You have to be 55 years old to live at Carolina Meadows, but you don't have to be 55 to have fun there. With the enthusiastic support and participation of staff members, residents and their grandchildren have no problems enjoying life here.

For starters, consider Saturday Night Movies, a favorite of resident Herb Harned.

"I enjoy the great variety of movies we show every Saturday to audiences of 70 or more," he said. "The selections concentrate on 'significant' films, including foreign films, distinguished American films from past and present and documentaries."

Harned adds, "The 400 different motion pictures seen over the last four years provide thought as well as entertainment. Many faithful viewers return each week to see, enjoy, analyze and critique these movies."

Dick Ballard, a 12-year resident, is active in many activities, ranging from croquet to the PC Computer Group, and serves on a number of committees.

"The most time-consuming (and rewarding) was starting the Special Events Committee," Ballard said. These events include specialty dinners with a variety of European themes and related lobby exhibits he prepares. Later this month, residents will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

And then there are the grandchildren.

Pat Ballard entertains their three grandchildren in many ways, including lunch in the cafe, "playing croquet, using child-size lightweight mallets...picking out books and videos in the library...playing (with supervision) in the pool - using foam swim aids and balls and Grandfather's shoulders for jumping."

Jean Harned has fond memories of her grandchildren's visits.

"When my granddaughter Selena was about 10 -- she's now 23 -- she liked to bring her roller skates to use on our sidewalks," she said. "She didn't have a sidewalk at her home in Cary.

Her younger brother Max (now 19) couldn't sit as long as the adults lingered talking together in the dining room. From the age of five, he would excuse himself and go to the library, sit cross-legged on the floor and read the children's books."

Two younger grandchildren -- Eliot, 4, and Emilia, 7, also enjoy the library. Jean Harned recalls that they visited last August when the Ice Cream Social was held.

"Afterwards, they stopped in the Auditorium for an ice cream," she said. "They arrived as the party was ending, enjoyed the ice cream treat, but better than that was the present for each of a bouquet of about a dozen pink and black balloons. When they returned to our villa, they were so excited."

Those are just a sampling of the entertainment opportunities available to residents, relatives and staff at Carolina Meadows. There are about 30 standing committees and another 35 or so activities ranging from Antiques & Collectibles to fundraising for several non-profits.

Michelle Marino, health and fitness coordinator, reeled off a list of activities ranging from such annual events as the pumpkin decorating and carving contest to the new kid on the block, Nintendo Wii, an attraction that is catching on slowly. She expects interest to increase as more residents and grandchildren participate. Current Wii programs include bowling, golf, tennis, baseball, carnival games and Brain University (a trivia game). Wii bowling will be included in the July 4th and Labor Day games this year.

"The most popular wellness events," Marino added, "are the annual Bunny Hop and Turkey Trot luncheons."

The most popular attraction this year was the Wellness Fair (attended by more than 270 residents). Other favorites (although some might not agree) are independent exercise and organized exercise activities, including the Stretch 'n' Tone and Weight Training classes, off-campus walks, yoga, jazzercise, Nordic walking and swimming pool activities. Heart Smart, Marino says, is the most popular pool exercise.

Activities Director Kris Snyder and Activities Specialist Jody Hite offer other favorites, including the biennial MeadowFair (a mini-version of the State Fair in Raleigh that offers fun and games for all ages of residents, relatives and staffers) and the annual Halloween Party (again, a major attraction for all). Other favorites are the Big Band dances, billiards, movies, ping-pong and shuffleboard. "The pool is probably No. 1 for grandchildren," Snyder says.

Hite says the Halloween Party is "a huge one, especially the Haunted House." She adds the Camp MeadowWood finales, magic show and awards in July. Other popular events are concerts by the MeadowSingers and musical events sponsored by Music at the Meadows.

Hite also cites the July 4th and Labor Day sports events. Both she and Snyder say golf and tennis are the most popular seasonal sports.

But even though spring and summer are a few months away, there's plenty of fun at Carolina Meadows this winter.

The Report from Carolina Meadows