The North 65 Center was the topic of a program presented during Thursday’s meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club. Debbie Carman was the program chairman.
North 65 Center Administrator Connie Reed gave a history of the senior center, which began in the late 1960s as a “senior citizens club” that was organized and met at the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library. In 1971, Susanne Walden helped establish a not-for-profit organization so that a meal program could be added. The Jaycees served as sponsor. In 1984, a formal senior center was established and was located next to the Fair Drug before moving to another building on Main Street. In 1998, the current location was purchased and since that time has undergone extensive renovations.
Mrs. Reed said there are many activities that take place at the center, which opens each day at 6 a.m. when the cooks arrive to prepare meals. Among the activities are pool, card playing, puzzles, line dancing, exercising and health screenings. There is also an activity night on Tuesday’s and Bingo is held on Thursday nights.
Meals are served at the center Monday through Friday, beginning at 11:15 a.m. Anyone can come for a meal. Persons ages 60 and over are asked to pay $4 per meal while those under the age of 60 are asked to pay $6.50. The center also has volunteers who deliver meals to shut-ins, with Mrs. Reed saying that not only do they deliver meals to the shut-ins, but visit with them as well.
Board President Gary Schuett noted that the center has a budget of around $250,000 and gets around $220,000 from federal funding, payment for meals, the senior tax, United Way and building rental. Other fundraisers are held to make up the difference. This year the senior center plans a community art fair/art auction on Sept. 15. A committee has been formed and is working on the event, with additional information to be announced.
During the business meeting, it was announced that Show-Me Rotary activities would be held March 28-29 in Jefferson City. Tickets for the “Trenton’s Got Talent” fundraiser for Backpack Buddies were distributed. The event will be held on March 15 in the Trenton Middle School gym and will feature youth talent performances and a dessert bar at intermission. The cost is $5. Tickets are available at Hoffman-Reed north store, Farmer’s Bank of Northern Missouri, Hometown Pharmacy and the Trenton Republican-Times.
During a meeting of the board, it was voted to make a $300 donation to both the North 65 Center and the North Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center.
Next week will be the Valentine program with Teresa Cross as program chairman.
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