Keeping creative

Each month, there is one activity at the New Merkel House that manager Melanie Perry said is the most popular with Vestavia Hills seniors: Art with Tina.

Tina Chaffin has been teaching art classes monthly at the New Merkel House for several years now, and spends much of her personal time as a hobbyist painter.

Chaffin said she first got involved with the New Merkel House after attending an event and seeing the need for volunteers.

“That’s how I got to know people out there, and just realized they needed some help,” Chaffin said.

After consulting with program officials, Chaffin said that the first session she did was a pumpkin painting project for Halloween.

“It just kind of went from there,” she said.

Now, Chaffin leads a one-hour art class each month, usually themed for whatever holiday is taking place around the time of the class.

On Feb. 13, Chaffin led seniors in a combination Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras project, where they were able to paint clay heart ornaments as part of the holiday festivities.

Chaffin said that she’s had nothing but positive feedback from the seniors, and sees it as a way to both enrich their lives and inspire confidence.

“It makes me proud when they realize that they can do it, and they can produce it,” she said. “Just because they’re seniors they shouldn’t feel that they can’t do it.”

For those who may be skeptical of their artistic skills, Chaffin said that they should give it a try, as her projects are on a level open to everyone.

“Everyone has a little bit of art in them,” she added.

For information about upcoming classes and activities at the New Merkel Center, contact Melanie Perry at 967-5977.

OLLI UPDATE

This month, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will offer a variety of special features this month on top of the organization’s regular programming.

On March 1, Sam Frazier will be speaking at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest about The Great Depression, how it happened and its lasting effects. The following day at the Homewood Public Library, March 2, Richard Rhone will give a talk on the life of Betsy Ross and her influence on the American Revolution.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

New Merkel House:

► Mondays through Fridays: Lunch and fellowship, 11:45 a.m.

► Wednesdays and Fridays: Bingo, 11 a.m.

► Mondays and Wednesdays: Exercise, 10:30 a.m.

► Thursdays: Tech Talks

► March 14: Art with Tina, 10:30 a.m.

► March 16: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 11:45 a.m.

For more information, please contact Melanie Perry at 967-5977.

Other Senior Events:

► March 12: Senior Association luncheon, 11:30 a.m.