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Seniors
gather at center to reminisce
by
Ambria Hammel
NEW RIVER - Nestled within the New River Community Park off
a winding, hilly road stands a large building less than one
year old, yet it beams inside every day with history and nostalgia.
The building is the current home of the New River Senior Center
and fills up with 20 to 40 elderly members from surrounding
communities five days a week. The activities and available
resources abound, but the majority of the seniors who visit
regularly come to reminisce and learn about the area's history
from residents who experienced it.
"They all have stories to tell," said Barb Terwilliger
who directs the center. One was a former musician, one is
still writing at age 91 despite being nearly blind, and several
worked in aviation. Perhaps one of the more complete stories
is that of Bob Greve, a.k.a., "Little Bob," a resident
of New River for 35 years and an original visitor to the senior
center when it was established 15 years ago. |
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He
comes religiously. Why? "Biggest bargain in town, isn't it?"
questioned the healthy 91 year old as if the answer was obvious.
For six hours each day, seniors can sit around one of six tables
in the one room center funded by the Area Agency on Aging and sponsored
by the
Kiwanis of New River. Little Bob loves to "shoot the breeze"
among his handfuls of friends.
Little Bob shares his experiences with those around the table about
working in the various mines once abundant in the Desert Foothills.
He worked at the Red Rover and Gladiator mines and recalls spending
the entire winter of 1937 1938 on Bradshaw Mountain when the snow
piled up as deep as 11 feet. The miner finally decided he wasn't
big enough for that kind of work and attended aviation school.
The field always interested Little Bob. He used to fly biplanes
around New River on his own and later built bombers and fighters
for World War II. Some of the seniors at the center intently pay
attention to his stories and engage in discussion, but not everyone
for it's a large table and multiple conversations often cross paths
and coffee cups.
There is also a group lunch to eat. The free lunch appears to be
but a minor benefit for the seniors when compared to the opportunity
for socializing.
Terwilliger emphasized that the seniors regularly visit the center
for the social aspect.
Many are widows or widowers. Others may have kids in the area with
busy schedules, so the seniors drop by the center like clockwork
to see their friends and make new ones. Most come on their own,
but some are picked up from nearby assisted living facilities and
transported in the center's nine passenger van.
"I don't know how you can do more for old people than this,"
Little Bob said. But the center does a whole lot more. The facility
contains an extensive library of novels and resource information
for community organizations and healthcare.
Terwilliger said many of the seniors enjoy playing dominoes, cards
or bingo. She regularly brings in guest speakers such as underwater
photographer Ron Watkins to give presentations. Terwilliger stocks
the senior center full of activities and organizes field trips such
as one to the Cave Creek Museum to see the special exhibit on loan
from the Smithsonian "At the Controls."
Back at the senior center, members mix it up with some of the community
groups who use the meeting space. The American Sewing Guild's New
River/Anthem chapter recently began holding its monthly meeting
at the facility. Chairperson Bonnie Llewelllyn said the workspace
suits her 15 member club and they enjoy talking with the seniors.
Llewelllyn found it especially heartwarming how the group at the
center rallied around another man who recently lost his wife. This
kind of support is an invaluable resource for the community.
"It's a small world when you talk to people," Little Bob
said. He explained how, when conversing with a stranger, it doesn't
take much time to find common ground. Friendships can be built from
there.
Friends have been developing at the center throughout its history.
"It's really kind of a jewel in the desert that people don't
know about," Llewelllyn said.
The New River Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 48606 N. 17th Ave. For more information,
call (623) 465 0367.
Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com
Upcoming activities:
The New River Senior Center has several ongoing activities. Wood
carving and rock painting have been added to the monthly schedule
as will painting this summer. Other new programs include:
The American Sewing Guild-this Anthem, New River, Desert Hills chapter
of the national organization meets the third Monday of each month
at the center beginning at 9 a.m. Members conduct business and work
on group or individual "art to wear" sewing projects.
For more information, call Jan Goerke at (623) 465 5631 or Bonnie
Llewelllyn at (623) 551 1271.
"Felicity's Girls"-This quilting group meets at the center
the second Thursday and fourth Monday of each month. One of their
first projects will be making a quilt for the Senior Center to raffle
off. The group's next meeting is April 13 at 9 a.m. with a ladies
only pajama party April 21. For more information, call Vicki Olsen
at (623) 551 0264.
Additionally, the Senior Center opens the second Saturday of each
month for a breakfast and flea market fundraiser. Students from
the Boulder Creek High School Key Club prepare and serve the meal.
Tickets are $3 for adults and $1.50 for students.
The biggest event in April is the center's "Celebration Dinner"
to recognize its first anniversary in the new building. Cow Punchers
Catering will serve a barbeque beef or pork cowboy dinner with all
the fixins and the dancing grannies, "The Cactus Kickers,"
will provide entertainment.
Dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. Door prizes and raffle items
are also on the menu. The dinner will be held April 29 from 4 to
6 p.m. at the center, 48606 N. 17th Avenue. RSVP by April 21 at
(623) 465 0367.
For more information on the programs available at the center or
to suggest a program of interest, call Barb at (623) 465 0367. |
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