Francesco Iovino plays cards at Challenges, Options in Aging in Neshannock Towship. He said the heat reminds him of his home of Napoli, Italy. (Annabelle Chips/News)

By Annabelle Chipps, New Castle News

In temperatures this hot, staying inside can be sweeter than ice cream.

Forbush’s Ice Cream and Sophie’s Soft Serve are two popular spots.

According to Camille Alexander, who has worked at Forbush’s for seven years, outdoor ice cream places are less busy when it becomes too hot. However, business picks up once the sun goes down.

Alexander personally likes to beat the heat by swimming, drinking ice cold Diet Coke and taking frequent breaks indoors.

Cheyanne Rodgers, a Sophie’s employee of four years, said this year feels warmer than last.

“Every day is either hot or rainy,” she said.

One place senior citizens can cool off and socialize is Challenges, Options in Aging, a recreational center in New Castle and Ellwood City.

“Anyone over 50 can come in. It’s air conditioned, there’s water, they can grab a meal,” administrator Amy Servone said.

Challenges also has fitness programming so that seniors can exercise in a controlled environment.

“It keeps them safe,” center services director Mike Gordon said. “If they’re struggling, they can come here and hang out.”

Servone also noted that the center can be accessed by the air-conditioned New Castle Transit Authority buses.

Mark Duncan, 67, has been coming to Challenges for nine years.

“It’s cool in here,” he said. “I can’t breathe when it’s that hot.”

Though Duncan has an air conditioner in his home, the center allows him to exercise and socialize without having to be in the heat.

“I don’t want to be outside. Even sitting in the car bothers my asthma,” he said.

Francesco Iovino, who has been coming to the center for two years, said the weather reminds him of his home in Napoli, Italy.

To keep cool, he drinks lots of water and plays solitaire inside Challenges. He said this weather helps him appreciate the four seasons.

Annabelle Chipps is a recent graduate of Slippery Rock University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.