Thursday, March 28, 2024

Southlake Senior Center Summer Socials

Summertime at the Southlake Senior Activity Center means plenty of social gathering opportunities!

The Senior Center is always bustling with activity. The summer months are no exception. June may be wrapping up, but there are plenty of special events to look forward to in the remaining months. Our staff works hard to provide social opportunities for our members, and our generous community sponsors help make that happen.

Mark your calendars for July 14, 26, and August 4 to enjoy delicious food socials at the Senior Center sponsored by Harbor Chase Southlake!

Let’s Eat Hot Dogs Social
July is Parks and Recreation Month and National Hot Dog Month, so why not grill some hot dogs, top it off with favorites, and visit with long-time friends? Join us at the Senior Center on Friday, July 14, at 11:30 AM as we get in the summer spirit with this summer-favorite meal! Hot dogs are delicious fresh off the grill. Socialize with old friends, makes some new ones, and enjoy dessert sponsored by Home Well! Claim your spot!

Lasagna Social
Everyone loves lasagna! This Italian comfort meal is the perfect accompaniment to good conversation. Come to the Senior Center on Wednesday, July 26, from 11:30- 12:30 to celebrate Lasagna Awareness Month! Everyone has heard of lasagna, but were you aware that the beloved dish may have originated in Naples, Italy, during the Middle Ages? We think this fun fact is molto benne! Register here.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Social
August 4 is National Chocolate Chip Cookies Day, and that’s a good enough excuse to eat some cookies and have a party! The Senior Center will provide freshly baked cookies, coffee, and tea as a sweet way to end the week. Be on the lookout for a registration link!

Don’t miss out on any of these delicious summer socials at the Southlake Senior Activity Center! Thanks again to our sponsors, Harbor Chase Southlake and Home Well, for making these world-class events possible for our members!

 

Southlake Salutes Veteran Bob “Xfeed” Watson

“Have a goal in life that is beyond yourself, have something big….and embrace that,” is the advice United States Navy Veteran Bob “Xfeed” Watson would have given his younger self after over two decades of service.

Watson, who is a Southlake resident, served in the armed forces for 24 years.

He earned his name “Xfeed,” pronounced as “Crossfeed” early in his pilot career when he attempted to balance the fuel tanks.

“I was going to be a good co-pilot and balance the fuel tanks while the aircraft commander was taking a restroom break. Well, I forgot it, didn’t tell anyone, and we got out of balance,” said Watson. “Eventually I had to admit it to the whole squadron and write a story for our safety magazine, etc. Ever since “Crossfeed” was my Navy Call sign.”

Call Signs are used as unique identifiers to military communications.  “It’s used on the radio so other pilots know who they are talking to,” Watson said.

Before he earned his stripes with a decorated military career, Watson was a young boy who just wanted to fly.

“I wanted to fly airplanes; I decided it when I was in high school, that is what I wanted to do,” Watson said.

He enrolled in the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut in 1973 and graduated in May of 1977.

Bob "Xfeed" Watson in Chase Hall 1974

Bob “Xfeed” Watson in Chase Hall 1974

At the time, graduating officers were required to complete at least one year of sea duty before applying for flight school.

Upon graduating, Watson reported for duty as a Deck Watch Officer on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Duane (WHEC-33) homeported in Portland, ME.

USCGC Duane

USCGC Duane

The ship was a 327-foot long high endurance cutter and had a 5-inch/38-gun mount as its main armament. It was also named after William J. Duane, who served as the third Secretary of the Treasury under President Andrew Jackson.

The ship was used mainly for search and rescue (SAR), fisheries, and law enforcement patrols by the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard had acquired the ship from the U.S. Navy after WWII where it served as a destroyer escort on convey duty in the North Atlantic.

He qualified as an Officer of the Deck (OOD) and served as a Gunnery Officer and Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer.

Watson noted that he learned so much about the ocean and the sea while he was out on patrol.

“We would go on long patrols for about five weeks at a time,” Watson said.

He also experienced waves that measured 60-feet high on one SAR mission.

The ship/USCGC Duane was decommissioned shortly after Watson left in 1979. The ship was sunk as an artificial reef off Key Largo in Florida in 1987 and serves as a habitat for fish.

