Bloomfield Township - February 2023

How is the new year going for you? Ours is off with a bang! Do you have a resolution for more social connections? Our spring catalog is filled with many opportunities to meet, travel, move, learn and connect. There are more trips, aquatic classes, and presentations which may just lead to more friendships as well.

Ayse Birsel, author of “Design the Long Life You Love, A Step-By-Step Guide to Love, Purpose, Well-Being, and Friendship,” discusses the importance of forming relationships and strengthening human connections for mental and physical health. I too, am a firm believer in the value of regularly adding to your social network for diversity, development, and of course, delight.

Birsel even advises us to “seek friendship factories.” I love this metaphor and am adopting it for BTSS – what a fun way to describe “building community,” one of the three pillars of our mission.

Camaraderie is an intangible benefit from involvement with the BTSS “friendship factory.” Or is it? Research continues to show that belonging is a basic human need that influences longevity and mental health. The center has a treasured reputation for being a welcoming environment, which starts with staff but builds with the variety of people engaged. Our customers represent three generations, from people in their 50s though those in their 90s, who have intriguing histories, friendly personalities and a shared goal for living their best life.

New initiatives include:

A dozen day trips with art, historical and musical venues as well as tours of area senior living communities. There are eight lunch and learn programs covering nutrition, safety, and health. New fitness classes include LaBlast Splash in the warm water pool and golf conditioning for your best season ever. Fitness schedules can be found here: https://bit.ly/FitnessSchedules.

Join us for a Spring Fling on Fat Tuesday with live jazz, and help cheer loudly during our watch party for Tigers Opening Day. Happily, we have a growing relationship with the very talented students at Bloomfield Hills High School, who will be popping over for live performances. Be sure to sign up for our weekly eNews for details to come. https://bit.ly/BTSSeNews. Suggestions for programs and presentations are always welcome! ctvaroha@bloomfieldtwp.org

Finally, our center transportation service is available Monday through Friday, which allows us to enhance your participation by bringing township residents to and from the center. Please help us share this very good news with your friends, family and neighbors.

Wishing you a year filled with purpose, joy and connection.

Christine Tvaroha is Director of Senior Services for Bloomfield Township