43
The more members, the more memories
AUSTINTOWN
With more than 1,800 members, Austintown Senior Center, 112 Westchester Drive, is quickly becoming the township’s biggest attraction.
Helen Kaniclides moved to Austintown from her Trumbull County home to be closer to her daughter. Another reason she moved was to become involved with the senior center.
“I’m just amazed with all the different programs here,” Kaniclides said. “It gives me a reason to get out of bed.”
Kaniclides said she signed up to be a member shortly after she moved.
Despite moving to be closer to her daughter, Kaniclides said she is often alone.
The center was designed to bring seniors out of their homes to participate in classes, social gatherings, lunches and more.
Originally started as a purely donation-based facility, the township introduced a five-year 0.5-mill senior citizen service levy in 2011. When the levy passed, the newfound, steady income of $300,000 per year allowed the center to expand.
Now, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, more than 100 senior citizens congregate at the center to take classes, socialize and, most importantly, get out of their homes.
Several classes are offered providing opportunities to stay both physically and mentally active. Some of the programs include fencing, shooting, Civil War history, spinning, ballroom dancing, woodworking, yoga, quilting, card playing and wine making.
The classes, led by volunteer instructors or other seniors who share their expertise, contribute not only to keeping seniors active, but also to keeping seniors social.
Georgia Alberta “Birdie” Noday, a welder and riveter from the World War II era, first came into the area to support her family. Now, years later, she doesn’t have much family in the area left.
“I had – and still have – dinners with my son on Wednesdays, and before this, that was my only big night out,” Noday said. “Really, I didn’t do much of anything but watch TV and read.”
Before the center opened, Noday said she mostly stayed home and only went out when she had to.
“Well, my friends are all gone, so I’m fortunate for this place,” Noday said. “Otherwise I would be in bad shape. ... I love it, and the people are so nice.”
Carolyn Miller said being active at the center is much better than sitting at home and twiddling your thumbs.
“It gives you something to look forward to, and you’re learning things, too,” Miller said. “When my husband passed away in 2012, I thought, ‘I have to get involved in something.’ If not, you just sit at home and feel sorry for yourself. You don’t want to do that.”
Miller said if the center wasn’t there, there would be a lot of lonely people.
“You might be going through things, and when you come here, everybody is here for everybody,” Miller said.
These women formed a group when they met at the center called Senior Outreach Service.
Those participating make bookmarks, calendars and other crafts for nursing homes around the community.
Kaniclides said the volunteer work of SOS gives her so much joy to be able to do something for others.
Jim Henshaw, senior center director, also gets joy out of providing for the seniors.
Many members agreed.
Anytime they want a new class at the center, Henshaw ensures they see it soon after their requests.
Henshaw said the center welcomes seniors of all communities, only charging $36 per year for those coming from outside Austintown.
Henshaw encourages seniors and the rest of the township’s residents to vote for the renewal of the senior levy March 15.