Watson still held onto to his dream of one day flying high in the sky. His application for flight training was accepted and after one year and five months on Duane, he reported for Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Fl and then Corpus Christi, TX.

He did well in flight training and earned his “wings of gold” in January 1980. “I did my jobs to the best of my ability and always made my promotions,” said Watson.

He was then assigned to USCG Air Station in Sacramento, CA. He qualified as a HC-130 Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot to fly long range patrols and SAR missions. “The HC-130 is the Coast Guard version of the venerable C-130. A large 4 engine turboprop transport, which is flown by all branches of the U.S. military,” said Watson.

He gained over 1,000 flying hours in the “HERC” as it was called. While at Sacramento he transitioned to a new Coast Guard Aircraft the HU-25A Falcon Fanjet. It was a medium range fast response SAR aircraft.

In 1984, he was assigned to the USCG Air Station in San Diego, CA, to introduce the new Falcon jets to the area and train new pilots.

Bob “Xfeed” Watson in San Diego

Bob “Xfeed” Watson in San Diego

After four years in the academy, and 10 years on active duty, Watson, resigned his commission from active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard in May 1987 and entered the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves.

At the same time Watson took on full time work as a pilot for Delta Air Lines. He was assigned to the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Pilot Base. The Coast Guard did not have reserve units in DFW so Watson did an inter-service transfer to the U.S. Navy and joined VR-59 at NAS Dallas, TX flying the C-9B performing worldwide logistic support missions for the U.S. Navy fleet. He would stay in that squadron for 10 years until his retirement from military service.

Delta Pilots mobilized with V-59 for Gulf War, Bob “Xfeed” Watson, 4th from right

Delta Pilots mobilized with V-59 for Gulf War, Bob “Xfeed” Watson, 4th from right

During this time, Desert Storm (1990-1991) had taken place and Watson’s squadron was mobilized and recalled to active duty.

“My squadron was mobilized to be used by the Air Force for transport,” said Watson. “We moved troops and gear from Europe into the combat theater for the first month. During the second month, we hauled bombs to the B52’s and on the last month, we were taking people back home.”

Watson added, “I knew this was serious when we got issued gas masks and completed the associated training, including how to recognize different agents and then pick the right needle to stab your leg with.”

His squadron was based at Bitburg Air Force Base in Germany and mobilized for a total of 90 days.

After returning home to NAS Dallas in April of 1991 he continued with VR-59. The squadron moved to the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Fort Worth, TX now known was the NAS Forth Worth Joint Reserve Base (JRB) base when NAS Dallas was closed in 1994. It still operates there today.

Watson retired from Naval service and VR-59 in August 1997 as a Commander. He continued to work full time as a pilot with Delta Air Lines.

After the September 11 attacks, Watson participated in a volunteer program to become a Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) where the TSA deputizes qualified volunteer pilots on passenger and cargo aircraft as law enforcement officers to defend the flight deck against acts of criminal violence or air piracy. Watson said, “I’m not gonna let them do that again on my aircraft.”

After 33-years of working for Delta Airlines, He retired at the age of 65 in July 2020.

He is now residing in Southlake where he enjoys activities at the Southlake Senior Center.

Southlake salutes, Robert “Xfeed” Watson. Thank you for your service.

Bob “Xfeed” Watson, Veteran

Bob “Xfeed” Watson, Veteran

If you’re a Veteran and are interested in our Veterans Program, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our Veterans Program webpage for more information.

Photo Collage Bob "Xfeed" Watson

Photo Collage, Bob “Xfeed” Watson

Senior Activity Center Summer Activities

Summer is here and it’s hot outside! Luckily, there is plenty to do to beat the heat at the Senior Activity Center this month!

Coffee Bar

Early birds take advantage of our coffee bar at the SAC from 9:00 am- 11:30 am!

Group Fitness Classes

Staying active is important for your health at any age, but summer months make it difficult to stay active outside. Southlake seniors looking to get in a good workout in the privacy of their own space can register for group fitness class at the SAC. From Chair Pilates, Chair Yoga, Fun & Fitness, to Zumba Gold, there’s a group class for all interests and abilities!

