STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Step back in time—well, dance back in time—when the Senior Connection holds its second annual At the Hop.

Don your poodle skirt, letter jackets—or come as you are—for a cruise back into the 1950s full of golden oldies and drive-in bites. And be prepare to swoon to Elvis from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at The Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum.

The soda shoppe will be up and running and the cocktails will be flowing, as well, in this fun-raiser designed to raise funds for the Senior Connection’s programs and services.

There’ll be a paddle up, and everyone who purchases an At the Hop ticket will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a 2025/26 Sun Valley Challenger pass that includes unlimited skiing and riding at Sun Valley and Snowbasin resorts with no blackout dates.

This year’s sock hop is co-chaired by Kristin Hovencamp, Penny Weiss and Megan Pepin, a Meals on Wheels volunteer with the Senior Connection for seven years.

Together they are trying to raise money for the Senior Connection which is the only senior-specific organization in Blaine County. As such, it fills many gaps that exist in this largely rural setting where resources are limited and distances great.

In 2024, the Senior Connection’s transportation program provided several hundred more rides than in past years, hitting the road with 3,064 rides to medical appointments, the Senior Connection and field trips to Trinity Hot Springs, Swiftsure Ranch the Sun Valley Music Festival and other venues.

The Senior Connection also:

Served 26,625 nutritious meals to Blaine County seniors, of which 15,369 were Meals on Wheels.

Delivered 5,976 hours of caregiving services that many older adults need to age in place with safety and dignity.

Hosted more than 300 fitness classes with a focus on strength, flexibility, and balance.

Provided over 200 days of memory care sessions to support older adults and their loved ones in navigating the innumerable challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

“Here in Blaine County, the Senior Connection is a huge resource for our community in so many caring ways,” said Meals on Wheels volunteer John Kwan. “We all need advocates throughout life and especially later in life. Our Senior Connection provides that, along with a portal for connection.”

Tickets for At the Hop are $125, available at https://seniorconnectionidaho.org/the-hop/.

Questions? Email anne@seniorconnectionidaho.org or call 208-595-1903.