Prevatte joins BOOMER Games

Concerned with increasing health challenges Columbus County seniors face, County Commissioner James Prevatte has taken a small step that might make a big difference.

Prevatte registered for the Columbus BOOMER Games, a new event scheduled for late April that offers exciting art and activity challenges for people age 55 or older. 

The deadline to register is 

April 12, and applications are available at any senior center or at Columbusco.org.

The BOOMER games are an effort to bring the N.C. Senior Games here. If enough people participate this year, then Columbus County residents may be able to join the 60,000 seniors in North Carolina who compete in 53 local games.

Columbus could be number 54, which is better than the number organizers are struggling to forget. For the fourth year, Columbus County has been ranked as number 100 – the least healthy county in the state – in a nationwide health survey.

Organizers are working tirelessly on events like the BOOMER Games to help change that number, and people like Prevatte are helping simply by joining in the fun.

Prevatte, who turned 62 Thursday, is the husband of Melody Prevatte, one of the event’s organizers. He was ready to volunteer to help run the event, but decided to also play on the big day, April 24.

“This is an excellent opportunity to improve the wellness of the people of Columbus County,” Prevatte said. “Our health department has been educating people on eating healthier and exercising more, and the BOOMER Games can really reinforce that message.”

Prevatte understands that staying healthy is increasingly more difficult with age, and seniors need and deserve a little extra opportunity. The Prevattes walk more than they used to, and can now be seen along the roads near their Whiteville home about three times a week.

Banking on experience gained through a few games with his grandsons, Prevatte has registered for the corn hole competition, which will be one of many competitions at Legion Stadium April 24.

He has thrown out a challenge to all retired government employees, and to his fellow commissioners who are 55 or older to participate in the BOOMER Games and to get their registrations in before the April 12 deadline.

Prevatte has offered a direct challenge to Commissioner Amon McKenzie in the fun walk. 

Though that event is not a competition, the two men may be seen around the track toe-to-toe on the big day, in a friendly contest to see who finishes first.