It’s Great to be a Senior in Salado

Apr 23, 2023

JENNIFER WILSON | OUR TOWN TEMPLE

“The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” Lucille Ball is attributed to this quote, and I’m sure she could be forgiven for advocating the telling of untruths. After all, careers in Hollywood are dependent upon being young. Thankfully, we are not in Hollywood, and those prone to lying about their age may just reconsider when they find out what has been transpiring in Salado.

Larry Nathanson needed a project, and he knew just the one to undertake—a senior center. Considering the fact that Temple and Belton had one, it wasn’t fair that Salado was being left out. After reaching out to a few people, he soon found himself president of the Salado Senior Center Board. Kim Bird, Melanie Kirchmeier, Beth Correa, and Jeanie Lively make up the rest of the members, while David Swarthout and Maureen Nathanson complete the Advisory Counsel.

“We’re off to a really, really strong start…and it’s growing. It’s going to be fantastic,” said Swarthout. He is not exaggerating. They’ve already partnered with the Village of Salado, the Salado Public Library, and the Salado United Methodist Church. In addition, they have secured 15 sponsors at various levels. But that doesn’t mean this group is resting on their laurels. The Center will be staffed by volunteers and admission is free, so they will always need sponsors and donors.

Located at the Youth Activities Center at Salado United Methodist Church (650 Royal Street), the Center will hold its grand opening on June 8. And what a day that will be. Open to everyone, a health fair has been organized with 25 vendors, and the Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting. Plenty of local elected officials are also getting in on the action. Constable Rolly Correa will act as emcee, and expect the following in attendance: Mayor Michael Coggin, Rep. Brad Buckley, Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman, and County Commissioner Bobby Whitson. Congressman Carter’s office will also be represented.

If June is a little too long of a wait to celebrate the fun, how about April 27? On that day, the good folks at Barrow Brewery will be hosting Barrow Boogie, and all of the proceeds will benefit the Center. Tickets are $25 per person/$40 per couple. Children are admitted and can dance for free, but parents will have to buy their meals. Tickets can be purchased at www.centraltexastickets.com.

For those golfers in the area, the fourth annual Pioneer Classic Hickory Golf Tournament will donate its proceeds to the Center. Scheduled in November, information about this fundraiser will soon be available on the Center’s website.

The Center will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 – 3:00 and welcomes those who are 55 and up (although volunteers can be any age). The activities scheduled are wide and varied. A few of the offerings include bingo, pickleball, disc golf, dances, coffee chats, guest speakers, and genealogy classes. Jeanie Lively, Senior Center Board Member and Director of the Salado Public Library, is offering many of the library’s services to the Center, including technology classes and a book club. The first book has already been chosen: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

When I asked Mr. Nathanson how he thought the community was responding to his project he did not hesitate, “I think there is one word we can use…great!” You certainly can’t get a more enthusiastic response than that. And his enthusiasm was definitely palpable, so much so that it made me want to lie about my age so I could participate. There are still several months until June. I wonder how long it takes to get a fake ID?

For more information, to donate, or to sign up to volunteer please visit their website at www.saladoseniorcenter.org. They can also be reached by email: info@saladoseniorcenter.org, telephone: (254)-271-2415, and Facebook.