Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Re-Opens Senior Center

PALERMO – The newly-renovated Senior Center in Upper Township drew a large crowd for the grand re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 10.
Freeholder Kristine Gabor gave the welcoming address and introduced speakers – Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton, Upper Township Mayor Richard Palombo; and Donna Groome, executive director, Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Gabor spoke of “our vision” for the center, the “primary purpose of which is to support our seniors.” Additionally, she remarked about “engaging other people in the community in order that they may have some services available to them at the north end of the county.”
Gabor said that there is a separate office where “other departments throughout the county will make appointments,” so they can come and visit with people seeking their services. This will be a convenience for residents in the northern end, so they won’t have to travel too far.
Gabor remarked “we have a shared-services agreement with Upper Township, who will oversee the building and will be utilizing it for the residents of the township.”
Gabor gave a special thank you to Ann Marie McMahon, director, Facilities and Services for Cape May County, who oversaw the entire project. Gabor acknowledged McMahon’s “hard work and dedication to the county and all the seniors here.”
Thornton, introduced by Gabor as the “original director of health and human services, and a true advocate of seniors in Cape May County,” said he was “very proud of everything that’s been done and very happy that we can do this for all of you in Upper Township.”
In addition to Gabor, Thornton recognized the staff at Facilities and Services; McMahon; Upper Township officials; and John Mathis, director of Food Services, Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, which provides all of meals at the center.
Palombo commented on the “amount of time and effort that the county staff has put in in order to get this facility back together.”
He then introduced Committeemen John Coggins and Hobie Young. Palombo spoke about providing services for seniors and all residents, including “immunizations and vaccinations,” that would be offered here in the northern end of the county.
Groome noted the various activities available at the center, some of which include entertainment with Elsie Shearer playing piano, TV room, pool table, shuffleboard, cards, bingo, mah jongg, and exercise programs. She also commented on some of the major services, which the department offers including providing services for caregivers and housekeeping services.
“We also have a very large information and assistance program,” Groome added. The Department of Aging and Disability Services can be reached at 886-2784.
Some of the residents present for included Shirley Baker, Betty Brady, Marilyn Moore and Mary Walsh, all of Ocean City. They enjoyed visiting the center to “socialize and talk to friends.” They commented on the colors of the walls, which they described as “very inviting,” and also liked the comfortable chairs and large, round tables.
Also at the re-opening were Joe McCarthy and Robert Johns, both of Upper Township, who like to come to the center to play pool.
Enjoying the afternoon lunch following the ribbon cutting ceremony was Harry V. Shourds II of Upper Township, a third generation decoy carver. In 1989, he was presented with the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Shourds’ decoys have been exhibited in the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, both in Maryland.
The Upper Township Senior Center was built in 1970 with the renovation beginning in 2012. Improvements to the center include a larger kitchen featuring new cabinets and appliances, new movie and entertainment area, along with new flooring and furniture, an additional office and an energy-efficient HVAC. A new roof, siding and windows were added to the exterior of the building.
The Upper Township Senior Center is located at 1369 Stagecoach Road, Palermo. The center is open Mon. to Fri. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on county holidays. Meals are served every day. The center requires a 24-hour meal reservation. For information, call 390-9409.