Senior Leisure Time

The Center provides a place where Seniors can remain a vibrant part of the community through their volunteer efforts. They are involved in after school programs and in teaching skills such as painting and crochet. Seniors frequently use The Center facilities to foster friendships and to "just have fun". Senior Bingo Night is one such fun activity.

Senior Happenings

The Westside Senior Citizen Program continues to grow and evolve in spite of challenges and delays. During the past 12 months, activities and events included: bean dinner sales; pre-Valentine musical; A spring dinner; visits to the Bank of Oklahoma Senior Program and the Elder Care facility; fun night activities, quilting project; computer classes and a workshop on Medicare Plan Part D.

The Westside Senior Citizen Program received grants in 2006 totaling $9,000 from Grand Gateway Area Agency On Aging, 95% of which was spent on repairs and improvements to the building located at 500 Cass. The Westside Senior Citizen Center is one of nine centers located in Washington County receiving funds from Grand Gateway AAA. Of the $234,071 allocated to the seven Northeast Oklahoma counties that Grand Gateway serves, the Westside Senior Citizen Center will receive $8,000 for the year 2007. It is anticipated that upwards of $10,000 will be appropriated to the Westside Senior Citizen Center in the year 2008.  This will go a long way towards completing repairs and improvement projects to the facility.

At the monthly Manpower Breakfast held on November 11, and over view of the Westside Community Center was presented by executive director Morris McCorvey in which he informed the me of the amount of funds to be received this year from the Regional United Way.  Immediately following the breakfast, the group toured the senior citizen facility to see the improvements that have been made to the facility. Bobbi Hornback, case manager for Big Brothers Big Sister made a video presentation to the group informing them of the purpose and benefits of the national program. Later that afternoon, the First Annual Manpower Domino Tournament was held at the Center. Ten men entered the tournament, organized into two categories, single and partners with double elimination. It was great to see two of our "elder" domino players participating, Marvin Renfroe and L.D. Wooten.  The afternoon was filled with jokes and humor and just plain fun. The singles competition was won by Billy Rogers with Roscoe White winning first runner up. The partners competition was won by Phillip Pouncil and Roscoe White. Morris McCorvey and Bill Rogers finished 2nd in the partners competition. The recently formed African American Culture Awareness committee is making plans to celebrate MLK Day and Black History Month. The MLK Day celebration activities will include an evening program on January 15th at 6:00 pm with Rev. Paul Schubert of Abundant Life church as guest speaker. Lance Armstead will present a tribute to Dr. King.  Entertainment will be provided by the Abundant Life Praise Team. Plans are being developed to make this year's celebration of Juenteenth a community-wide affair. Persons interested in serving aer welcome to join the group which meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 pm.

Theresa Green and Barbara Dove of the Grand Gateway Area Agency on Aging conducted a workshop August 22nd at the Westside Community Center on the upcoming changes in the Medicate Prescription Drug Program. Participants agreed the workshop was helpful in bringing citizens up to date on the changes.

The Westside Seniors meet monthly on the first Friday at 1:00 pm.  Persons 55 and older are invited to join the group in planning activities and programs. The Center is asking all seniors to share their skills and wisdom with the After School Zone children Monday through Friday, 3:00-6:00 pm.