RON KARAFIN/Courier-Post Emma Sheppard, 80, of the Women's Club of Maple Shade, fills a cup with jelly beans recently for a nursing home resident.

Maple Shade senior population, 65+ 1990: 3,057 2000: 2,930 Change: -4% Source: 2000 Census

Every Friday morning, Ruth Johnson's black bowling ball rolls down a gleaming wooden lane toward the pins.

A lifelong bowler, Johnson, now 90, still enjoys the sport.

"It's a very friendly sport and it's not a matter of life or death if you don't do well," she said.

Like many other Maple Shade senior citizens, Johnson bowls with a teammates from the AARP. They meet each Friday in the winter and summer at Laurel Lanes on Route 73.

"I get out while I can and bowling gives you something to think about," said Johnson. "I'd suggest joining the league to anybody. You have fun and it's strictly for your pleasure."

Bowling is not the only game in town, however, as many seniors belong to social clubs not related to sports.

The township funds seven clubs for Maple Shade's seniors, the Maple Shade AARP among them, said township manager George Haeuber.

Most of the clubs meet at the senior center in the municipal complex on Stiles Avenue. The center has a big screen television, a piano, a kitchen, tables and chairs. You can even find a pinochle game there every Monday.

"The parking lot is packed on Mondays," said Haeuber.

Resident Marion Verbaro spends a significant portion of her time as president of the Leisure Club in Maple Shade. The club has about 100 members and meets the first Thursday of each month at St. John's Church on Linwood Avenue.

"We have fun. We don't see one another all that often and it gives us a chance to talk," said Verbaro, who has lived here since 1949.

Club members take turns making cakes that are served with coffee or tea during meetings. Their group also goes on monthly bus trips to dinner theaters and Atlantic City's casinos.

The 50-Plus Club

If you're looking for a smaller group to join, the 50-Plus Club meets the second Thursday of each month in the municipal complex.

Members here enjoy refreshments at the meetings, at which there are speakers and entertainment, said club president Kathy Sherman.

"Every month, there's something different, from the food to our speakers and entertainment. Sometimes one of the gals will sing. We have quite a variety," said Sherman.

Seniors populate the township's condominiums and apartments, and many still remain in the neighborhoods of single-family homes, though an exodus from the neighborhoods is under way.

First ever senior housing

By year's end, officials expect a new senior complex with 100 apartments to be built off Main Street by Pennrose Properties of Philadelphia.

The company has received more than 300 requests for applications. Those names are on a list and applications will be mailed about three months prior to completion of the complex.

Before construction can begin in May, though, a Department of Environmental Protection remediation plan must be completed that calls for the removal of contaminated soil found at the site of a former screw factory. The grounds are contaminated with oil that was used in the manufacturing process, said Haeuber.

Things to do

But being a senior in Maple Shade means having a place to go, too.

Ask Vince Bressi, 76, a bowler and a pinochle player.

"I had not bowled in almost 50 years until I started bowling in the leagues.

"I didn't have much trouble getting back at it. We enjoy it, although there are a lot of ups and downs."