The Bremen Senior Center plans to spread some holiday cheer this season and has formed a new bell band, The Ding-A-Lings, which will put on their debut performance before their peers at the Tallapoosa Senior Center in just a few weeks.

The big day is set for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14. Onlookers at the Tallapoosa facility will be treated to a wide array of traditional holiday songs, such as “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Over the past couple of weeks, the 23-member band has been tirelessly working to polish up their skills on the miniature bells they’ll be using in the performance. Meanwhile, BSC Director Kathy Rayl says the band is excited about their performance. In fact, it was the seniors’ love for music that sparked her idea to form a band at her center.

“Every year, I try to do something new [at the center], and since our senior participants like dancing and singing, I felt it would be a good idea to form a band,” Rayl said. “I want to take the band on the road to [perform at] other senior centers in the community, too.”

She also shared her willingness to expand the band; however, interested participants must have a desire to meet two simple requirements: “a good heart and dedicated spirit to serve in the band.” Rayl says participation in the band also calls for a commitment to attend the scheduled rehearsals.

So far, she says the band has shown good progress in their playing abilities, and once they master use of their miniature bells, she plans to graduate them to larger sized bells.

“Once they become more accomplished bell ringers, we’ll attempt to buy the bigger bells,” she explained. “I’m actually in the process of buying a second set of the smaller bells they’re using now because participation was so [high].”

While the band brushes up their skills for their anticipated debut, Rayl encourages “anyone who is looking for entertainment to let us know, by calling the Bremen Senior Center at 770-537-4167.”

Seniors who are interested in making new friends or getting more involved can also contact the BSC about a slew of diverse programs that are held throughout the week.

One of the biggest programs at the facility is the aerobics exercise group, which has been coined the Silver Sizzlers and meets up to four days every week. The workout includes light stretching, weight-lifting and squats, which Rayl called part of a “life-saving” effort that has helped many seniors who faced difficulty standing or raising their hands prior to joining the fitness program.

A creative writing class at the location has even offered a “soul-building” experience to those who take part in the activity. Rayl says it requires seniors to look at an image or object, reflect on it, then write about the thoughts that are stirred up during their observation. They also get a chance to discuss their feelings, which often brings up memories about their youthful years.

The Wednesday gospel performances also cause an emotional stir from week to week, and the daily Skip-Bo card game tournaments are deemed a fun filler for some of the seniors.

“We also go on two dinner outings every month, and one of them is out of state each year,” she said. “People can call us to find out more about our nutrition program, which is a state-run program where food is provided through Coosa Valley RDC (now known as the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission) that supplies food to home-bound seniors.”

Meanwhile, Rayl assures that seniors who have not taken part in the opportunities at BSC “should try them, because they are changing the faces of aging.”