www.ourtownlive.com

Center opens Jan. 14

By Mary Owen

Hankering for a game of bridge?

Want to learn a new hobby?

How about just passing a few hours making something fun?

The opportunities will abound for area seniors to do any of these activities or just want to sip a cup of coffee with friends at the new Santiam Senior Center.

“We haven’t lined up a whole lot yet, but anything can happen,” said Mel Tufteskog, one of six board members who have put in time during the past 10 months to make the center happen.

Tufteskog, 65, has his own long list of possibilities: games, music, computer training, hobby and other classes. “Possibly a class on how to repair or care for your auto or how to make minor home repairs,” Tufteskog said. “We just need people to come in and share their ideas.”

Seniors age 50 and older are invited to  find out more about the center at its open house slated for noon to 6 p.m. on Jan. 14. Santiam Senior Center is housed in a Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company building at 4818 Kingston-Jordan Road.

“We’re excited,” said Tufteskog about the opening, some two years after Greg McWayne and his wife, Ruth, teamed up with Stayton resident Lee Hazelwood to explore the possibility of having a senior center in town.

That effort fizzled, but in February, more than 20 residents showed up at a community meeting to review the possibility and the idea took off.

Now Santiam Senor Center president Greg McWayne, Tufteskog, Hazelwood and their fellow board members, Leslie and Margaret Burns and Jean Counes, hope that their 10 months of planning will be well received by center members and visitors.

According to Tufteskog, CARTS will consider putting the center on its route so seniors with transportation needs can participate in the games, trips, classes and other offerings.

“We’ll have blood pressure checks between 10 a.m. and noon on the second Tuesday of the month starting in February, and possibly other health classes,” Tufteskog said. “We also hope people will use the community rooms for their clubs and activities.”

The center, which has a handicap-accessible entry, still needs a few things to make it senior friendly, including donations of furniture, electronic equipment, art for the walls, games, craft supplies and books.

“We also need another board member,” Tufteskog said. “And some help to put in the plants in front of the building.

Nancy Hendricks of Fresh to You donated the plants.

“We also need volunteers to keep this all going,” Tufteskog added.

“We don’t have any food available right now, so if you’re coming for the day, bring a sack lunch,” Tufteskog said. “I hope that people will come out and see us – and enjoy!”