Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Pawnee Senior Center, Genoa, Celebrates 25th Birthday!


By Shelly Burke, Editor

On March 6, 2010, the Pawnee Senior Center in Genoa celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house.

Teresa Drozd provided the welcome and introduction of the guests at the program.

Congressman Adrian Smith was a featured guest and spoke of his appreciation for small towns. “As I spend time in Nebraska before I head back to Washington DC,” he remarked, “I am reminded how nice Nebraska is. Rural Nebraska is the real deal.”

Senator Annette Dubas was another featured speaker. She is from Fullerton, and familiar with the area and small towns. She congratulated the Senior Center on its accomplishements and remarked, “This celebration is an example of what makes Nebraska’s communities a great place to live.”

Both Smith and Dubas spent time talking with others who attended the event.

Tim Mohrman, Senior Center Manager, reminded me that people don’t have to be over the age of 60 to enjoy meals at the Senior Center or receive Meals on Wheels. He wants people to know that guests of any age are welcome. Tim said, “The goal of the Senior Center is to help seniors to stay in their own home longer by providing meals here or in their home, foot care, and other services.”

A highlight of the afternoon was a performance by the Golden Oldies Band, formed by Jean Strand shortly after the Center opened. In 2009 the band played at more than 45 events in central Nebraska. Pearl Christensen, the only remaining original member of the band, is 96 years old. Her first instrument was a macarena that she made from a can filled with pebbles; the can had Chinese writing on it and was a souvenir from one of her many international trips.

The Senior Center was incorporated in 1983, and served its first meals in March of 1985. Last year, 8,781 meals were provided to participants 60 years of age and older.

The Pawnee Senior Center provides many services to the citizens of the Genoa area. Noon meals are served Monday through Friday, with an evening meal on Tuesday. The Meals-on-Wheels program delivers to participants who are unable to leave their home.

The Senior Center provides many services to area seniors; health education and clinics, volunteer opportunities, entertainment, senior care options, caregiver support, and socialization with new and long-time friends.

We wish the Senior Center a very happy anniversary and many more years serving Genoa and the surrounding area.

For more information about the Pawnee Senior Center and upcoming activities, call (402) 993-6002.


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