Walking Track

Senior Activity Club members get special access to the Champions Club walking track on Mondays at 1:00 pm and Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. Join in the fun and get in your steps!

Seniors Art Class

Let your creativity soar at the Seniors Art Class this month. Get ready to make something extra special

Clubs and Communities

Share your hobbies with like-minded individuals! The SAC hosts weekly a weekly Poker game on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12:00- 3:00 pm, Mah Jong on Thursdays from 10:30-1:00 pm, and Knitting on Fridays from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm.

There are so many exciting programs happening at the Senior Center this summer. Make sure to stay up to date on everything happening at the SAC by subscribing to our E-Blasts here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/LOpkyTF/southlakeseniorcenter

Remember that during Phase II or reopening, all programs and classes require an online pre-registration.

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/experiencesouthlaketx/activity/search?activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=seniors&viewMode=list

Check out our website for more information!

Southlake Senior Activity Center Provides Curbside Meal Pickup for Seniors Amidst Closure

On Monday, June 1, the Southlake Senior Activity Center kicked off the first Metroport Meals on Wheels curbside pick-up. Meals on Wheels volunteers and Senior Center staff welcomed nearly 70 seniors with signs, smiles, and air hugs as they drove through the Legends Hall parking lot to pick up their first hot meal in more than 12 weeks.

Recognizing the continual need to provide warm ready-to-go meals for the seniors in our community, the City adapted the original Monday social luncheon program to become a curbside pick-up.  In this challenging time, the adapted program aims to not only provide meals but also provide the much-needed sense of community Senior Center members are used to.

“Not only will this program brighten the day of our seniors, but it will also bring back a sense of normalcy to their lives,” said Senior Services Coordinator Soheila Phelps.  “With many local senior centers closed through the Summer due to COVID-19, seniors are feeling more isolated than usual.  We hope the pre-packaged grab and go lunches would address the challenges of isolation and the importance of nutritious hot meal for the older adults.”

The Southlake Senior Activity Center has provided weekly lunches in partnership with Metroport Meals on Wheels since 1999. In 2019 alone, the City provided more than 5,700 meals to adults aged 55 and better.  Each week seniors enjoy local favorite restaurants like FeedStore BBQ, Asian Top, Chuys, Joe’s Pizza and Pasta, and more.  Each of these restaurants works graciously to ensure a balanced meal is provided at a very discounted rate and has the meal ready to go each Monday to be promptly delivered to the Southlake Seniors.

“We are grateful for all the local restaurants willing to work with partner Metroport Meals on Wheels to provide cost affordable meals to help subsidize the non-profits budgetary needs,” said Phelps.

The City of Southlake has recognized that weekly congregate lunch program can help fight social isolation, ensure a nutritional meal, and improve overall health and well-being of older adults.  This program gives seniors the chance to socialize over food in a group setting allowing them to see friends more often and hopefully make new ones in the process.  While the curbside program may look a little different this Summer, we are hopeful that one day a week can provide an opportunity for our seniors to enjoy the little things once more.

The Senior Activity Center has continued to make more than 50 wellness check phone calls each week to ensure our Senior members have someone to talk with and offer any assistance or resource to our most vulnerable population at this time.  Through those conversations, masks have been hand-delivered to seniors in need through local non-profit groups, grocery delivery resources have been provided, and daily conversations and jokes have been shared.

To learn more about the Southlake Activity Center, visit their website at www.SouthlakeSeniorCenter.com.

The Southlake Senior Activity Center Presents: An Arabian Night

Senior Activity Center members won’t want to miss out on this award-winning event scheduled for Friday, May 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Legends Hall.

Back by popular demand, An Arabian Night will include catered Mediterranean cuisine, music, entertainment and so much more. Join us for a cultural experience that is sure to make a lasting memory!

The menu includes hummus, tabbouleh salad, grilled vegetables, rice, a choice of protein (chicken, beef or vegetarian falafel) and walnut baklava for dessert. The fee is $20 per person, and advance registration is required. Please notify staff of your choice of meal upon registration.

This event is for members of the Senior Activity Center. Not a member? Anyone age 55 and better can enroll online or in-person at the Senior Activity Center, located within Legends Hall at The Marq (285 Shady Oaks Drive). There are no geographical restrictions on membership or attendance.

