Dear Auntie Diluviana,
As a recently retired senior, I am looking forward to having more time to enjoy the cultural, recreational and entertainment activities in the Hyattsville area. But because I am living on a fixed income, I have to be careful with my budget. Where can I find discounts?
R.R.
Dear R.R.,
I checked with my friends at Hyattsville Aging in Place, who came up with several ideas for low-cost activities.
A movie fan? The Regal Royale 14 movie theater in University Town Center offers an all-day rate of $8.50 for folks 60 and older. That compares to $9 matinee and $11 evening ticket prices for other adults. AMC theatres in Largo and Beltsville and the P&G Old Greenbelt Theatre also offer senior discounts.
Local educational institutions offer other opportunities for savings. The Golden I.D. program at the University of Maryland allows eligible seniors to take advantage of a wide variety of academic courses at the same rate as part-time undergraduates but minus some student fees. Prince George’s Community College also has discounts for seniors.
Want to keep fit? The fitness room at Prince George’s Plaza Community Center, 6600 Adelphi Road (across Toledo Road from the library), is free for seniors.
Some cultural and historic sites also have reduced rates for seniors. Among them are Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale, Surratt House Museum in Clinton and Montpelier Mansion in Laurel.
A special event free to seniors is the Hyattsville Aging in Place picnic on June 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Magruder Park recreation center. The potluck will feature musical entertainment and guest speaker Emily Stowers, the city’s new senior coordinator. A Spanish interpreter will be on hand. There will be door prizes, special gifts, and literature concerning various recreational activities in the county. Participants are asked to bring a dish to share.
Auntie Diluviana is an occasional column that shares the insights of members of Hyattsville Aging in Place, an organization dedicated to helping seniors stay in their homes and remain active in the community. It is edited by Molly Parrish.
