Mill Race Center’s doors at 900 Lindsey St. in Columbus have been closed to the public since March 13 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home guidelines.
But a number of the nonprofit agency’s programs and presentations are open and running — and still reaching segments of the 50-and-older community center’s 2,000-plus members. All of that is via online video streams at the Mill Race Center Facebook page, millracecenter.org, and the Mill Race Center channel on YouTube.
Plus, the center is reaching those outside its traditional group, since viewers need not be Mill Race Center members.
For a Silver Sneakers Total Body Conditioning live-stream class planned Monday afternoon through center partner Columbus Regional Health, more than 2,400 people expressed an interest beforehand in watching it, according to Mill Race Center’s Facebook tally.
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One educational segment just completed days ago was center executive director Dan Mustard’s online interview with Dr. Stacie Wenk, past president of the Indiana State Medical Association, on COVID-19’s impact on seniors.
“All of this has kind of fallen into place,” Mustard said.
The first few videos, ranging from simple Bodies In Motion stretching to a small drum circle to beat stress, earned about 50 to 100 views in the first few days, according to Mustard. The presentations are done in a makeshift studio at the center, with only a web camera, some portable lights, a mixer and a laptop — all equipment that Mustard already had.
“We got some free software, and off we went,” Mustard said.
So there was no new expense for what eventually could become a whole new audience.
“We had talked a lot for some tine about doing online programming for people who for whatever reason can’t come to the center,” Mustard said. “But it was one of those things that, because we already were so busy, it stayed on the back burner.
“When all this happened, we as a staff just said, ‘Now’s the time.’ And now, I think we will continue it (when re-opening).”
The effort is especially significant since Mustard and Mill Race Center leaders themselves regularly have highlighted multiple national studies indicating harm, emotionally and otherwise, of the older population in isolation. Plus, The Republic’s coverage of the center or related programs through the years regularly has highlighted seniors who say they have used such connections, fellowship and group activities to beat depression, loss, and other challenges.
Judy Kiesow, a center member for four years, said she can understand such help. She’s a part of the Bodies In Motion class, and has caught most online sessions on her laptop positioned in her living room so she can move with instructors Shannon Truman and Courtney Watkins.
“The class works every joint in your body, including your toes,” Kiesow said. “Joints can get very stiff as you get older. And all you need for this is a chair.”
Kiesow is considering becoming a part of future crafts classes, either online or eventually on location.
A weekly drum circle, a group promoting mental wellness and more, has now migrated online. One recent streaming included Mustard and his family finding a harmonic rhythm — and it found an audience.
“That was fun,” Paulette Shaw posted after watching, adding that she misses the gatherings.
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One need not be a member to catch Mill Race Center’s video-streamed programs and classes, from the humor of presidents to the impact of COVID-19 on seniors.
Go to:
- millracecenter.org
- The Facebook page for Mill Race Center
- The YouTube channel for Mill Race Center
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