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Golden Agers Dance Group Seeks New Members
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Senior citizens from around the Riverbank area gathered recently at the Community Center to celebrate the holidays with a little music and dancing to close out their weekly Golden Agers get together for 2019. Ric McGinnis/The News

The Golden Agers had their final gathering of 2019 and celebrated the holidays recently, and now are looking forward to continuing the weekly dances in the new year. The food, music, dancing and friendships are major factors that have kept people coming back, including those that have been long time members like Vice President Lupe Padron and President Dee Mulligan.

The Riverbank Ramblers Band entertained the group of about 50 that attended the Christmas-year end party on a recent Wednesday, as the Riverbank Community Center was filled with good tidings. Mulligan expressed that they need more people to join the club and are opening it up to anyone and not only senior citizens. Membership is also open to those throughout the region, including Oakdale, Escalon, Valley Home, Knights Ferry, Farmington and beyond, not just Riverbank. The attendance has been low in recent months and the effort is on to bring that membership back up in 2020. The public is welcomed to stop by for a visit on any given Wednesday to listen to some live music, watch some talented dancers, and eat some good food. Guests do not have to be members to participate in the festivities. The group meets from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We need more members,” stressed Mulligan. “I would like to encourage people to come by. It is a really good time. We have some really good dancers that are fun to watch and they really could be professional dancers.”

In the new year Mulligan will be stepping down as President and passing the baton to Padron. Both ladies have been members for many years and have taken the President duties multiple times. The local band has been playing for the Golden Agers for the past four years.

“I have been here for 14 years,” Mulligan said, adding that the holiday gathering was a festive note on which to end their year. “Our luncheon was very nice. We had four tables full of food. We decorated the tables and the band was fantastic. It was a lovely time.”

Most members expressed how thankful they are that the Riverbank Golden Agers exist and that if it wasn’t for them they probably wouldn’t have the chance for much socialization outside their home. The time to mingle, get their groove on and eat good food for a few hours brings goodness to each of their lives.

The first Wednesday of every month they will be serving biscuits and gravy that is specially made by one of the members. They invite everyone to come enjoy a tasty bite. They have potlucks throughout the year incorporating the seasons and the holidays. The fun will continue in 2020 starting on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

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A group of line dancers circulate around the dance floor at the Golden Agers holiday celebration at the Community Center recently. The group of senior citizens gets together each Wednesday to dance, talk, eat some snacks and just have fun. Ric McGinnis/The News