Follow up from our tour of the Leon Mann Center

All were impressed and surprised at the number of activities, the facilities, and the energy of the Leon Mann Center.

Based on the positive experience, I met with Center Director Keisha Williams and Fitness Director Kaylee Wolf about bringing exercise activities to Pine Knoll Shores on a weekly basis.

A four-step plan was outlined for getting individuals to the Leon Mann Center on May 29 for the Health and Fitness Day to experience the type of class that could ‘travel’ to PKS.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get clearance from the Town to pursue this option so we didn’t broadly advertise it.

Council members interested in attending on their own were emailed reminders of the Health and Fitness Day and, hopefully, several attended.

I remain optimistic this initiative will ultimately be successful. I’ll keep you posted.

To grow our awareness/build a broader awareness base, all were asked to reach out to their local church and tell them about us.

This can be done by placing an announcement in your church bulletins and/or speaking to your minister/pastor/priest/rabbi letting him know who we are.

Our brochures and talking points were distributed to all. All were asked to put their name, church and contact month on a sign-up sheet.

John Clarke and John Macheca both signed up for St. Francis. Thank you!

I would love to see this list expanded.

Awareness

To grow our awareness/build a broader awareness base, all were asked to reach out to each regularly scheduled town meeting group: Parks and Recreation Meeting, Strategic Planning Committee, Appearance Commission, and Planning Board.

Meeting schedules, times and locations are below. All were asked to put their name and contact month on a sign-up sheet.

• One-two individuals should be at Town Hall/Safety Building at least 15-20 minutes before each meeting to greet participants and local citizens, hand out a COA brochure, ask what they would like us to focus on in the next 9 to 12 months, and invite to a meeting. OK to leave once the meeting gets started.
• Each Council person should have brochures and talking points.
• Report what you learned at the next COA meeting.

Thanks to ALL who signed up!

• Bill Douglas – Strategic Planning in June
• Ann Bures – Appearance Committee in May
• Michelle Powers – Planning Board in May
• Ike Pipkin – Board of Commissioners
• Parks and Rec still needs a volunteer.

It was suggested that we also have a presence for events where there are many attendees, e.g., on Election Day, the PKA HOA Annual meeting, and at book clubs anyone is a member of. Let me know of your interest.

New Business

Ideas for future forums

Status of local economic development, funeral preparations, assisted living options including memory care, estate planning, veterans’ services, dating options for seniors. Feel free to add ideas.

Facebook Group

Our Facebook entry is undergoing some changes to make it a bit more professional and interesting.

Community Research

Residents are being encouraged to participate in the research being conducted by KC Busch on Resilience: How Towns Make Decisions.

Contact the Strategic Planning Committee if you are interested in knowing more.

Business Cards

Most members preferred a simple style business card for the group. Cards will distributed at the next meeting.

Agenda

Everyone was impressed and pleasantly surprised by the range of activities, facilities, and the vibrant atmosphere at the Leon Mann Center.

Following this positive experience, I met with Center Director Keisha Williams and Fitness Director Kaylee Wolf to discuss the possibility of bringing exercise activities to Pine Knoll Shores on a weekly basis.

Is this what we want to do?

Recommendations

If yes, this is a suggested plan:

Step 1 – meet with Julie A. and John B. to get sign off on bringing exercise classes to PKS.

Step 2 – get PKS residents familiar with the exercises that are available at the Leon Mann Center and can be offered at PKS. Encourage participation in National Senior Health and Fitness Day at the Center on May 29, 2024 from 9:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

For those who prefer not to drive to the Center, we can arrange a van to pick up individuals at Town Hall at 8:30 a.m. and return folks at the close of the activities.

Please let me or Ann Bures know if you would like this transportation.

Step 3 – confirm interest in specific classes which can ‘travel’, e.g., Tai Chi for Arthritis and Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, Chair Yoga, Silver Sneakers. Classes would be once a week on Thursdays 8 a.m. or 2 p.m.

There is no charge to participants or the town; donations to the Leon Mann Center are requested, but not required.

Step 4 – Secure space for these classes and commit to support these classes by promoting them to build regular attendance.

New Business

To grow our awareness/build a broader awareness base, let’s reach out to local churches and tell them about us.

Please insert an announcement in your church bulletin, speak to your minister/pastor/priest/rabbi letting him know who we are. Take brochures and talking points. Sign up; Let me know which churches you will be speaking to.

To grow our awareness/build a broader awareness base, let’s also reach out to each group at the beginning of their town meetings: Parks and Recreation Meeting, Strategic Planning Committee, Appearance Commission, and Planning Board.

Meeting schedules, times and locations are below. Sign up.

• One-two individuals should be at Town Hall/Safety Building at least 15-20 minutes before each meeting to greet participants, hand out a COA brochure, ask what they would like us to focus on in the next 9 to 12 months, and invite to a meeting. OK to leave once the meeting gets started.
• Each Council person should have brochures and talking points.
• Report what you learned at the next COA meeting.

Should we have a corresponding secretary? Comments? Thoughts?

The June meeting has been cancelled; there are no minutes.