Montville’s older residents who are looking for a social outing, a dinner with friends, and some entertainment need look no farther than Montville’s Senior Center.
The first of three summer barbecues, all comfortable indoor events, was held on June 25. Two more are scheduled for July 30 and Aug. 27, the last Wednesday of each month. All are from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the center at 12 Maple Avenue. A donation of $4 is requested.
Each event features live entertainment. Vocalist Casey Clark sang a variety of popular show tunes, from Sinatra to Doris Day and Karen Carpenter, at the June event. The Willimantic resident, who also is a social worker, performs at senior centers and community concerts in the region. Upcoming events include Mr. Magic and another performer to be announced.
The senior center has been holding the summer barbecues—fund-raisers for its activities year round—for at least 12 years, according to Kathleen Doherty-Peck, director of senior and social services.
“We take our dinners seriously,” she said. The June dinner menu included grilled chicken, pasta salad, baked beans, and dessert. Doherty-Peck and her staff are certified food handlers, and the senior center has a food service license.
Thanks to ongoing donations of food and cash by area businesses, organizations, and seniors themselves, she said the center is able to put most of the contributed ticket sales from the barbecues toward programs for seniors. This means the center’s programs are offered free of charge, she said. There may be incidental charges for equipment and supplies, such as materials the seniors use in the painting classes.
At a time when all town budgets are under scrutiny, following the public referendum on July 1, when residents sent the town budget and increased mill rate back to Town Council, she said the senior center is doing its part to control rising costs.
“The Senior Center is cutting the gas usage and overtime for bus drivers on the weekends, shutting off unused lights during the day and limiting off-hours at the center by not being open on Sundays and Monday nights, and limiting Senior Club meetings to once a month,” she said in a recent statement.
Doherty-Peck said the seniors themselves are some of the best contributors and frugal savers.
“Many of the donations that I receive actually come from our seniors who know that our dinners are our fund-raisers,” she said. “Lots of times our seniors will go to the store and get the ‘buy one get two free’ sale and bring the free ones down to us. We collect donations on almost a daily basis.”
Seniors also run active raffles during the barbecues to win gift baskets donated by town businesses.
The center also has a dinner and a movie event once a month, always on Tuesdays, usually the second Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m., for a $4 donation request.
“You can’t beat that,” Doherty-Peck said.
For a full listing of senior center programs, go to www.townofmontville.org or call the center at 848-0422. Advance sign-up is requested for the upcoming fund-raiser barbecues.
By Suzanne Thompson
Times Staff Writer