NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2026
• Programs of Excellence Name: "Be Like Bacon"
• Hosting Organization: Colchester Senior Center, Colchester, Connecticut

About "Be Like Bacon": 

During National Senior Center Month, the Colchester Senior Center rolled out a fun and engaging theme, "Be Like Bacon."

"It had come to our attention that world famous actor/musician, Kevin Bacon, was 67 years old, the exact age of the average age of someone who patronizes a senior center," said Colchester Senior Center's Patty Watts. "Kevin Bacon can collect Social Security, Kevin Bacon is Medicare-eligible! Because Kevin Bacon is a wonderful example of aging with purpose, vitality and humor, we took the opportunity to build a campaign for our senior community.

"The theme, "Flipping the Script on Aging" was a perfect tie-in for an actor-themed focus, too. We had so much fun with our programming in September, with Bacon Icons located to designate "Be Like Bacon" programs in our monthly newsletter.

"One of the most successful programs of the month was our "Be Like Bacon" Banquet: Wisdom through the Ages. We recruited from among our membership a man or woman who exemplified aging with grace in every decade...Our Wisdom through the Ages panelist were incredible. We had a 57-year-old woman, a 67-year-old man, a 79-year-old woman, an 84-year-old woman, a 99-year-old woman and a 103-year-old man—the oldest member we have at our senior center," Watts said. "It was effective in getting people to share their thoughts about aging and maybe even challenge some misconceptions that they held.

"At the end of the luncheon, each member was invited to share their wisdom, too, which were read aloud. We called these "Bacon Bits" and they were displayed and shared throughout the rest of the month.

"All told, there were six different "Be Like Bacon" programs. Perhaps everyone's favorite part of the theme was that we had a life-sized Kevin Bacon cardboard cutout, who also attended our programs. Many CSC members had their photos taken with him and then posted them on social media.

"This theme cause a lot of excitement, enjoyment and engagement with our senior center—and for many it was the first time at a senior center. I guess if it's good enough for Kevin Bacon..."

Key takeaways from "Be Like Bacon":

• The humorous theme made people consider the senior center in a new light, piqued their curiosity, and in some cases compelled them to register for membership.
• The theme "brought out a genuinely playful side of our patrons, and reenergized the staff, too."
• Have you ever had Kevin Bacon at your senior center? "If not, you should! He's a lot of fun, and he hardly takes up any space at all."

About the Colchester Senior Center

The Colchester Senior Center mission is "to support older adults (55 years+) by providing programs and services designed to promote their independence, health, wellness and overall quality of life." Their vision: "A community resource dedicated to engaging, enriching and empowering the lives of seniors."