If you are like me, you might sometimes fall into a trap – or a bad habit — of stereotyping or of jumping to conclusions. That is how I felt about the Senior Center. Actually, at first, I didn’t feel anything about it. I drove past it once or twice, though it is not on the way to anything since it is tucked away between the Carolina Café and the Community College in Spindale. However, I heard about it. Repeatedly. It began to pique my interest. A colleague at work kept saying she loves her Zumba class … at the Senior Center. A competitor at pickleball said he teaches cooking classes … at the Senior Center. A man with a yoga mat tucked under his arm said he had a great workout … at the Senior Center. Eventually, I couldn’t stay away.
The first time I visited, I was amazed that the parking lot was full. It is not a small lot. I counted at least 80 cars, and more were arriving when I showed up late in the morning on a Thursday. Apart from the two greeters at the front entrance, dozens of people were engaged in various activities: selecting books from the small library; using the free computers; emerging from yoga/pilates fusion class; playing cards; talking to friends; going to art class; anticipating lunch. These are not sad, lonely, doddering seniors parked in the corner in their wheelchairs until their families pick them up. These are vibrant, friendly, active people who know a good thing when they find it. Yes, for those nursing an injury or wanting a slower pace, there are options to participate in physical activities from the safety of a chair: yoga, Zumba, volleyball. However, for the more active, there is a bike club and outdoor games as well as the annual Senior Games featuring basketball and disc golf. On May 1, they broke ground on new outdoor pickleball courts!
Rutherford County residents are older than state and national averages, with a median age of about 46 years. 41 percent of the population is aged 55 and older, the required age to join the Senior Center. That means 2 out of every 5 persons are potential members! At peak times in the winter, more than 700 individuals visit in a single month, often to enjoy a free lunch (free if one is 60 years or older; otherwise, it costs $8.03). With financial support from RHI Legacy, as well as other state and federal block grants, the Center’s food service staff prepare and serve up to 400 meals a day. Volunteers deliver 200 of those meals to shut-ins and another 30 to a congregate (group) meal site in Ellenboro.
How does a distressed county in Appalachia make all this happen? Through the vision and the efforts of their staff (in particular Director Tammy Aldridge), the Senior Center has received more than $1 million in grants in the last 5 years. These grants funded a 14-passenger van for day trips, home delivery of food, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, new computers and other upgrades. Certified professionals teach fitness classes, dance, art and cooking. Volunteers teach crafting and lead other activities. These classes are free to members, but instructor time and class materials may be paid by these grants. The Center also accepts monetary donations; for example, an anonymous donor made the pickleball courts possible.
For the past 5 years, the Rutherford County Senior Center has been named a Center of Excellence by the State Division of Aging and Adult Services. Being Excellent translates to 3 shares of the State’s annual appropriation to the approximately 170 senior centers in the state, money to invest in programs and features. (Lower ranks get 2 shares or 1.) Being a Center of Excellence has been earned by about 60% of all senior centers in North Carolina. However, 3 times I heard that the state accreditors said the Rutherford County Senior Center is “one of the top 3 in the state.” Let that sink in. This means Rutherford County out-performs centers in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and most other cities and counties in North Carolina!
In sum, don’t let bias or stigma affect your behavior. Whether you want to play Bocce, learn a new skill, get fit, or meet new people, the Senior Center is worth a visit. Also, if you are stretching your dollars, you will not find better value.
