Planning committee member Margaret Ching and Frank McNally, who is organizing the curling tournament, will also be participating.

Souris will be hosting the area's first annual 55 Plus Winter Games next week to help seniors stay active. A curling competition will be held at the Eastern Kings Sportsplex, well known for its good ice, on Wednesday, January 12 and the other events, including bowling, cribbage, 45s, bridge, washer toss, skiing, darts and the timed walk will be held at various facilities in the community on Saturday, January 15. "We needed to get seniors active," Colleen MacGregor, Recreation Director for the Eastern Kings Sports Council said. "We need more activity for seniors." She also said the Games would help people meet their New Year's fitness resolutions.

There have been other 55 Plus Games in the province, planning committee member Joe Sharkey said, but this will be the first in the eastern end of the Island.

"Part of what they have been noticing is (the Games) were held by the larger centres on the Island. And they were finding the bulk of the participants were from the urban centres, not as much West Prince and eastern PEI."

The provincial organizers then suggested the rural areas host their own local mini-games. O’Leary held theirs last year and while modest its organizers thought it was successful, Mr Sharkey said.

The Eastern Kings organizers modelled the events after the popular ones of the provincial and O’Leary Games.

Snacks will be available during the events and afterwards there will be a medal ceremony and time for socializing, when chili will be served.

"We want to make it a fun thing, so people will come back next year," organizer Margaret Ching said.

Mr. Sharkey urged people interested in participating to sign up as soon as possible.

"Time is running out," he said.

While the committee expects most people to come from the northeastern part of the province, all Islanders are welcome.

Ms. Ching was expecting between 50 and 75 participants, "but it would be lovely to get 100."

Those 55 and over interested in participating can call Ms. Macgregor at 969-0309 for registration information. The registration fee for most events is $5 and curling is $15.

Storm date is tentatively scheduled for January 19.

By Jonathan Charlton and published January 5, 2011 in the Eastern Graphic.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard