Senior Center Not Just For Seniors

By Jean Issler

Denise Smith has one wish. That everyone knows that anyone, of any age, is welcome at the Phelps County Senior Center.

Smith has been at the center since 1998, starting as a bookkeeper. She became the director about ten years ago. Marilyn Rayburn is the receptionist and dispatcher.

The center is well known for its lunch and public transit programs, quilters, pool players, and card club. Smith said the center is there for public use. All ages are welcome to join in activities and to hang out at the center. Two rooms are also available for meetings and parties.

The main large room is rented for graduations, birthdays, and other gatherings. Refreshments or meals can be purchased from the center or be carried in.

The center also has a conference room that can be rented, or used for no charge when the group eats lunch at the center.

The lunch program is quite popular with typically 80-100 diners daily. Smith said the size of the crowd depends on several factors such as what is on the menu and what is going on in town.

The cost of lunch is a mere $4 for those under 60 years. For seniors, a donation of $3 is suggested.

The cooks are Peggy Mondt and Pam Jons. Thelma Steinshouer helps in the kitchen one day a week. The menu is published in the senior center's newsletter and in the local news media. Reservations are requested by 10:00 a.m. at 308-995-5345.

During the summer when garden vegetables are plentiful, diners can get a chef salad in place of the regular entrée.

Besides the regular weekday lunches, the center holds special meals and events, again all open to the public. There is an annual pancake supper in October. Soup and pie suppers and occasional breakfasts are also scheduled in when possible.

The center holds bake sales annually just before Easter and just before Thanksgiving. According to Smith, these sales are very well attended.

A new event, an ice cream social, was run at Swedish Days this year.

The Public Transit for the county is operated through the center. The small fleet consists of three small buses and two vans. Barb Green and Iris Smith are the regular drivers and Bruce Felty works part time as a backup driver.

In Holdrege, rides are $1 per boarding. The transit goes anywhere in Phelps County for $6 per round trip, or within ten miles of Holdrege for $4 a round trip. There are also monthly trips to Kearney for a minimum of three riders, or individual trips can be setup for per mile fees.

Longer trips need to be planned, but day trip can be had by simply calling 308-995-6788 as needed.

The center runs on public funds, donations and any money that it makes through activities. Tax dollars come from federal and state sources for the public transit system. South Central Area Agency on Aging is a source, and the rest comes from Phelps County and the City of Holdrege.

Other funds are earned or received by donations or ticket sales for meals, events, etc. Smith said Give2Grow Day at the Phelps County Community Foundation has been beneficial for the center. She said it is a good way for residents to remember to contribute to their parents' "second family" at the center, where their parents visit daily.

The quilting group charges to do quilting, but all proceeds are donated to the center. The bake sales at the center are also a source of income.

There is also an annual garage sale. Smith said donations are being accepted until September 5. Items should be free from damage, in working order and clean. No clothing is accepted. Call ahead to have someone receive the donation at the bus garage at Fifth and Garfield.

The sale will be September 11-13, Thursday Noon-7, Friday 8-7 and Saturday 8-11 at the bus garage.

Another upcoming event is a performance September 9 at 10:00 a.m. by a Las Vegas troupe known as Momma's Wranglers. The group sings old country western songs and clog dances for a about an hour program.

The center has dances monthly on the third Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

There is always something to join in on at the center. A pool game or card game, jigsaw puzzle, or just enjoying coffee and conversation...Whatever it is, Smith makes sure it is fun. She said her daily mission is to make at least one person smile, and she rarely fails.

"We are like family. People come here every day," she said. "I want everyone, of all ages, to know they are welcome. You can learn a lot just talking with our seniors."

Phelps County Senior Center in Holdrege is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The phone number is 308-995-5345. This is the number to call for lunch reservations and other center business.

Phelps County Public Transit operates buses from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 308-995-6788 for rides.

Young at Heart Senior Center at Bertrand is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and can be reached at 308-472-5010.