HOFFMAN — The town of Hoffman wrapped up its Senior Citizens Summer Enrichment Program with a banquet Saturday, showcasing the skills participants developed while celebrating six weeks of learning, activities and fellowship.
The program brought seniors together for a range of recreational and educational activities, including games, arts and crafts, gardening, movie outings, field trips and bingo. Participants also attended a session on artificial intelligence with IT Manager Damon Clark and learned about resources promoting the importance of physical activity.
“The overall goal that was set in the beginning of 2026 is to have seniors involved in physical and educational activities that will be beneficial to them in their everyday lives,” said Maggie Bethea, who provided an overview of the summer program during the banquet.
The celebration also recognized some of the community’s oldest seniors. Beulah Jones, John Taylor, Lester Ratliff and James McRae, ranging in age from 88 to 99, were honored during the event.
“It’s truly a blessing,” said Town Clerk Bessie Sinclair-Bell.
Along with recognizing participants, the banquet allowed seniors showcase their performance skills as the group performed a play, “Who Killed The Church,” filling the room with laughter.
“It was great— excellent. We had six weeks of the program starting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We had 65 people to sign up, but we added around 35 to 40 people. They really look forward to it,” said Mayor Pro Tem Daniel T. Kelly, who also serves as marketing and publications director. “Some of them had never been here before, they’d go back and tell others and then they would come here.”
Kelly said the program has also drawn people who previously lived in Hoffman and have since moved elsewhere, giving them another reason to reconnect with the community.
“A lot of people used to live here in Hoffman, they’d move to Moore County or somewhere else, but they com back to Hoffman because they say “Hoffman’s our home.” They love it here. It gets better and better every year,” said Kelly.
Beyond the activities themselves, Kelly said the program provides an important social outlet for seniors who may otherwise have limited opportunities to spend time with others during the week.
“Community, togetherness. A lot of our seniors live by themselves and the only time they mostly see somebody is on Sundays when they go to church, and by having them here on Tuesday and Thursday, they get to mingle and see people more,” Kelly said. “I’m amazed by the support that we’re getting. It does great to my heart.”
With this year’s program concluded, town officials are already looking toward continuing and improving the experience for participants.
“I hope they enjoy their time out socializing with the other seniors and hopefully we can make it even better for them next year,” said Mayor Karla Bostick.
The town’s next community event will be a back-to-school event from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.