If you have any questions or would like more information about this event, please contact the Southlake Senior Activity Center at 817-748-8315.

Thank you to our sponsors, SSFI and Home Care Assistance.

Senior Center Celebrates Member Millie Stuck’s 103rd Birthday

On Monday, April 9, the Southlake Senior Activity Center celebrated longtime member Millie Stuck’s 103rd birthday with a special luncheon.Senior Center Millie Stuck celebrates 103rd birthday

Born April 8, 1915, on a farm in Mills County, Texas, Millie graduated from Goldthwaite High School in 1933. She married Bill Stuck in Kerrville on June 4, 1939, and the couple moved to Fort Worth in 1944 after a failed crop on their farm. During World War II, both Millie and her husband went to work for what is now Lockheed Martin building the experimental B-36 Peacemaker. As the war came to an end, Millie went to work as a dental assistant, spending the next 35 years with the same dentist in Fort Worth.Senior Center member Millie Stuck celebrates birthday with friends

Millie has a history of celebrating landmark birthdays in style: she celebrated her 80th birthday at Keukenhof Gardens in Holland while on a three-week European vacation, her 95th birthday on an Alaskan cruise and her 100th birthday at the Southlake Senior Activity Center in 2015. On Monday, April 9, 2018, the Senior Center was happy to help Millie continue the tradition with a special birthday luncheon filled with family and friends.

Millie has two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She continues to be very active in her community, volunteering and attending numerous activities with the Senior Center and White’s Chapel UMC since moving to Colleyville 14 years ago.

Free April Seminars for Senior Activity Center Members

Did you know that the Southlake Senior Activity Center offers a variety of free monthly educational, legal and health seminars for Senior Center members?

All you have to do is see a staff member to register for the seminar you want to attend! Not a member of the Senior Activity Center? Anyone age 55 and better can enroll online or in-person at the Senior Activity Center, located within Legends Hall at The Marq (285 Shady Oaks Drive). There are no geographical restrictions on membership or attendance.

April Seminars at the Senior Activity Center

Pre-registration is required for all seminars. The schedule is subject to change.

Educational Seminar: Medicare
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Description: The Area Agency on Aging/United Way of Tarrant County will answer questions and discuss current issues involving Medicare.

History Seminar: The Cold War
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Description: Come learn about this turbulent time in U.S. history and its long-lasting impact on America’s relationship with Russia.

Better Health, Better You: Diet Do’s and Don’ts
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Description: In this health seminar, a dietitian will explain the basics of a healthy diet and give tips for making healthy choices.

Technology Q&A
Date: Friday, April 27, 2018
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Description: Do you have a question about technology? Our Technology Q&As offer 20-minute one-on-one sessions with experts who can assist you with your computer and technology needs. Participants must register in advance at the front desk for each individual class and give a brief description of their questions or concerns. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Looking for more fun things to do? Check the Senior Activity Center newsletter or online calendar for more classes, programs, events and trips tailored to mature adults! If you have any questions, please call the Senior Activity Center at 817-748-8315.

Dress Sharp and Cut a Rug at the Senior Dance

The Southlake Senior Activity Center is hosting a dance for the ages on May 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Marq Southlake and you’re invited!

Live music will be performed by the late Russ Dorsey’s 5 piece Band “The Musicmakers.”

Admission to the senior dance night is $6 at the door and open to 150 guests who are at least 21 years of age. Light refreshments will be served.

More information about the Senior Activity Center can be found here.

Senior Center to host “James Richardson Memorial Senior Art Show”

The Southlake Senior Center partnered with The Southlake Senior Funding Inc and Southlake Art Council will be hosting the “James Richardson Memorial Senior Art Show” on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Marq Ballroom.

Your masterpiece could be featured in the show too! If you’re 55 or older and are either a member of SSFI or live in Southlake, Keller, Colleyville or Grapevine you can apply to have your work featured. The application is due by May 12 and can include up to two works of art in any medium. The application to enter your artwork can be found here.

The event is in memory of the late Senior Center member James Richardson who enjoyed participating in the art classes hosted at the Senior Center.

For more information about the Senior Center click here.