By Liz Page
JEFFERSON - George Danforth would be proud to know that the former Jefferson Pamona Grange Hall is now the George Danforth Community Center, which is home to several community oriented things, such as the food pantry, the thrift shop and the Jefferson Senior Center. The building is occupied almost every day.
Russell Danforth told about how the building once stood on Peraglie Road and was moved to its current location across from the Jefferson Central School. It served as the Grange for many years and has been home to the seniors since 1972.
George Danforth was a 50-year member of the Grange and well-known local farmer. Russell is his son and a member of the Jefferson Town Board and the Jefferson Senior Club. He's been boasting about the Jefferson club and how active it is. "There's always something going on," he said.
The group was quietly settling in to sit down for lunch when I arrived last Wednesday. They explained several members were on an eight-day trip to Savannah, Georgia to visit points of interest, so their numbers were fewer. They explained those on the trip had just missed all the bad weather.
The mid-day meal is delivered by the Schoharie County Office for the Aging each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Club members call and sign up for lunch the day before. There were seven of the 24 members present on Wednesday. Those over 60 are asked to make a $5 donation for the meal. Those who are younger are asked to pay $7.50 for the meal which is available to anyone at any age as long as they let someone know the day before. They post senior meals menu monthly.
The group formed in 1972 as a location for a senior meals site. At one time there were 50 to 60 members. Now there are 24 members.
So, the club takes day trips and extended trips to various points of interest. The Albany Flower Show is a day trip that is coming up before the end of the month and there were three seats left on the bus. Last fall they went to Niagara Falls for eight days. They often go to see shows at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady. The advantage of the trips as a club is they don't have to drive, they can converse along the way and have friendly companions to share in the experience.
The trips may be as close as the tree exhibit at the New York Power Authority Visitors Center, or to see step dancing in Oneonta or as far away as Georgia or Washington DC.
Faye Harris is an active member of the group and rattled off a number of places they have visited or activities they have traveled to enjoy. Several are looking forward to the upcoming flower show which features vendors of everything for the garden and the outdoors. They particularly enjoy seeing the garden arrangements.
Some had signed up for the Defensive Driving Class last Saturday. They proudly posed for a photo to be posted to their Facebook page. Like Russell said, there is always something going on.
They can visit and enjoy lunch or participate in other activities from 10-2 each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Many shop upstairs in the thrift shop, which has been a successful endeavor in the community center.
Every Thursday they play Mexican Train, a form of dominoes. There is a drawing class, Mah Jongg lessons on Wednesday afternoons, chair exercise on Tuesday and this week they were stenciling a quilt with cloth napkins. They have done several forms of drawing and painting. They also have a small lending library. They have been borrowing a Mah Jongg board.
Fridays sometimes feature game nights and they make homemade pizza due to the loan of a pizza oven. You might find them making decorations for a special holiday or decorating their tree. It may look like a Christmas tree, but it serves all holidays, all year long with special decorations to mark the season. This week St. Patrick's Day decor would be switched out for Easter decor.
They also invite people in to speak on various topics of interest. In May there will a special talk by someone from the Alzheimer's Association.
Pat Fowler also stops in from time to time to play her guitar and they sing and there is a once per month Bible study.
They have parties, celebrating different occasions. You should have seen their outfits for St. Patricks day.
"We also talk about a lot of things that no one knows what we are talking about," said Danforth, jokingly. They go over history that may not be as conventional as your normal history lesson. They have lived some of it and generally enjoy the few hours each week that provides them some social stimulation, keeps them abreast of what's going on around town and gets them out of the house and doing something. For the most part they enjoy talking "about the good old days" in the company of those who do know what they are talking about.
Paul Langer, known as a mechanic and school bus driver. Vehicles have been a big part of his life. He told about an incident when he was younger. He lost his dad at an early age and remembers driving well before the legal age limit, more out of necessity, in order to help his mother. He told how he and his brothers would roll the truck down the hill to get it started. That is something you couldn't do with today's pickup truck.
They come from various backgrounds. Some are widowed, some are married, and all are still quite active. They might compare notes on their children and grandchildren or provide each other advice about various things. "We are a fun group," said Harris. "We're family."
They are an upbeat group who enjoy getting together three days per week for shared activities, a meal or simply to mingle. Don't believe me, stop in and see. Oh yes, they also have a Jug Band, they play at 1 p.m on Tuesdays. If you would like to visit the club or join, you may contact the Jefferson Senior Club at 607-652-9075 and leave a message. Dues are $10 per year. They also rent the space to other groups.
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