By Michelle Alexander

Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s 50 Plus Program is ending the year with a lineup of fun holiday events!

We’ll kick it off by recognizing and honoring our local veterans early with a Veteran’s Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park.

The event will feature Chris Cakes offering a pancake and sausage breakfast. All veterans eat free! Family members and the public are invited to attend with a $8 per person charge for breakfast. Please call 913-826-2830 to register by Nov. 7.

Next, we hope you will join us at Friendsgiving on Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village. It’s an opportunity to gather and express gratitude, love and well wishes for our friends around us. The afternoon fun includes food, games and great conversation!

We keep the events rolling with two more afternoons of fun in December.

The chill in the air won’t stop us from having some summertime fun as we bring it all indoors for a Winter Picnic (reference program #23131) on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. Bring your “sunnies” and enjoy picnic snacks, lemonade and lawn games!

Don’t miss out on our newest fan favorite event, Jingle Mingle (reference program #23277) on Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Matt Ross community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park. It’s sure to be a festive afternoon of holiday games, spirited tunes, and holiday themed treats. Bring an item from home you would like to re-gift for the White Elephant exchange.

The cost for each special event is $15 for a Johnson County resident and $16 for a nonresident. For more information or to register, visit the special events page at jcprd.com/50plus or call 913-831-3355 with reference program numbers.

To finish out the year, our family bingo event, Holiday B-I-N-G-HO-HO-HO is perfect for those grandparents and parents looking for something different to do with the littles during their break from school. We’ll play everybody’s favorite game B-I-N-G-O with a holiday twist that will have you singing and laughing all the way!

The event will take place Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Roeland Park City Hall, 4600 W. 51st St. The cost per Johnson County resident is $12/$13 nonresident with a 20% discount on third family member and any family member registered after that.

For more information or to register online visit jcprd.com/register or call 913-831-3355 and reference program #23157.

Michelle Alexander is the 50 Plus Department manager at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.