They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But if you are age 60 or older, you can enjoy a free lunch and activities such as music, arts & crafts, and socialization opportunities at Bay Aging’s eight Active Lifestyle Centers (ALCs) in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. The ALCs are funded by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and are part of an array of services provided to help older adults maintain their health and independence.

In recognition of Older Americans Month, each Bay Aging ALC will host an open house in May. First up is the Lancaster ALC, whose May 11 open house will feature music by Ann and Milton Kingsbury. The Gloucester ALC open house on May 17 will feature a presentation by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission about fishing. The Mathews ALC open house, also May 17, will showcase guest speaker Mary Arthur, Dementia Focused Options Counselor. John Murphy hosts trivia at the Westmoreland ALC open house on May 17.

Four ALCs will host open houses on May 31. Investigator Bill Riley from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office will discuss safety and scam awareness at the Middlesex ALC. Liz Hayes from the Virginia Cooperative Extension will speak about nutrition at the West Point ALC. The Northumberland ALC open house will include a scavenger hunt! A pizza party and dancing await attendees of the Richmond/Essex ALC open house. For details on all eight open houses, call 800-493-0238 or visit bit.ly/ALCopenhouse.

Many older adults experience social isolation, which is unhealthy. The U.S. Surgeon General’s recent advisory on the epidemic of loneliness states that social connection improves health and reduces the risk of premature mortality (view the report at surgeongeneral.gov/loneliness). Attending an ALC is one way that older adults can build relationships and reestablish social connection. Bay Aging’s ALCs welcome new participants throughout the year, but the open houses provide a special opportunity for the public to drop in, tour the facility, and meet ALC managers. While attendance at ALCs is typically limited to those age 60 and up, open house attendees may be accompanied by a guest who does not meet the age requirement

Checker playoff at the Gloucester Active Lifestyle Center

Arts & crafts at the Mathews Active Lifestyle Center

Arts & crafts at the Westmoreland ALC

Open house dates and locations:

Gloucester ALC: May 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 6654 Main Street, Gloucester

Lancaster ALC: May 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 112 Shamrock Court, Kilmarnock

Mathews ALC: May 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 10494 Buckley Hall Road, Mathews

Middlesex ALC: May 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 111 Port Town Lane, Urbanna

Northumberland ALC: May 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 39 Courthouse Road, Heathsville

Richmond/Essex ALC: May 31, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 121 Jones Lane, Warsaw

West Point ALC: May 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 310 Winters Point, West Point

Westmoreland ALC: May 17, noon-2 p.m., 400A Meadow Avenue, Colonial Beach

Residents who need transportation can schedule a ride with Bay Transit by calling the Ride Line, 877-869-6046, at least 24 hours in advance. There is a $2 fee to ride the bus, but participants who complete paperwork to become registered clients of an ALC may qualify for free bus rides to and from the ALC. There is no charge to join and attend an ALC.