Tusky Valley Senior Center to hold open house Feb. 7
The new Tusky Valley Senior Center is supported by a nonprofit run by a large board of community leaders intent on making the location a hub of activity for people age 50 and older.
The new Tusky Valley Senior Center will hold an open house Friday, Feb. 7 with two times to accommodate visitors. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4-6 p.m. Refreshments will be available, and a lunch prepared by the Canal Street Tavern will be served at 11 a.m. Visitors are asked to enter door No. 4 at the back of the school.
The new senior center has come together rather quickly. Talk of opening it in the old Tusky Valley High School began only last July among a small group of people working with the Tuscarawas County Senior Centers.
The idea was sparked when Tusky Valley Superintendent Derek Varansky mentioned the possibility of starting a senior center in the building to Jamie Smith, executive director of the Tuscarawas County Senior Center.
“The space is great,” Smith said. “I presented the idea to folks in the Bolivar-Zoar community and basically just turned it over to them.”
Since then a governing board has been assembled, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established and the center created.
The TVSC promises to become a gathering place and a resource for area residents age 50 and older. The cafeteria will serve as the hub, offering coffee and conversation, card and board games, and crafts and other activities.
The gym will be available to members for walking and organized exercise such as drumming for fitness. The school auditorium and Trojan Center community center also will be available as needed.
“I saw a study that said by 2035, for the first time in the United States, there are going to be more people 65 and older than there are children 5 and under,” said Dr. Dale Duerr, a board member. “They need some place for exercise, mental stimulation, social contacts and proper diet. All those things will be available here.”
David Green, president of the board, said he believes the center has opened quickly because the right people came together at the right time. He also credits Heather Blacka, manager of the Strasburg Senior Center, for her help.
Jessie Edwards, board secretary, said the location of the senior center is important. “We don’t really have a town center like many communities do. We meet people at the school, the church or grocery store. I think our school district is just part of who we are.”
The open house
On the day of the event, guests can sign up as members for $10 a year. Nancy Raber, manager of the TVSC, said the center will be open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., although some evening hours are being considered if enough interest is present.
“We’ll have lunch available for just $5 every day, but we will ask people to order in advance,” Raber said. “We also plan to take two local field trips per month and bring in guest speakers.”
A calendar of events will be available at the open house, along with additional information on the center. The board also hopes those who attend will share ideas for activities and events so the center can reflect the needs of the community.
“It’s important to be around other people rather than sitting in our home alone,” Roxie Long said. “I live alone, and on cold days, I’m just kind of stuck alone. It will be nice to come over here and socialize a bit.”
Board member Tyler Kahler said, “In the absence of a place like this for seniors to go, the statistics show that if people don’t have a family structure or other built-in network, it’s not a good situation to be in. Hopefully, something like this, in a community that tends to be very tight-knit, will draw people out.”
Senior centers in Tuscarawas County are funded largely by levies, grants and donations. The TVSC has placed a wish list on amazon.com for anyone who would like to contribute items needed at the center, and people can donate during the open house.
Volunteers also are needed to help serve lunches, assemble and mail newsletters, and for crafts or other activities.
The TVSC is located at the former Tusky Valley High School, 2367 Tusky Valley Road, Zoarville. Visit the center’s Facebook page.