Excellent Turnout For Four-County Senior Games

Potter County Today

More than 150 people, including dozens from Potter County Senior Centers, gathered at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Friday for the annual Four-County Senior Games. Potter County’s representatives competed for prizes while enjoying a day of camaraderie with other contestants from McKean, Cameron and Elk counties. Among the winners was Blaine Stauffer (shown) of the St. Marys Senior Center, who demonstrated his skills in horseshoe-pitching.

Mark Benson, director of coordinated services for Potter County Human Services, once again served as chairman of the organizing committee. He first became involved in the Senior Games in 1986 and agreed to chair the event the following year. Twenty-four years later, he is still in charge.

Benson was joined by several Potter County Human Services employees in helping to assure that things ran smoothly. He reported that the turnout of 245 people this year — including volunteers and organizers — was about 15 percent higher than the 2009 event, due in part to the ideal weather conditions. Events ranged from a one-mile walk and croquet to darts and softball throwing. One popular addition to the schedule of events was Wii bowling, a video game that promotes exercise