Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Located at 200 Rosemary Drive, Rose Mary C. Brooks Place is a non-profit assisted living facility that is always finding ways to provide its residents with recreational activities. 

Lately, two such examples have shined a bright light on the organization’s efforts. 

A Wii bowling tournament and Casino Night each occurred, allowing for fun and friendly competition and collaboration. 

“Our goal here is just to have healthy, active seniors who are really engaging in activities [and] relationships,” said Tim Janes, Executive Director at Rose Mary C. Brooks Place. “As a staff, we seek to find those things that connect…with our staff and residents so that we really can pursue those activities and [engage] together.” 

On Friday, Jan. 17, the third annual Wii bowling tournament occurred. 

Invented in 2006, Wii Sports offers a variety of sports simulation video games. 

For the tournament, individuals can stand or sit and – utilizing a handheld device that they push forward as though they were throwing an actual bowling ball – “throw” the ball at the pins displayed on a screen in front of them. 

As with bowling at any local alley, the wrist and other hand movements determine the ball’s direction and – consequently – how many pins are knocked down at once. 

The tournament lasts several weeks and is a welcoming opportunity for residents such as previous winner Betty Curtis. 

“I like it all!” she said. “The younger ones need to come out and do it. I like to watch them.” 

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the enjoyment continued. 

Rose Mary C. Brooks Place held its first-ever Casino Night, featuring various games that residents and volunteers from groups such as the Winchester Rotary Club could play. 

“[We] let our…residents play for bingo bucks,” said James. “We had a lot of participation.” 

Classical casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and more were showcased. 

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department also donated token slot machines for the event. 

“It was the idea of our maintenance director thinking about ideas with our activities director,” Janes said. “[It’s] something we could do in wintertime that would be new and exciting.” 

When asked what he hoped the community would know for 20 years, James quickly provided an answer. 

“Brooks Place has been in Winchester for over 20 years, and…we continue to strive to develop our seniors and provide them with the quality of life they deserve,” he said.