Kell New Renovo Senior Center Head
by Barbara Mastriania
SOUTH RENOVO – Carol Bowes Kell is the new director of the Renovo Senior Center, working to make people more aware of the many activities that take place at the center in the South Renovo fire hall and to get increased participation in those activities.
Seniors citizen services at the center are provided through the Lycoming Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP) Inc. Office of Aging. The local Area Agency on Aging works to advance the well-being of Pennsylvania’s older adults residing in Lycoming and Clinton Counties.
According to the STEP, Inc. website, its vision is that older adults enjoy an enhanced quality of life through service options and the opportunities afforded by choice. STEP Office of Aging provides easy access to services for people age sixty and over through nine senior community centers and two social services offices. Its mission is to engage diverse individuals in the pursuit of social and economic success.
The nine senior centers are active gathering places for seniors to stay engaged in their communities. Senior Centers provide opportunities for volunteer work, fellowship, games and activities, health screenings and information, various forms of exercise, and healthy meals. Senior centers also serve their community through Meals on Wheels deliveries, craft donations, and in many other ways.
Kell has been on the job for a month at the South Renovo center. She has been initiating activities to stimulate more and new interest in the senior center, according to volunteer Ginny Serafini. “Carol is trying to get more people to come into the center and see what there is to do,” she said. “She wants us to have more fun and family activities.”
Some of those activities include stretch band exercise on Tuesdays at 10 o’clock in the morning and noodle exercises that they used to have are back on the schedule for Thursday mornings at 10 o’clock. Zumba Gold, a popular dance type of exercise is currently held on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
While the meals are prepared by a food service, senior center volunteers put together and deliver Meals and Wheels each day. Meals are also available to area senior citizens at the center. There is no charge for the lunch, but donations are accepted. However donations are not required. Area seniors are also welcome to stop in the center just for cookies and coffee or to chat with whoever is there.
“Carol of working real hard to build up interest and more participation,” Serafini said. For example monthly outings have been organized. The outings have included a tea party, a picnic at Quiet Oaks camp ground, visits to area restaurants. This month the outing is a ride on the Hiawatha river boat. The center pays for outings. Center members car-pool for transportation.
Center members and volunteers hold various fund raisers such as a successful bingo night held earlier this month.
A pirate bingo is planned for later this month. The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is welcome to come in and learn about the schedule of the various activities it offers.
