provided for the competitors and the volunteers. Choice of ham, tuna or egg salad sandwich, some fruit and a cookie. Perfect meal for us hungry seniors.
In the evening there was a banquet held at the Expo Centre. I found my way across town and waited in the parking lot until it was time to go in. I joined a team of bowlers who finished their first day in second place. They were delighted that their team’s average was a personal best that day.
The entertainment for the banquet included the musical humour show of Bare ‘n Von Hair.
This duo consists of Canadian musicians Matt Day on piano and Gord Graber on drums. They rewrote the words to many familiar songs to fit the seniors of these games and we enjoyed singing along to music of the Beatles, Elvis, and Simon and Garfunkel. Their skits were hilarious and we all had a great time.
Good food, meeting new friends, and enjoying the entertainment of Bare N Von Hair was an enjoyable way to end the first day of competition.
Kudos to the host committee, the event coordinators and all the friendly volunteers. The Games could not have happened without all these people volunteering their time.
