Years of opportunities for seniors will be highlighted when the Tuscarawas County Senior Center in Dover celebrates the anniversary of its main facility, which was built in 2005. A daylong celebration is planned for June 6.
Though the senior center was incorporated in 1979, donations were later secured to add the centrally located building at 425 Prospect St.
The Two Decades of Gratitude Celebration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a rededication of the building by the Tuscarawas Chamber of Commerce and a reception.
“I’m looking forward to showcasing our building and what it looks like 20 years later,” said Jamie Smith, executive director at the TCSC. “I'm looking forward to sharing with the community the investment that this building was 20 years ago, and it’s only going to get bigger with more Boomers retiring.”
In 2030 there are estimated to be 71 million people in the United States age 65 or older. Ohio is projected to be one of the states that will have a large population of senior citizens.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a lunch will be served along with live entertainment on the Prospect Perks patio. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., there will be lunch and live entertainment in the main dining room. Lunch tickets are $3, which was the price of a meal 20 years ago.
Thanks to levy support, meals for seniors are still affordable, as well as the other services offered.
Free celebration bingo will be held in the main dining room at 12:30 p.m. A carnival will be held with various games and a cornhole tournament and more from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The staff is looking forward to a day of fun.
“We’ll have photo booths, popcorn and giveaways. We'll have a walk down memory lane display in the main dining room,” Smith said. “It's open to the public, not just members.”
From 4-7 p.m. live entertainment will be held on the back patio with a cash bar and food trucks, The Howlin Bird and The Black Sheep Salads.
A crowd favorite, Randy Velez, will supply the entertainment for a patio party from 6-8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, and a cash bar will be available.
The building means much more than a place to gather to the senior citizens of Tuscarawas County, who sometimes combat loneliness in their post-work years.
“It means friendships, socialization, just really an opportunity to build that new life in retirement,” Smith said.
The programs and services offer something for everyone.
“Clientele can pick and choose whatever they want to do,” Smith said. “We have members who only use our transportation. We have other members who are really tuned into our fitness, so they're doing our fitness classes. They're using our walking track. They're coming to the gym.”
Some groups come in for educational programs and the men’s therapy support group. The center offers day trips and longer trips.
“All of our programs and services are geared toward keeping our seniors living independently,” Smith said.
Other services include Medicare consultation, senior home helpers, minor home repair, chronic disease management and daily activities. Their nutrition programs include daily lunches, Prospect Perks Coffee and Café, and catering and rentals provide some income for the center.
The senior center office in Dover oversees satellite centers open around the county. The Winchester, Newcomerstown, Claymont, Garaway, Strasburg and Tusky Valley centers serve the needs of seniors in their neighborhoods.
The staff sees success stories every day. After one man who was unable to drive lost his wife, he began using the transportation services to come to the center two days a week for lunch. In a short period of time, he met new friends and became involved in other activities that enhanced his day.
“It was just a good fit for him, and it changed his whole path because he could have stopped doing everything that he loved to do,” Smith said.
Guests also should be on the lookout for the new décor that was updated over last year’s Christmas break to give the center a more modern look.
The Tuscarawas County Senior Center is a first stop for people age 50 and up.
“We're a resource center. If we don't have it here, we'll connect you to services in our community,” said Vicki Yates, a longtime employee at the center who currently serves as director of fund development.
Visit www.tuscsc.org.
