All are welcome at the Hawley Senior Center
By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ
HAWLEY, PA — Ask Seagraves what she loves about the Hawley Senior Center. She'll tell you about the people.
There's one lady, 102 years old, who ran a senior center for 50 years. …
Photos contributed by the Hawley Senior Center
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There's one lady, 102 years old, who ran a senior center for 50 years. She volunteered until 10 years ago. "She's an amazing person," she said.
And "One man was a piece of work." She had a sign that read something like, "If you're going to be grouchy, ornery or mean, you owe me $10." "Well," said Seagraves, "he looked at that sign and said, 'That's for me, isn't it?'"
Doesn't every family have a curmudgeon? But no matter how grumpy someone is, Seagraves and her staff try to make "everyone feel a part of this place and be part of the family."
The center offers things to do, of course. Bob Molle brings his friend Dennis to the center. "There are card games, bridge," he said. "There's a little park next door." There's a computer with WiFi, so if you need to surf the internet or watch a video, you can.
Mah-jongg is offered Mondays and Wednesdays. There's bingo. "And we're looking for people who like pinochle," Seagraves said.
The ceramics classes are popular, and the county Area Agency on Aging newsletter spotlights what people are making: a mother duck with ducklings, the Virgin Mary, a lighthouse.
But it's not just about sitting around. Exercise is important, especially for seniors. "We have games, exercise equipment, a treadmill and bike, a Bowflex, weights," she said. "We have tai chi on Wednesdays."
And then there are the meals. Menus are posted on the Area Agency on Aging website, and you have to call the day before to reserve your food. Seniors pay $2.50; non-seniors pay $5.50.
Anyone is invited, no matter where you're from; Molle and his friend are from Narrowsburg, NY.
"We have a lot of New York people," Seagraves said. "Anybody that wants to come here is welcome." Wayne Transportation, which picks up and drops people off at the center, can't go to Pike County or to New York, but that's the only hitch.
"Lu is a lovely lady," Molle said. "The program's run very well. It's more fun here, having other people around."
That's what it's about: companionship. "If you're by yourself and you're a senior [if you come here] you aren't alone," Molle said.
"We try to keep minds occupied, provide something to give people a sense of purpose," Seagraves said. "We might be old, but we're not dead."
Contact the Hawley Senior Center at 570/226-4209.
Hawley Senior Center,	purpose,	family,	classes,	exercise,	meals
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