Circle of Friends opens in Conway; hosts grand opening in October

By Gina Mazza

The highly anticipated opening of Circle of Friends in Conway has finally arrived! About a year after the Baden center was closed, Circle of Friends has relocated to 305 11th Street and Third Avenue in Conway.

The soft opening occurred on June 1, and the center will host an official grand opening celebration in early November—date to be announced soon. Christine Albaugh is serving as the director of both the Conway and New Brighton Circle of Friends locations.

The new Conway center, which is open every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. has already been going strong with a full roster of activities.

“We are very excited to be in Conway,” comments Susan Scott, manager at Conway Circle of Friends. “A lot of folks from the former Baden center are returning and new people are learning about the new center all the time—mostly by word of mouth. New members are joining every week. We’re also excited about all of the activities that we have planned. Everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying being able to get together again.”

Regular weekly activities are:

Lunch: Served every day at noon

Bingo: Mondays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon

Healthy Steps in Motion (chair exercise): Mondays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon

Pinochle: First and third Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bowling: Second Wednesday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Baden Bowl

Pancakes and Pokeno: Fourth Wednesday of the month; pancakes served from 9 to 10:30 a.m. followed by Pokeno from 10:30 a.m. to noon

Make It, Take It Mondays: Make a craft that you can take home on the third Monday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon

Easy Recipes: Learn about recipes and desserts that are easy to make for one person on the second Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon

Green Thumb Gardening Class: Do garden planting from a raised tabletop on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon

In addition to regularly scheduled activities, members can enjoy access to an exercise room with a treadmill, bike, stepper and a recumbent bike; a library room where they can both take out and donate books; a craft room; a puzzle table; a tech room where members can learn how to use iPad and mobile devices; and a pool table room with brand new equipment. All lunches and bingo are held in the dining hall.

Another popular feature is the center’s Lunch and Learn series, where members can stay informed and learn useful tips while enjoying their lunches. Currently, health and nutrition expert Julia Evans from Adagio Health in Beaver County is presenting information about the benefits of nutrition, healthy eating, tai chi and gentle exercise.

Come in and join the fun!

To learn more about Circle of Friends Conway, visit circleoffriendsbeaver.com, call (724) 869-4224 or email susanscottcof@gmail.com.