A relatively new development, the Wyngate at Medford is home to 200 single-family homes and is constantly finding new opportunities to engage its residents. For the first time this year, the community hosted a version of its own Olympics held from Monday, Aug. 29 through Thursday, Sept. 1.
“Because the Olympics were being held this year, I thought it would be nice to have our own Olympics here at Wyngate,” Kathy Chilinskas, a five-year resident of the community who helped organize the event, said. “We have many active adults who work out, cycle, play tennis and more. We don’t like to consider ourselves seniors.”
The opening ceremony for this four-day-long competition was held on Monday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at the facility’s pool, and 60 residents took part in the night’s festivities. At the opening ceremony, Johnson Farm sponsored 100 t-shirts with the company’s logo on the back for participants to wear.
Monday’s opening ceremony also involved an entrance parade where each team was represented by a captain who entered the pool area holding their team’s sign. Additionally, team captains announced who would be participating in each event and provided an overview of what the event would entail. Concluding the opening ceremonies, resident Dudley Thomas placed the Wyngate version of a torch, made of paper with a battery to light the flame, in front of the audience, and the Wyngate Singers announced, “let the games begin!”
“I couldn’t wait to watch my husband perform,” Barbara Gervasoni, who has lived in the community for two-and-a-half years, said. “He will be shooting free throws and playing softball. I just think it’s a great idea and that everyone involved has done such a great job.”
On each day of the event, two or three competitions took place, scheduled for either 9 a.m., 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. Included in the events were walking, tennis, bocce, cycling, swimming and softball. The most popular event was bocce, which took place on Wednesday at 3 p.m., and 24 players participated and were narrowed down in two rounds and then in the championship round. The winners of all of these events received medals.
“The Olympics are the effort of residents getting together to make this happen,” Chilinskas said. “The purpose was to bring people together socially and to highlight our accomplishments as active adults.”
This year, the event was a huge success and participants were pleased with all of the events available and hard work that went into its organization. Although the Wyngate Olympics will not be held again next year, the community has numerous opportunities to engage its residents on a weekly basis by offering clubs every day of the week at the clubhouse. These activities include bocce, tennis, a singing group, poker and more.
“I am just so impressed and happy that in just the second summer that the club house has been open that is has become such an active and friendly place. It’s just incredible,” Pat Cross, a resident at the community facility for more than four years, said.
