Vernon senior center gets face lift

VERNON-The Vernon Senior Citizen Center, which has been serving as a home away from home for many seniors since 1992, has recently been redecorated and is on the look out for new members who can enjoy the cheery atmosphere and the many activities offered there. "We have just had the whole place painted and had a new tile floor put down in the dining room," said Julie Kolakowski, assistant senior citizen activity leader. "It's a very pleasant place to be and we have a number of scheduled activities available daily." The center is open from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday and serves lunch daily at noon. Lunch is $1.50 and must be ordered a day in advance. Those who do not want to buy lunch at the center may bring their own. "We have a wide screen TV, which was donated by one of our seniors, and we were given a digital box by Service Electric, so every morning when the seniors come in I have the TV tuned to the music stations," said Kolakowski. "It gives a nice welcoming feeling when our guests come in." Many of the seniors like to play pool or cards while others like Frank Macheroneenjoy going on-line on the center's computer. "I like to check my E-mail," he said. "This morning I was checking out some furniture sites, as my wife and I are thinking of buying some." The center has a number of rooms and can be used as a quiet place to relax or as a place to socialize. "Each Monday at 10.30 there is a walkathon and seniors walk laps around the parking lot," Kolakowski said. "On Wednesdays we have a ceramics class, Thursday we have bingo, Friday we have line dancing and we are looking for people who know how to play bridge, as some of our seniors have expressed an interest in learning it. "The more people participate the more they feel included in the community," she added. For more information call Kolakowski at 973-764-4055, ext. 2294.