IN McKeesport Spring 2014 | Page 36

McKEESPORT SENIOR CENTER C ity of Mc Keesport N ews cKeespor t By Annette James The McKeesport Senior Citizens Center was established in February 2002, and dedicated to the use of senior citizens who reside in the city for social gatherings and other functions. This group was started by gentlemen who met on a park bench at a baseball field. Later, they met at the park office building, and then moved to their current location in the repurposed concession stand near the Jacob Woll Main Pavilion. Mayor Cherepko is committed to expanding the newly named Renzie Seniors Center Club. The primary way that this will be accomplished is by lowering the age of potential members to age fifty. “Many folks are retiring early or would like to join a social club while they’re still in the workforce, and this will open the door to these potential new members”, said Mayor Cherepko. When you mention a senior center, many people think of folks just sitting around, but that’s not the case with this newly reorganized group. New board members will soon be appointed, and committee members have many new and exciting activities planned in the upcoming months. Some of the things in the works are bingo games, bus trips to casinos, a trip to Harrisburg with a tour of Pennsylvania’s capital, and a flea market. The group holds regular card games, and currently has 300 members. On the third Thursday of each month, the birthdays of members who mark their special day in that month are celebrated with cake for all. Some of the much needed building improvements that have been made over the years have been thanks to grants obtained by both former State Senator Sean Logan and current State Senator Jim Brewster, such as new flooring, a new kitchen, a new television, and other improvements. If you’re interested in becoming a member, you can stop by the Senior Center any weekday. 34 McKeesport Area L&L Christian Bookstore Eat ‘n Park