SENIOR CENTER from Pg 1
jurisdiction for all of Wright County. The Delano bus
now operates the Hennepin County lunch run several
days per week, picking up seniors east of County Line
Road including the towns of Independence, Loretto
and Maple Plain. There is no public transit in this
area, so the Delano bus run gives the residents of these
towns the opportunity for social time while enjoying
a tasty, nutritious lunch at the center. They are also
trying a new service Neaton called “necessity trips,”
offering trips to the bank, grocery store, pharmacy,
restaurants, hair salons, doctors, dentists and more.
“While there is a charge for the trips, this is not a
money-making venture for the center,” Neaton said.
“We charge just enough to keep the program self-
sustaining. Passenger fees cover the costs to maintain
the bus and compensate the drivers.”
The 14-passenger bus in service today is 10 years
old, and Neaton is in the process of applying for a
MnDOT grant to purchase a replacement. Neaton
wants to be proactive and plans to replace the current
bus before it needs more than routine maintenance.
He hopes to have a new bus in service within the next
year or two.
Something for everyone
Care for loved ones,
keeps everyone strong.
Care as it should be.
The Center for Senior Behavioral Health provides
regional innovative mental health services improving
the quality of life for our older adults and their families.
The senior center offers a wide variety of
recreational trips.
“We have something for everyone,” Neaton said.
One of the favorites is Lunch Around the World,
where Neaton plans trips to various international
restaurants throughout the Twin Cities. The group
loves being able to sample cuisine from around the
world. They have visited German, Russian, Polish,
Indian, and other international restaurants around the
Twin Cities. Neaton typically does reconnaissance
prior to scheduling the trips to ensure the restaurant
is a good fi t and can accommodate the seniors.
Other trips the senior center has ventured to include
museums, plays, sightseeing tours, holiday light tours,
and day trips. Day trips are popular outings, and
include shopping, sightseeing, and area tours. A few
of the towns the group has visited include Chippewa
Falls, Northfi eld, Rochester, Little Falls, and Cokato.
Another unique outing was a trip to Minneapolis
so the group could ride the new Metro Green Line.
“We just wanted to do it,” Neaton said. ”It fi lled up
right away and we ended up doing three total trips.”
The trips are great for those who might not get out
otherwise. “People who are living alone might hear
about Paisley Park for example, but they don’t want
to go by themselves. So, we schedule a trip and send
14 people there. They make friends and have a good
time together.”
Sharon, a regular attendee, signs up for 20 to 30
trips each year. “I don’t like sitting home twiddling
my thumbs,” she said, “so I go on as many trips as I
can.”
What was the center’s most popular trip? “I
scheduled a tour of US Bank Stadium after it opened,
and it was so popular, we ended up doing seven trips,”
Neaton said. “In September, we’ll be doing tours of
the new soccer stadium, and we’re excited for that
one.”
The senior center trips are primarily advertised
through the Delano community education guide.
Neaton puts together a three-month trip schedule that
gets printed, and he the sets a sign-up day (three-to-
fi ve days after the guide is mailed). Typically, 20 to
30 people are lined up at 8 a.m. on sign up day and the
most popular outings fi ll up fast. Various impromptu
trips are often added when events pop up that Neaton
thinks the group would be interested in, like tours,
events, day trips, and . . . The Jason Show.
Hospital (320) 693-4500 / Center for Senior Behavioral Health (320) 693-4535
612 Sibley Avenue South / Litchfi eld, Minnesota 55355 / www.meekermemorial.org
The senior center bus parked in front of the Percell Cutts
house on a recent trip.
SOME members of the Delano group wait in line to an-
swer the trivia question on The Jason Show.
PHOTOS BY AMY JOHNSON
2
Senior
Connections September 2019
Senior Connections HJ.COM