The Edmonds Senior Center
A beehive of activity with a place for fun, shopping, and meeting new friends. By Beth Bond.
Every day holds opportunities for having fun adventures and meeting new friends. But, sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of the opportunities for adventure, companionship and learning all in our own backyard.
For example, where can you take a class in jewelry making, brush up on your Spanish, and take the bus with your friends to the casino? Well, the Edmonds Senior Center offers all that and more! Their beautiful waterfront property was deeded to the city in 1973. And, it has been a source of civic pride for the community and a haven for local seniors ever since.
Monday through Saturday doors open at 9 AM, when Elsie Krueger, a regular of 13 years, starts the big urn of coffee and sets out the fresh, warm cookies. Char Lueger comes in from her home in Everett and begins the preparations for the daily hot lunches. She has done this for 8 years and plans for 40 hot lunches every day. She is also responsible for the five major big dinner celebrations the center provides: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter and Mother’s Day. The Thrift Shop, which adjoins the center at 220 Railroad Avenue, opens their doors at 10am. Barbara Halseth has been manager since 2007, with a trained staff of regulars that receives all donations and prices each item for placement on the sales floor.
Alice or Ray are “regulars” at the cash register and will ring up your selections from wardrobe essentials like shoes, dresses, suits or jackets to crystal glasses or small appliances. Of course, when the men come in, they gravitate to the row of automobile accessories, garden tools, and sports paraphernalia. The thrift shop is a good place to select costumes, or special event clothes like Hawaiian or Western wear. So, come and shop when you drop off that bundle of gently used discards. The thrift shop provides the senior center with 25% of its operating budget.
In addition to the variety of specialty classes that the center offers, there is an exercise class that meets weekly, and regulars for poker and bingo. Or, how about, “no-fear” painting, beginning computers, woodworking, quilting or ceramics to strike your fancy this winter?
If you or your friends are new to the area, or just haven’t got around to finding things to do, then this is the place to meet people, learn a new skill and make some new friends. Why not drop in for that hot lunch, sit at that table with three soon-to-be friends and enjoy that beautiful panoramic view of the Edmonds harbor? Often there is one of our regulars, “tinkling-the-ivories” with some of your old favorite songs.
You do not have to be a member to enjoy the many activities of the center. The friendly gals at the front desk will hand you a menu and the newsletter of what’s happening this week. But, after a few weeks of events, most people feel the $25 membership dues is a bargain in discounts for activities and having the newsletter sent to your home.
Farell Fleming who has been the executive director of the senior center from 2001 to 2007 and again from 2010 to the present, tells me that although the center has been in operation since 1967, it was officially deeded to the City of Edmonds by a HUD grant in 1973. The grant stipulates that the property must be used for seniors. The special relationship shared by the city and the senior center, will hopefully pave the way to an expansion in 2017.
By joining with Parks and Recreation the center will create a community center for everyone, with doors that open from 8AM to 10PM all year long. Farrell continues to be a charismatic leader and a staunch supporter at the helm of the Edmonds Senior Center, now and in its future role. And, I have it on good authority that Farrell has been known to buy a shirt or sweater from the thrift shop.
Like all non-profits, the center relies on financial donations from membership dues and gifts. And of course, from the material goods donated to the thrift shop. The smooth, successfully running day to day operation of the center, the social activities, classes and parties is due entirely to the dedicated volunteers.
So, why not drop in for a hot lunch some day, sit at a small table, listen to the music, and enjoy the best view in the northwest. After all, you get the best of both worlds - you can have a good time and be assured that it is for a good cause.
