Wauwatosa Senior Club deals card games, outings, lasting friendships

For the past 15 years, Joan Borris has had the same plans Tuesdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Wauwatosa Civic Center — dealing hands upon hands of Bridge with her girlfriends.

Clara Kuranz, Stephanie Sander and Pat Graham join Borris on Tuesdays for the Wauwatosa Senior Club. It gives them something to do, they said.

"This is my weekly laugh," said Graham, 67, a Wauwatosa resident. In between dealing hands of Bridge, the ladies laugh, share fine chocolates and say anything they want to with each other.

"Mostly we laugh," she said.

The Wauwatosa Senior Club group meets Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays for card play, Bingo, coffee, lunch, book discussions and special outings and programs. Senior aerobics is also offered Tuesdays and Fridays. Seniors can join with a yearly membership fee of only $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents

"It fills the day with friends and camaraderie," said program coordinator Kathy Gagas. "They look forward to coming every week."

Sander described the culture of the group as "young at heart." Many of the Senior Club members are involved in other card-playing groups and organizations. Graham participates in a movie and book club and plays golf with Kuranz.

Nada Bevic, 93, is the second-oldest member of Senior Club (the oldest is 96 years old) and serves as the Tuesday group's "president."

"I've lost track of how long I've been coming," Bevic said. "It's a place that is your own with people your own age group and have the same experiences up to that point."

While many attendees play games of Bridge, Progressive Rummy and Sheepshead, Fridays offer alternative programs such as Bingo, book discussions and special speakers.

"There's something for everybody," Graham said.

On Friday, June 6, local Wauwatosa author Shirlee Monty will present her experience meeting Wisconsin's "rain man," Leslie Lemke. Lemke is one of the most musically-gifted savants in the world. Monty's books, "May's Boy" and "May's Boy: The Rest of the Story," will be discussed along with a video of Lemke.

Most Senior Club presentations are open to the public. Those interested in joining Senior Club are encouraged to attend one session and decide if they want to join, Gagas said.

Senior Club meets Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wauwatosa Civic Center, 7635 W North Ave.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

What: Wauwatosa author Shirlee Monty will present her book on meeting Leslie Lemke, one of the most musically-gifted savants in the world.

Where: Wauwatosa Civic Center, 7635 W North Ave.

When: Friday, June 6, at 12:45 p.m.

Cost: Free and open to the public