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With the image from the Wii, projected onto a large screen, itÕs almost like the residents at Golf Vista are actually at a bowling center during their weekly league games. Bowling is just one of the many activities that the community enjoys together.
Golf Vista residents feel like family  Share
At Golf Vista in Monee, residents say they feel like part of an extended family. And, like many large families, they're always finding ways to gather and enjoy life together Š whether it's golfing, participating in a Wii bowling league, attending a monthly computer club or a variety of other activities. Before he and his wife, Joanna, moved to Golf Vista Estates, a senior retirement community, Bill Hopman says they owned a home on five acres on Harlem Avenue. He knew his neighbors, but he wasn't involved with any of them. It's been a completely different experience at the retirement community. ''We're a family here,'' he said. On a recent visit to Golf Vista, 40 residents were bowling at the clubhouse. The league formed five weeks ago and will continue until June of 2010. It's not your typical bowling alley. There aren't any lanes, cumbersome bowling balls or even actual pins. Instead, the seniors are bowling through the aid of modern technology Š a Wii gaming system.
Equity Lifestyle (ELS), owners of the retirement community, bought the Wii for the clubhouse. Golf Vista's computer club allowed the bowling league to use a computer and a huge, pull-down movie screen to make it even more like bowling an actual game. Watching the bowlers take their place, a good distance from the screen, and carefully aim at the pins, swinging their arm back and then forward, as they walk a few steps, it's almost like watching a live game at a local bowling alley. The atmosphere is the same. Teammates jump to their feet and cheer when a bowler manages to ''rack up'' a spare or a strike. There are pats on the backs and ''high fives.'' ''I enjoy the camaraderie,'' said Sheila Pollack, who moved to the community five years ago from Indiana. ''We all work together and help each other out,'' she added. As an example, she talked about the way the computer club offered the use of a computer and screen to the bowling league. She said everyone at the community works together. Hopman is the chairman of the computer club, which started meeting monthly five years ago. It has about 40 members and has offered informational meetings on a wide range of topics, including using a variety of computer programs, online banking and using a digital camera. Other activities include golf leagues for women, men and couples, a monthly potluck and pancake breakfast; movie night; and card night. The group is looking forward to a Christmas party on December 4, which will include a Frank Sinatra impersonator. ''If I ever had to move out, I'd find another community that was the same age group as myself and enjoyed the same lifestyle,'' said Hopman. Because, as he said, it's like having another family. Dawn Wolf is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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