Seniors Play Major Role in Paving the Way for Future Generations

As published in the Southington (CT) Citizen, Friday, May 24, 2013

By E. Richard Fortunato

Foreword

Calendar House Senior Center, Southington, CT.

The members of Southington's Calendar House Senior Center are real people, who are active, staying fit, learning and teaching others more about their own life experiences. They enjoy social interaction, travel, recreation and time to have fun,too. This is a special time in their lives.

Here's their story.

At the May 14th meeting of the Senior Advisory Commission, Town Manager Garry Brumback congratulated the commission  and the seniors who have worked together to forge viable new directions for the Calendar House Senior Center in the past nine months.

Brumback said: “The revitalization of our center is impressive. The enthusiasm of the member citizens and their willingness to volunteer their diverse life experience and skills have been a huge factor in the development of a new road to the future. They have defined specific areas to study and established concrete goals.”

Add captioC. Mark White at Calendar House 

Research gathered by C. Mark White, a Senior Advisory Commissioner and V.P. of Calendar House Membership Association is a part of the view of the term. “The 2010 census reported 13,364 people aged 55+ in Southington, 31% of the total population. Today, in 2013, it’s up to 33% of the town population who now eligible for Calendar House membership”.

Demographic forecasts show that “baby-boomers” will push senior population to 17,470 by end of 2027, or 41% of the town. This means seniors would outnumber parents of the town’s school children! White said: “The coming senior generation is of a different culture, and as it grows, it’s predictable that they will be vocal and have expectations of service as strong as current school parents.”

Peter Freeman, President of
Calendar House Membership Assn.

Peter Freeman, President of CHMA and member of the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission, said: “We’ve made great strides in past months working with the commission since it became an advisory body to Calendar House. A huge benefit is the formation of a Dial-A-Ride Bus Audit Team of Ed Pocock, Jr, Mark White and me. Scheduling transportation for seniors to appointments is more efficient. Office staff does the scheduling rather than bus drivers, freeing them to do what they do best: drive buses. Overtime is reduced and work allocated equitably. Since last August the team continues to meet every six weeks.”

Dial-A-Ride Bus

White added, “We’ve set up an electronic data system combining records of members and bus riders which will enable us to efficiently manage the service. GPS loggers now track bus operations, which will provide invaluable routing data.”

A tour with Secretary Cynthia Gilbert presents the recent updating of the facility’s interior, freshly re-painted with enhanced wall décor, upgrades in restrooms and kitchen and the addition of a warmly decorated new mini-lounge. There are two Internet-accessed computers for the use of seniors and a new electronic bulletin board displayed on a large monitor in the foyer. “Volunteers did the work; material was donated or purchased at deep discounts with minimal costs covered by budget.” Gilbert said, adding that another committee of volunteers has been working with her and Executive Director, Bob Verderame for a few months with an outside vendor on a newly design lively format for the center’s new monthly newsletter. First edition will reach all Southington residences and businesses very soon.

Cliff Snow, a commissioner and CHMA Board member drafted an updated set of by-laws for the Advisory Commission. Program Coordinator, Sharyn Murphy is working with volunteers researching newer ideas for activities and places to go for seniors who like taking such trips.

A most exciting undertaking, proposed by Brumback last fall, is a long term needs study. “We must have a vision that assesses the services and uses of our senior center today along with research that explores projections 5 to 10 years forward and a strategy for getting there and how to fund it. The staff, seeing that they are being held accountable, has stepped up their energy, enthusiasm and productivity in a positive spirit of cooperation with seniors and the commission.”

As the Town Council addresses the status of the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission next week, it is imperative that they understand and consider the outstanding achievements at next Tuesday's council meeting. In collaboration with Calendar House management, staff and the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission, Senior members themselves have energetically contributed to major changes in the past nine months. The results deserve nothing less than their sincere thanks and unanimous and swift action to empower the coalition continue to forge the way for future generations of the 55+ age group without delay!