Kahoka Senior Center Celebrating 50 Years of Service
Marjorie Gurensey, (left) cook at the Clark County Senior Citizens Center and Volunteers Doris Walker, Hazel LeMaster and Tova Boltz, dish up the main course and a dessert for those eating at the new center on Thursday, October 6.
The line forms on the left- These individuals were among those eating lunch at the new Clark County Senior Citizens Center on Thursday, October 6. The first meal was served in the new center on Monday, Oct. 3 to 87 people. The new center features not only a new kitchen and expanded dining room but also a meeting room and an office area.
The Kahoka Senior Center opened September 15th, 1969 at 475 N. Johnson Street, where it was opened 6 days a week.
When it first opened there was much emphasis on serving the community. Making lap robes for the local nursing homes and bandages for the county nurses. The Center was open afternoons for sewing activities and for socializing later in the day where many decks of cards were worn out. There were even sewing lessons for those who wished to improve their skills. Each month the center sponsored a Birthday Party and at least one carry in supper.
There were various presentations on subjects of interest to the seniors and the Center sponsored trips to visit various Northeast Mo. Senior Centers or other points of interest.
At one point the center began meeting on the North Side of Kahoka Square in a building known as the Justice Building. They met there until moving to their own building at 222 N Lincoln on November 5, 1994.
It was while they were in the Justice Building that hey began serving daily meals and operation the meals on wheels program. By the time they moved to their new location on Lincoln Street, they were serving approximately 80 meals a week.
The center continues to serve about 70 meals a day through their in-house congregate meals and their meals on wheels program. They also serve the Industrial Workshop for any handicapped that would like a meal. To qualify for the program, you must be 60 or older or handicapped. However, anyone can eat there, but if not in the program they must pay full cost for the meal, $7.65, which includes your drink and dessert. Anyone participating in the program receives a meal for a suggested donation of $4.00.
To qualify for the meals on wheels program you must be 60 or older, or handicapped, and must be homebound, (meaning it must be difficult for you to leave the home by yourself). If interested in Meals on Wheels or the congregate program, contact Sara at (660)-727-2400.
The center also focuses on activities. We currently offer The Arthritis Foundation’s Exercise Program two days a week (Wednesdays and Fridays). This is a low impact exercise program with an emphasis on maintaining strength and range of motion in the joints. We also offer a class on managing Diabetes and a Diabetes Support Group, which meets once a month, starting in October. Also starting in October is a class on Tai Chi, which will be two or three days a week, depending on the trainer’s schedule. Many other classes are available and are run when enough interest is shown.
At the beginning of the year the Center started serving breakfast as a fundraiser, as this is not a part of our program, anyone is welcome to come have breakfast with the same low price for everyone, most plates are $4.00, including coffee. We also opened a gift shop on the premises with many items, some new, some gently used, for sale along with homemade, rolls, cookies, muffins and homemade candy. We will also take orders for these treats and many others.
To celebrate our 50thanniversary, we are having a Gospel Sing Sunday, September 15thfrom 2:00 to 4:00 PM, with pie and ice cream for a free-will donation and will have many of our home-made baked items and candy for sale.
On Monday, September 16, we are having an open house, with Bingo starting at 9:00 AM, with prized donated in by local merchants. A Euchre tournament will be held starting at 1:00 PM. We will also have a representative for the Missouri Extension Office here, so you can pre-register for any classes you may be interested in and a representative from the Arthritis Foundation with information and demonstrations of the exercise class that is held bi-weekly.
On Tuesday, September 17th, Junior Tally, an Elvis Impersonator from Iowa, will be performing starting at 7 PM. Food will be available for purchase from 5:30-6:30. Contact the Senior Center (660)727-2400 for more information or to purchase tickets, seating is limited.
Come help us Celebrate and Find Out What We Are All About!!!!
