Senior center to open new satelite in Strasburg

The Tuscarawas County Senior Center announced a new satellite center in Strasburg for anyone age 50 or older. This decision was made by the senior center board of directors at its regular monthly meeting in June. The board voted unanimously to accept the business plan for the Strasburg Senior Center and create a new satellite in the county.

“We are very excited for this new center to open and the impact it will have on those 50 and older living in and around the village of Strasburg. Our main Dover site will provide supportive services as well as linkages to all programs and services offered including transportation, minor home repair, in-home services and fitness,” said Jamie L. Smith, executive director of the Tuscarawas County Senior Center.

Currently, there are six senior center locations across the county: Dover, Uhrichsville (Claymont), Sugarcreek (Garaway), Mineral City, Newcomerstown and Westchester. Each satellite falls under the operations of the Dover site; however, several satellites have a board of directors that manages the overall operations of the site: Garaway, Newcomerstown, Strasburg and Westchester.

The establishment of a Strasburg Senior Center came about with an advocate group led by Lynda Greco, who created a work group of individuals living within the village of Strasburg.

Greco was a proponent of having a center and was able to lead people to the table to begin having conversations on how to build a center from scratch. “I’m excited to see a senior center here in Strasburg for our seniors to be able to enjoy and have a place to gather and socialize,” Greco said.

Her team developed into a functioning board of directors that then created a business plan for approval by the Tuscarawas County Senior Center.

“This working group created a worthy plan worth investing in as the lead center in the county. The Strasburg center will have access to levy funds to assist with operations as well as a part-time manager supervised by the executive director at the Dover site,” said Matt Kinsey, president of the TCSC Board of Directors.

The Strasburg Senior Center will be located at the United Methodist Church, 206 Second St. NW, Strasburg.

“The church, like the synagogues of Bible times, should be the center of the community. I am excited about this opportunity and eager for the opportunities for our seniors,” Rev. Matthew Wald said.

The center is set to open on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 8 a.m. The days of operation will initially be Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed for observed holidays and when Strasburg-Franklin Local Schools are closed due to inclement weather.

Programs and services offered will be bingo, card games, crafts, educational speakers, fitness classes, Bible study and more. Lunch will be offered for $4 per person. All lunches will be ordered through the Strasburg Senior Center and delivered by the Tuscarawas County Senior Center. The Strasburg Senior Center can be called at 330-878-4048.

A monthly newsletter will be created to include schedule of events and the lunch menu. All lunches can be ordered the day before by calling the Strasburg Senior Center.

Anyone willing to volunteer can contact Heather Blacka, Strasburg satellite manager at the center. The center also will accept monetary donations and donations of office supplies, craft supplies, a dorm-size refrigerator, cleaning supplies and coffee. This is not an exhaustive list, so contact the satellite manager for more information.