Middle Township’s Senior Advisory Board Honors Jost

COURT HOUSE – Middle Township’s Senior Advisory Board is making strides in offering strong community ties with seniors, and honoring local senior residents who are actively involved in the community with the Rudy Callender Award, according to a release.
The award signifies a recipient’s great amount of community ties and service throughout the years.
It is named in memory of the late Rudy Callender, a friendly face in the community. It celebrates his legacy as an advocate for seniors of Middle Township.
On Oct. 12, along with state and local officials, the Senior Advisory Board honored Ron Jost with the 2018 Rudy Callender Award.
That award noted Jost’s community involvement and service over the years. Jost was instrumental in the development of the disability office in Middle Township; going above and beyond to help the community just as Callendar did.
Jost also serves as the Americans with Disabilities Act liaison on the Senior Advisory Board.
“Ron has always been an exceptional member of our community, and it was a pleasure to present him with the 2018 Rudy Callender Award,” stated Mayor Michael Clark. “Thanks to Senior Advisory Board members like Ron, the Senior Center of Middle Township is able to ensure quality comfort to our seniors,” Clark continued.
“Our main concern is keeping the seniors active. Many members and visitors of the center live alone but when they’re here, they can’t possibly be lonely. Our goal is to ensure that we are visible and have something for everyone whether it be Tai Chi, shuffle board or quilting. We try to accommodate everyone,” stated Minnie Callender, widow of  Rudy Callender, who serves as chair of the Senior Advisory Board.
“It’s wonderful to see Rudy honored for the way he touched the community. He loved this Senior Center, and it’s an honor to continue his legacy,” Callender stated.
Marilyn Miller serves as the director of the Senior Center and ensures the Senior Center’s calendar is full of recreational, social and educational activities that promote healthy and active lifestyles for the seniors.
Through various workshops, wellness seminars, exercise, computer classes and many other activities, senior residents are afforded opportunities for continued learning, fitness, socialization, volunteerism and fun.
Special events at the Senior Center include quarterly luncheons, day bus trips and the annual Health and Wellness fair. Information regarding helpful Senior resources can also be found at the center.
The Senior Advisory Board of Middle Township was created in 2003 by former Mayor Susan DeLanzo, now vice-chair of the Middle Township Senior Center.
With contributions from the business community, the Senior Center came to life. Rudy Callender was the first chairperson of the Senior Advisory Board.
The Senior Advisory Board is comprised of professionals, retired educators, former business owners, and government officials, as well as community activists.
The late Catherine Francis Murphy was the center’s first director. Murphy was a “people person” who motivated individuals and used her educational knowledge and organizational skills, that were formed over many years of educational experience, to pave the way for the future of the center.
“It’s very important that seniors feel a sense of belonging and that they’re able to socialize,” DeLanzo stated. “My joy is when people are enjoying themselves and meeting with other people. The main thing we focus on here is the seniors and seeing them happy and healthy together. They have a ball, it’s truly like family here,” DeLanzo continued.
The Middle Township Senior Center is located at 23 Romney Place, Court House. Call 609-465-8865 for information.