Grant County Senior Center plays host to Chamber Coffee

The weekly Chamber Coffee took place at the Grant County Senior Center Jan. 17 and new Senior Center Director Nancy Borthwick showcased what the center has t offer and what her plans are moving forward after she took over the center Dec. 30.

“I have to give the staff and our volunteers, the endless hours, the tirelessness that they work, I have to tell you, they are amazing, and this place would not run without them,” Borthwick said. “So, I appreciate them. They’re amazing and this place wouldn’t run as well as it does if it wasn’t for them.”

Borthwick commented on the building, which is paid for by tax dollars and invited the community to visit.

“We’re not calling it the senior center as often as we can because this is just ‘The Center,’” Borthwick said. “You don’t have to be old to come here. Sixty is not old. That’s my age limit, but it is not old, I have met so many people here that are in their 70s and 80s, and a couple of days older than that and they do not act old.

“I prefer this to be called the center so that we are not reminded that we’re old and just come and enjoy.”

Borthwick outlined some activities in the works at ‘The Center,’ including a Pitch Party that took place this past Monday, as well as a game of Sequence at 1 p.m. Jan. 28.

“If you don’t know how to play, it’s super easy, it’s pretty fun, come in we’ll teach you how to play it and you’ll have a good time, I promise,” Borthwick said.

She said she’s learning a lot every day and is excited to be at the senior center.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here and to just be a part of this community a little bit deeper than what I already have,” Borthwick said.

Borthwick mentioned Friendship Meals, which is meals the center delivers for homebound people in the community Monday through Friday. She said anybody who wants to have meals delivered or knows of someone who needs it can contact the center or stop by 117 East Grant. She said the center is taking donations to help fund the meals.

Chamber Director Marita Hauser discussed the “Senior Prom” that the Junior Leadership class puts on each spring at the center.

“Anybody can come to the center and enjoy the prom that the kids put on,” Hauser said. “Every year we come away with the kids enjoying that inter-generational contact as much as the people who came to enjoy the prom.”

Upcoming events include a local business owners and managers meeting once a month and the next one is at 7 a.m. Feb. 12 at Bear Creek Coffee. The idea is to bring community businesses together to talk about the community and what is needed for the future.

The Grant County Library continues to sponsor Coats for Kids, bring gently used and clean coats, hats, gloves and jackets to the library.

The Pink-out basketball game is Jan. 31 at Ulysses High School, and will include a Survivor Walk, raffle, and a silent auction. The event raises money for the community and raised $38,000 last year.

Legislative Coffees will begin at 1 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Grant County Fire Department on East Oklahoma Avenue, with subsequent coffees March 15 and April 19. Come and visit with state representative Marty Long and state senator Dr. Bill Clifford and hear an update on what’s going on in Topeka.

Cookies and refreshments will be available, sponsored by the Grant County Farm Bureau Association.

There will not be a Chamber Coffee this week, and the next one will be Jan. 31 at Grant County Bank.