Seniors show off their athletic skills

Elise Gee

FAIRGROUNDS -- Ethel Lerner’s training regimen for her blue

ribbon-winning bowling game didn’t come from hours of practice -- it was

crosswords.

Lerner, 86, competed Wednesday along with nearly 400 other seniors in

the 12th Annual Senior Games at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Lerner scored two strikes during the bowling competition, earning

herself a blue ribbon.

“The real secret of staying young is keeping your mind active,” said

Lerner, who uses newspapers, magazines, crossword puzzles and news shows

to keep her mind sharp. “Keep your mind active and your body will stay

active with it.”

The Orange County Activity Director’s Assn. began hosting senior games

20 years ago in the parking lots and lawns of various nursing homes. The

Orange County Fair became a sponsor 12 years ago.

The event gives seniors opportunities to succeed and helps them keep

their quality of life high, said Candace Bartsch, spokeswoman for the

association.

Seniors participated in events such as baseball, volleyball, discus,

wheelchair races and horseshoes. But the thing that caught 79-year-old

Dorothy Nix’s eye was the target shooting. After watching one of her

peers raise the air-powered paint-ball gun to his eye, Nix was determined

to be part of the action.

“I want to try that,” she said with excitement.

Others, such as 4-H’er Charles Agnus, tired themselves out during the

warmup exercises. Agnus shot numerous baskets during warmup, but had just

enough energy to shoot two baskets and earn himself a ribbon for the

effort.

Sisters Carol Oliver and Betty Sue Reed both flew down from Northern

California to watch their mother Jane Oliver compete.

Oliver, 79, has come to the event every year since it began. She

nearly missed coming this year because of leg surgery but was determined

to compete in her favorite event, the discus.

“It’s so important to her to look forward to this every year,” Carol

Oliver said. “It’s what keeps her going.”