Senior recreation supervisor details clubhouse calendar, reports record gift donations

Courtney Wysocki, the senior recreation supervisor for the Lake Forest City clubhouse, told the Community Services Commission on March 4 that the center’s spring calendar is full and participation is rising. “We did donate 271 gifts, which is the most we’ve ever been able to do,” Wysocki said, describing the Holly Jolly Holiday Luncheon and other special events.

Wysocki said the clubhouse — which serves the city’s 50-and-better community — publishes a quarterly calendar (March–May included) and offers monthly catered lunches as well as four larger holiday lunches (Super Bowl, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Veterans Day). Regular programs include Bongo Nights (bimonthly, typically selling out at 48 participants), three annual dances (about 120 participants each), Crafty Crafters (about 35 participants), quarterly garden club classes (about 30 participants) and bingo sessions that can draw more than 170 patrons.

The center also hosts 22 Emeritus classes per school semester in partnership with Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, offering fitness, enrichment and continuing-education-style offerings such as yoga, tai chi, computer classes and intermediate Spanish. Wysocki said the clubhouse can draw between 200 and 400 seniors to the facility on busy days depending on programming.

Wysocki highlighted year-round health and resource offerings: a senior resource fair and flu shot clinic (the prior October’s fair drew 44 vendors and roughly 200 registered participants), on-site medication review and Medicare legal aid referrals, grief support, and transportation options that include a senior-services bus and a taxi partnership with California Yellow Cab for trips within Lake Forest and to neighboring cities. The flu shot clinic is operated in partnership with Ralph’s Pharmacy, she said.

The clubhouse also runs excursions and larger cultural events at the city’s performing arts center, such as a piano series and an upcoming U.S. Air Force Clarinet Quartet performance. Wysocki noted several pop-up events — Cars & Coffee and seasonal socials — and new classes offered in partnership with My Medicare Plan and Optum, including a monthly flower-arranging class and salsa dance instruction. “We are a dual team,” she said of the clubhouse and broader community services effort, urging commissioners to promote the facility.

Commissioners praised the staff and the club’s programming during the meeting. Chair Bruton and others said the clubhouse is a valuable community asset and encouraged continued outreach so more residents know about the facility’s meeting and rental spaces.

No public comments were received on the item, and Wysocki said she would be available to answer follow-up questions.