LAURINBURG — Age is no excuse for the participants of the Scotland County Senior Games, it is only a requirement.

The 2018 Scotland County Senior Games will hold opening ceremonies on April 23 at 10 a.m. at Scotland Place. The competition runs through May 17 and will be held at Scotland Place, Scotia Village, Scotland High School, Wagram Active Living Center, Scotch Meadows Golf Course, and the Laurinburg Lanes bowling alley — among many other locations in the county.

The county’s seniors will compete in head-to-head for a chance to represent the county at the North Carolina Senior Games.

Registration for this year’s Scotland County Senior Games began earlier this week and runs through April 6. There are a variety of activities and events for senior athletes to choose from including croquet, bowling, golf, horseshoes and shuffleboard.

Events begin immediately after the opening ceremony with the Silver Strider’s one-mile fun walk at 11 a.m. The first day of competition wraps up with croquet at Prestwick Village at 1 p.m.

The games are not only for the seasoned veterans who participate every year but also athletes as a starting point for a more active life.

Seniors can participate for $10 which includes a Senior Games T-shirt and an invitation to the banquet on May 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Laurinburg Presbyterian Church to close out the annual event. Tickets for the banquet are $15.

SilverArts

This year the Scotland County Seniors Games will also offer a SilverArts competition for those who prefer showing off their talents in the visual arts, performing arts, heritage and folk art and literary art.

Participants can submit items for judging for everything from quilting to comedy skits. Artists can enter up to three pieces of art in the literary, heritage or visual arts categories.

The visual arts category includes photography, watercolor painting, mixed media, charcoal, oil and pastels and acrylic paintings.

The literary arts include essays poetry, life experiences (autobiographical) and short stories. The heritage/folk art category is very diverse featuring everything from basketry, knitting, tole painting, stained glass and woodworking.

Performing arts features comedy, dance, drama, cheering, instrumental and vocal — this category can be an individual or group performance.

All entries must be original works by the artist and completed within the last two years. The only other requirement is the artist must be at least 50 years old. There is a $10 fee to participate in the SilverArts.

Visual, heritage and literary arts must be delivered to the Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast on May 8 between 9 a.m. and noon and 4 to 6 p.m. Judging will be held on May 9 and a reception for the SilverArts will be held on May 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Registration for the Scotland County Senior Games and/or SilverArts can be completed at Scotland Place Senior Center or Wagram Active Living Center during regular business hours.

Amber Hatten-Staley can be reached at 910-506-3170 or [email protected].

Exchange file photo Janette Pegues saves a beach ball from hitting the floor in a game of chair volleyball during last year’s Senior Games, where participants must remain seated while hitting the ball over the net towards the other team.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_pegues.jpgExchange file photo Janette Pegues saves a beach ball from hitting the floor in a game of chair volleyball during last year’s Senior Games, where participants must remain seated while hitting the ball over the net towards the other team.

By Amber Hatten-Staley

Sports editor