Browning Opens Doors For Community Gatherings, Education
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Opening up its doors to the community is nothing new for Browning Masonic Community.
So when Owens Community College asked the Waterville-based independent living facility to open its doors for a cooperative education series, the answer was an easy one, said marketing director Tara Lloyd.
The No Limits Educational Series, which began last week, includes Zumba, a combination of Latin and international music with aerobic and fitness-style dance steps; Cold Porcelain, a class utilizing cold porcelain techniques to mold colorful artwork without firing; and Lego Engineering, for ages 8 to 12.
Residents of Browning’s 47 apartments and 15 villas will most likely form an audience for the children in the Lego class, Lloyd said, just as they watch the special needs softball team, the Anthony Wayne High School boys lacrosse and girls rugby teams, and local preschool soccer and T-ball teams – who all use Browning’s sprawling grounds for practice and games.
“You’ll see residents take their lawn chairs out there to cheer on the players,” said Sharon Elliott, marketing coordinator.
Pairing up residents with community members has been an ongoing goal since opening 27 years ago, Lloyd said.
Browning hosts a variety of events to bring not only sports teams, but educators and retirees from the Anthony Wayne area and beyond.
“One of the fears when retiring is that they’ll lose the connection to the community. But our community events draw in like-minded people to help them feel connected,” Lloyd said. “Community members who may not have known each other end up making new friends.”
Former Waterville mayor Chuck Peyton further encouraged the idea with Browning when he asked what could be done about the town’s lack of a senior center.
In the past five years, Browning has added new events, such as the Browning Brunch Bunch, held the third Tuesday of each month, which includes a free breakfast and entertaining topics. The September 16 brunch will feature a talk by Clint Mauk, the local author of Tales of Toledo.
Browning’s Lunch and Learn, held the first Thursday of every month, focuses on providing an educational topic and a $5.00 lunch. The October 2 lunch will feature Adrian Brown, who will explain the benefits of the Healthways Silver Sneakers Fitness Program.
Simple gatherings such as bunco games the first Friday of each month bring in active adults ages 55 and older from the Monclova Community Center. The dozen or more gathered last Friday at Browning were laughing, snacking and rolling the dice for several prizes while playing the easy-to-learn game.
The Browning Travel Club offers one-tank bus trips, such as the September 24 trip to see Say Goodnight Gracie in Detroit’s Gem Theatre.
Wakeman Lodge, on site at Browning Masonic Community, is home to the Rubicon and Swanton Masonic Lodges and an Eastern Star chapter.
Down the hall from the lodge, beauty salon and exercise room is a renovated Harmony Hall, which seats 80 and has a multi-media theater system and airy restaurant setting. Harmony Hall is open for use by local groups.
For more information on Browning, go to www.ohiomasonichome.org. Browning is located just north of US 24 at Neowash Road, two miles east of Waterville.
To sign up for classes, contact Owens at (567) 661-7357 or go to www.owens.edu and look under workforce development.