Shorewood is a quiet village southwest of Chicago and just outside of Joliet. At the 2000 census, the town had just over 7,600 residents and had projected that by 2008 the population would be over 15,000. Residents like to live in Shorewood because it has the feel of a small, quaint town with modern conveniences. If you enjoy getting out and socializing, the Shorewood-Joliet area offers many ways for you to stay active and fit.
Senior Services Center
The Senior Services Center of Will County serves the Shorewood-Joliet area. Senior centers are a good resource for ways to be active and to make friends. You can learn new skills in addition to taking refresher courses, such as a mature safety driving class. For keeping physically fit, there are classes like a stretch-and-tone class, Tai Chi, line dancing and an arthritis exercise class. For pleasure, there are woodshop, needlework, painting and crocheting classes.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a good way to stay fit, keep mentally sharp and make a difference in your community. The Senior Services Center is one place you can volunteer. The center needs help with meal preparation or delivery. If you can teach, Senior Net needs instructors and coaches. There is also a need for gift shop workers and money management help.
Athletic Clubs
The Inwood Athletic Club in Joliet, part of the parks department, offers an active older adult fitness class, water aerobics and yoga. The 50+ Fitness Fusion focuses on endurance and muscular strength and you will work out on a guided circuit. The H2Over Fifty offers a good low-impact water workout. Gentle Yoga is a good way to relax and stay flexible.
Young At Heart
Young At Heart, in the southwest suburbs, is a group for people between the ages of 55 and 70 years of age. The goal of this group is to offer an opportunity to meet other seniors and participate in group activities. They meet for coffee, movies, bowling and occasional road trips. This group has branches in the nearby Yorkville, Oswego and Montgomery areas.
Shorewood Recreation Center
The Village of Shorewood recreation centers offers a number of classes and outings for seniors. Held in the late summer, one event that challenges you mentally is the local stage of the Illinois State Senior Spelling Bee; the winner of the local bee has a chance to compete regionally and then on to state finals. If you enjoy traveling, you may be interested in the Firekeepers Casino and Wine Country trip held in early September.
