On Tuesday, December 9, Central hosted a “Wii Day” in which seniors of our community were invited to our school library to learn how to play the Nintendo Wii with and against several students.
The game console is the first of its kind to use motion control to play games and anyone can get involved. It is also used as a means for physical therapy in a lot of medical venues. Wii is very popular in senior communities and all who attended were eager to learn.
Before anyone used the Wii, media specialist, Janet Bell, introduced Mike Bobish who is the YA librarian at the Berkeley Branch library. He introduced the seniors to the Wii and demonstrated how it works and how easy it is to use. After his tutorial, the seniors and students got their hands on the remotes and began playing Wii Sports: Bowling.
As the playing began, Richard Benner, a senior, competitively joked, “No mercy on these guys!” Also, he was heard bribing the Central students he was playing with, “I’ll give you $5 dollars if you blow it,” with a smirk. After he won his game, with an outstanding 167 first time score, Benner sat down with us. When we expressed surprise over his victory he shouted, “What?! You think we’re over the hill?!”
Over his hot chocolate from the school café, Benner gladly spoke with us of his first-time experience. “It was excellent. I didn’t want to give it up.” He told us that he had 8 grandchildren and how none of them had the Wii. We asked if he would get it for them for Christmas, “Are you kidding me? I’m asking them for it.”
While Richard was playing, we spoke with his wife, Vivian, as she looked on. “My husband, Richie, loves to win.” Even though she never played and is a self-proclaimed tennis player, she said bowling looks easy. Vivian informed us that her senior community has a ping-pong team, with the oldest player being 91 years old, and wishes that Wii had a ping-pong game.
Vivian Benner said of the students at Central participating in the “Wii Day”, “You kids are so great. You really make us feel welcome.”
Another first-time Wii participant, Annettee Collins, a resident of Toms River said she is “addicted to video games!” While she was “bowling” we overheard her say, “I gotta pay that pin boy some more money!” Even though it was her first time playing we asked if she would consider purchasing it, “Are you kidding me?! Of course! I get so crazy and have so much fun playing.” She tried out bowling but she really wants to try tennis. She told us a funny story of her first real-life experience with tennis, “Once, I went and took tennis lessons,” and out of excitement she was, “hitting the balls too hard.” The instructor gave her her money back and told her to try racquet ball.
While others watched the seniors and students bowl, Jim Mullin stood aside and spoke with us. When asked how the “Wii Day” came about, Mullin said, “Tommy P (forgive me, I can’t pronounce his last name),” he said with a laugh, “has been down to visit us, as well as Mr. Grossman, the golf coach.” Grossman invited Dr. P. to go and speak with Mullin and “Wii Day” was in the works.