BY HELEN HANNAN, Courier Correspondent
December 18, 2007 05:54 pm
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OTTUMWA — It is 11:15 a.m. and the buzz of conversation fills the cheery dining room at the Ottumwa Senior Center.
John Latham of Blakesburg and Orin Derby of Ottumwa are among the several clusters of early birds visiting until serving begins at 11:30 a.m. The pair compare war experiences as they sit at a table near the door. Latham served in Korea; Derby in Germany.
Coming regularly for the last two-and-one-half-years, Derby said he began eating at the Center “because my daughter said I wasn’t eating right. And, where can you eat for any less money and good food to?” he demanded.
Latham who often eats at the Center agreed the food is always good and reasonable. “I’m a pretty good cook,” he drawled, but “I wouldn’t cook a balanced meal.”
Edna Randal comes every Tuesday because that is the day she can get a ride.
“The place is nice, I enjoy the people, the food is always good, the meals are reasonable,” she said.
Deciding her favorite entrée took a bit of thought before declaring “I love the chicken and the noodles and mashed potatoes and all that fattening stuff,” she smiled.
As do most of the participants, Randal usually stays no more than a couple of hours. She has to be ready when her ride comes to take her home to Camelot Towers.
“It’s nice to get away for a little while,” she said.
Katie Walker, a volunteer for the past 10 or 11 years, usually greets every one as they enter the dining room. She makes sure that newcomers sign in and the regulars are marked on her attendance chart.
The daily count is very important, said Peggy Amos, because funding is based on the number of people served. She explained that the Senior Center is federally, state and locally funded through Seneca Area Agency on Aging. Other funding comes from program funding or an occasional fundraiser done by the board and Senior Center participants,
Amos has a long history of association with the Senior Center as former executive director of Seneca and long time board member. She and her husband, Frank, frequently eat at the Center. They agree that “the food is always very good.”
Frank highly praised Patsy Seals. She “is the glue that holds it [Senior Center] together. She really works hard to see that it goes,” he said.
Seals, board secretary/treasurer, has been with the Senior Center since its inception in the mid 1970s. She said that a local board is a state requirement and is comprised of representatives of agencies serving seniors including public health, RSVP, Seneca, River Hills Community Health Center, Ottumwa Housing Authority, Wapello County Board of Supervisors as well as retirees in the community.
The board owns the building which was donated by the Catholic community seven years ago. After extensive remodeling, funded by donations and special fundraisers, the Senior Center relocated to the new quarters at 117 N. Cooper six years ago, said Seals.
Seneca hires staff which includes two in the office, four or five in the kitchen and delivery people. Volunteers help where needed she said.
According to site director Beverly Nicholson, a daily average of about 185 meals is prepared at the Ottumwa site including home deliveries and satellite sites American Legion in Eddyville on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at the United Methodist Church in Agency on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The daily average served at the Ottumwa site is about 32, although the number fluctuates.
“We encourage people to eat at the meal site rather than home delivery because social interaction is as important as nutrition for seniors; but we still have more home delivery meals than site meals” she said.
The satellite centers and Ottumwa site have the same menus, prepared by Seneca and approved by a state licensed dietitian, said Seals.
“The food is always very good, but we have a hard time surviving because of low attendance.”
A special bus brings people from the high rises one day each week, she said.
Attendance at the satellite sites, operated by volunteers, is “pretty steady,” she said.
Currently, about the only activity at the Ottumwa Center is the daily meal. Activities depend on the people who attend, what they like to do, said Nicholson.
A few people commented that “It would be nice if they played bingo or cards like they used to.” Walker said there is usually bingo on Friday.
Seals said that occasionally speakers are invited to present an educational program on topics of special interest or concern to the senior population. “Watch for the date of the Christmas event which is in the planning stages” said Seals.
The menu for the week is listed, usually on Monday, in the Courier as are special activities. Everyone, regardless of age, is welcome at the Senior Center. The meals are reasonably priced, tasty and nutritious, the staff friendly. Suggested donation is $3 per meal for age 60 and over and spouse of any age. For under age 60, the cost is $4.73 and $3.25 for home-delivered meals.
Reservations are required. Call (641) 682-7600 one day in advance of meal if possible or no later than 8:30 a.m. the day of the meal.
Other meal sites in the 10-county area include Centerville, Bloomfield, Pulaski, Fairfield, Libertyville, Lockridge, Delta, Hedrick, Keota, Richland, Sigourney, What Cheer, Chariton, Fremont, New Sharon, Oskaloosa, Albia, Lovilia, Farmington, Keosauqua, Milton, Stockport, Douds, Birmingham, Agency, Eddyville, Corydon, Lineville, and Seymour.
For more information, call Seneca at (641) 682-2270 or 800-642-6522 or E-mail Seneca@seneca-aaa.org
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