Citizens' Center
July 2006
Telephone (931) 762-9259 Meal Site (931) 762-1578
E-Mail address: [email protected] Website: www.geocities.com/seniors38464
Corinne Perry, Director James Smith, Chairman
Greetings from the Director and Staff:
Sometimes when shopping, you may come across an item with a phrase on the label �New and Improved�. Businesses that have been around a long time sometimes restructure, remodel, or in some manner change their methods of operating to something better for the current time, and then have a �Grand Re-opening�. This practice is based on sound business principles. We live in a changing world, and some things must change periodically to keep up with current conditions and needs. Sometimes these changes are to accommodate new innovations, and occasionally it might be taking a step back to renew or rekindle something from the past. Whether it is changing to something brand new or revival of something from the past, change is inevitable. I�ve heard it said that the only thing that never changes is the fact that things continue to change. I point this out to preface some comments about potential changes involving our Senior Center (not the building issue). There have been several changes at the Center since I began working here in April 1992- changes in personnel, changes in programs and activities, changes in the means of support for operating costs, etc. My purpose at this time is not to dwell on these past changes, but to share some thoughts on potential changes in the future, with the goal always being to offer the very best possible ways to help people enjoy life during their �golden years�.
If you recall from an earlier newsletter, The Summit, sponsored refreshments and shared a program with us here at the Center to celebrate Valentine�s Day. The Summit also made a generous $1,000 donation to the Center. Summit Director, Patti Shedd, and resident Cromer Smotherman expressed an interest in becoming a �partner� with the Center to work toward the goal of keeping seniors active and interested in life. The Summit is an assisted living facility in Lawrenceburg for people who need help with their daily living, or who choose to live there rather than continuing to maintain a home, thus allowing them to do other things that they would not be able to do otherwise. This �partnership� effort is, admittedly, a marketing tool employed by the Summit ownership, as it gives them a visible presence in circles from which their future clients may come. This is a good business practice for them, and can also help the Senior Center to grow and improve our services. I see it as a WIN - WIN arrangement. This same concept could be used profitably by other businesses or professionals, and we will be exploring the possibility of developing other business partnerships of this type.
Mr. Smotherman was busy for some time with the planning of the Murray Company Reunion. Now that this is over for this year, he is ready and eager to get busy in some efforts to build up and improve our Senior Center -- not the building, but activities and programs to get more seniors to stay active or become active participants in Center activities. Our Senior Center has been blessed in the past in many ways, and in turn has been a blessing to many people in Lawrence County - both seniors and their families. It benefits younger people who have parents or other older relatives when they know their loved ones are staying active and involved in some endeavor that brings them pleasure. To this end, I met with Mr. Smotherman recently and we discussed some visions of things that might pump up interest and participation, and then to find ways to get more older folks to get out of those rocking chairs or recliners and participate in life instead of just watching it go by. You know, we older human beings are much like an older automobile - we can either get repaired as needed and go on doing what we were designed to do, or we can allow ourselves to be parked out in the weeds to rust until we crumble and return to the dust from whence we came.
My personal hope for myself, and my recommendation to others is to LIVE life as long as you HAVE life. You say, �I can�t do the things I used to do� - most of us can�t. You say �wait till you�re (70, 80, or whatever)!� It�s true most of us won�t be able to run a marathon when we are 80, but I hope if I reach that age I can still take a walk in the park. (continued to page 2)
