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Super Suppers
Dinner clubs just 1 change for centers
Source:
Butler Eagle Correspondent
Written by:
Karin Nicely
Published:
February 10, 2010
This year, the oldest of the Baby Boomers turn 64, but they're still instigating change.
Locally, the Area Agency on Aging and the Lutheran Service Society are responding to the Boomers' desire for a more active and health-conscious lifestyle by making changes in the area's senior centers.
Some of the changes include a Supper Club that will feature an evening meal and program in addition to lunches already being offered.
The changes stem from data gathered from the Butler County Area Agency on Aging's four-year plan survey, sent out in January 2008 to almost 16,000 households and distributed personally through various groups and agencies.
"Seniors today tend to be much more active and have a lot of different interests," said Maureen Huff, program director at the Lutheran Service Society, which operates the senior centers under a contract with the Agency on Aging.
"That's why one of our parade floats featured an empty rocking chair!"
Traditionally, area centers have operated mainly during the morning and limited afternoon hours with a few special events in the evenings. However, with much of today's senior population still in the workforce or managing caregiving responsibilities at home, many who would like to participate at the centers cannot get there during the daytime hours.
The Supper Club events were started to offer a chance for new people to get acquainted with what the centers have to offer.
The first Supper Club event was held Jan. 12 at the Mars center and included a catered stuffed pork chop dinner and a movie. The suggested donation was $2.50.
"It was a definite success," said Mars center manager Amanda Brubaker. "The caterers were very attentive and prepared everything beautifully, right down to the garnish on the plates and the after-dinner mints. The event brought in a lot of new people as well as familiar faces."
The Butler center's Supper Club was held Jan. 27 and featured an informative Ask the Attorneys program in which attorneys Michael Pater and Murray Shapiro answered questions and discussed legal issues pertaining to older adults. Of the 128 attendees, Huff said 49 were new to the center.
Newcomers included Dorothy Cavalero, 60, of Butler. "I wanted to start coming to the senior center to see if I could offer something as well as gain something," Cavalero said.
"Volunteering is extremely important to me. Even though I'm done with my career as a nurse, there's still a lot I can give to my community. And, I look forward to meeting new people and participating in the Silver Sneakers program. I'm glad the centers have improved their menus to include some lighter options, too."
Donna and Roy Steinheiser, 61 and 70, of Center Township, attended the Supper Club to have a night out with friends.
"I told them I'd buy them dinner!" joked Bob Dasch, 67, also of Center Township.
Some regulars at the center welcomed the evening event, too. Jim Kalina, 63, of East Butler drives 200 miles a day as a school bus driver but is able to make it to the center for lunch three to four times a week. However, because of his work schedule, he can't participate in other activities offered only during the day.
"If they started offering some other activities in the evening, I'd probably participate more," he said.
Another popular new activity offered at the centers is Wii video game league bowling. The bowling teams generally compete during regular daytime hours, and the games will culminate in April playoffs against other centers. A May bowling banquet complete with prizes and entertainment will follow.
According to Chicora center manager Karen Sheakley, participants are so enthusiastic that some centers are having trouble keeping up with the demand.
"We already have five teams," reported Sheakley, "so a very nice person donated a second Wii station. We could actually use another one, too."
The 11 Butler County centers also continue to provide daytime activities like card parties, informational sessions, fundraising events, picnics, golf outings, line dancing and the Silver Sneakers fitness program, which incorporates light aerobics, stretching, and sometimes yoga. A suggested donation of $1.50 covers a full lunch as well as any activities of the day.
The Supper Club calendar, complete through June, will feature two events each month. February events include a card party Feb. 9 at the Chicora center and Senior Crime Prevention University presented Feb. 24 at the Cranberry center by the Attorney General's Office.
For more information or to make reservations, call the centers or the Lutheran Service Society at 724-283-9002.
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