Opp’s Pam Potter has always enjoyed working with older adults, and now she’s found a new career heading up the Opp Senior Center.

Potter started her job earlier this week.

“I was born and raised in Opp,” she said. “I’m married, with three kids and three grandchildren.”

Potter said this is the first time since she was 16 that she hasn’t been in the medical field, having worked at the hospital before being laid off and working at a doctor’s office.

“This is a change of pace,” she said. “I started working at the nursing home when I was 16. I found that I love working with older people putting together activities.”

Potter hopes to take her experience organizing activities and turn the center into an active one.

“I want to get something going every day,” she said. “Whether it’s cards and dominoes – they play dominoes right now on Monday and Wednesday – I want to make it grow. My goal is to make it a full-time activity center.”

Potter said there is currently a “chair exercise” class once a week in which residents walk a mile to a taped workout.

“I want to see that also offered in the afternoons,” she said. “I’m excited about this new adventure. I want to see it grow. I’ve had a great week. The city’s staff has been so welcoming. Everyone has been so willing to help.”

Potter said ongoing activities at the center include:

• Line dancing each Wednesday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

• Square dancing each second and fourth Thursday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

• Cloggers each Monday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

• Congregational singing each second Friday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

• Sewing classes every other Monday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

• Trailmasters meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.

• Ballroom dancing on the third Thursday night.