Murphy – Nearly 200 senior residents of Cherokee and Clay counties are prepared to show their athleticism, competitiveness and artistry at the 2023 Senior Games & Silver Arts.
Some social ideologies refer to the aging population diminutively as “cute,” “ornery” or “little.” The participants in the Senior Games & Silver Arts shatter the infantilizing that can occurs as a human ages.
“The games are open for those residents 50 years and older,” said Terence Faries, coordinator for the Senior Games. “Everybody plays in five-year age divisions. We have one participant who entered three events in the 90-95 category.”
Her events? Bocce ball, shuffleboard and cornhole. If she wins, she will compete at the state games.
Terence and his wife, Chris, have been preparing for this since January.
“When we took over the role,” said Chris, coordinator for the Silver Arts, “we went through training courses in Raleigh to train for our positions.”
“Most of the state run their games through their parks and recreation services. The counties build the expense into the budget,” Terence said. “But here in Cherokee County, we’re just plain different.” There was no budget for the games in this area, so the organization operates as a 501(c)3.
“It’s all volunteer,” Chris said with a laugh.
“We work on preparing marketing materials, organization and planning,” Terence said.
While there is a modest entrance fee for participants – $10 for early birds, $15 for procrastinators – the bulk of their budget comes from sponsorships.
“We usually break even every year,” Terence said.
For their entrance fee, participants will receive a T-shirt, swag bag and, for the talented, a medal. An extra $5 will purchase dinner during the closing ceremonies banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Tri-County Community College in Peachtree.
The athletic side of the event includes such competitions in pickleball, swimming, track and field, and bowling. The events are peppered throughout town from Murphy’s Rock Gym to Mountain Harbor golf course in Hayesville to the Murphy Health & Fitness Center.
However, it’s on the art side that the region excels at the state competition level.
“We have over 30 categories,” Chris said. “The art is amazing in this community. Their talent is unbelievable. Last year, we took like 20 different arts pieces to state, all won gold but two pieces.”
Silver Arts competitors operate under two umbrellas – visual arts, containing photography, painting, mixed media and the larger category of heritage arts which includes stained glass, woodworking, quilting and blacksmithing. The work will be displayed in the Cherokee County Arts Council building during the Murphy Art Walk on Friday, May 5.
“Our mission is to promote and encourage healthy aging in seniors,” Chris said. “We want them to get up, get out and get moving.”
For details, visit www.cherokeecountyseniorgames.org.