Marion County Department on Aging Coordinator Gayla Ratzlaff and Senior Citizens of Marion County Board President Lila Unruh were in Peabody April 13 to present the Peabody Senior Center with a Nintendo Wii system for use at the center.

In May 2010, the Marion County Department on Aging purchased the Wii System with the intention of having it circulate among all senior centers, allowing each site to use the Wii for a couple of weeks to decide if the group at their site would use the game system.

In March, each center received a letter asking why their group should receive the Wii as a permanent addition to their facility. Responses were evaluated and a vote was taken March 18 at the county board meeting. The Peabody Senior Center was selected to receive the Wii.

“Your application gave many reasons why your site should become the permanent home for the Wii,” Ratzlaff said. “You told us it brought comradeship to the center, everyone enjoys it, and people come early and stay after lunch to bowl.

“That is just what we hoped it would do,” she said.

The center has held two bowling tournaments.

With the Wii, the seniors of Peabody are ready for more action at the senior center. Additional bowling tournaments are scheduled and interest is high among members.

“We always have a good time with this,” tournament enthusiast Bessie Michaelis said as she accepted the Wii from Ratzflaff and Unruh. “Other seniors in the community are welcome to come join us and find out just how much fun it can be.”