 Submitted by Meg Dickens
At the Johnson County Senior Center, staff members are constantly looking for something new and unique to feature. Each month is filled with regular activities, while other month-specific activities are sprinkled throughout the calendar. The month is halfway over, but many month-centric activities are right around the corner. Nutrition-based activity June 17 is all about keeping a proper diet. It is also National Eat Your Vegetables Day. To celebrate this holiday, the center will be hosting a cooking class courtesy of East Tennessee State University (ETSU). This will focus on creating healthy snacks and sharing recipes so members can reconnect.
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 Submitted by Meg Dickens
Members of the Johnson County Senior Center enjoyed a special treat on Monday, May 16. Prayoon Royston of Monsoon Thai & Exotic Foods dropped by to share her cooking knowledge and parables of her experience since emigrating to America. Approximately 75 seniors joined in on this activity. Each participant learned how to create egg rolls according to recipes passed down through generations in Royston’s family. They also received egg rolls and chicken fried rice as refreshments as the mother of three shared her story. Royston’s egg rolls are in high demand, and she reports multiple restaurants have reached out hoping to serve them in their facilities as well.  Submitted by Meg Dickens
This past weekend, the Johnson County Senior Center members danced the night away at the center prom. More than 100 people came out to enjoy the “Time of My Life” event despite weather issues causing a last-minute venue change from the Ridges at Deer Run to the senior center. The venue change held special significance to some attendees. As many know, the senior center was initially the Johnson County High School gym before moving to the hill. Several attendees reported attending their high school prom in the same building. Several guests reminisced over their previous experiences.  Submitted by Meg Dickens
Staff, volunteers, and members of the Johnson County Senior Center do their best to make a positive impact on the community. Two of the best-known groups for public improvement are the Quilting Bees and Chicks with Sticks. Both groups use donated materials to help the community. Chicks with Sticks members’ most well-known projects are the hundreds of hats for elementary students and cancer patients, lap blankets for hospice patients, blankets for the Pregnancy Support Center. Their next project will be to create car seat blankets for the Pregnancy Support Center to fit with new regulations.  Volunteers share stories of their experiences at the senior center during the April 20 Volunteer Appreciation Day. Pictured speaker: Terry Hodge, employee turned volunteer. Submitted by Meg Dickens
April 17 through April 23 was National Volunteer Week. At the Johnson County Senior Center, volunteers are a vital part of what makes the facility function smoothly. In their honor, the center hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 20. Approximately 70 volunteers showed up to enjoy this event. The center paid for this with reserve funds from the RSVP program. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provided funding to help provide incentives to volunteers, but this program no longer exists. The center used the last of the funds left from its involvement to honor these volunteers.  Submitted by Meg Dickens
The Johnson County Senior Center is always a flurry of movement. Trips, events, and daily activities ensure that there is always something available for everyone. The next few months show promise to be full of special memories. Annual Events Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many events were canceled over the last few years. Now, things are returning to business as usual, and these events are back on. The Easter party will be on Thursday, April 14. This event is sponsored by the Jason Campbell mayoral campaign and includes free meals, bingo, and live music by the Kody Norris Show.  Johnson County Senior Center members enjoy a lively Saint Patrick’s Day event on Thursday, March 17. More than 160 members listen to live music, share a meal, learn Saint Patrick’ Day trivia and play Bingo. Submitted by Meg Dickens
Elections are drawing near. With this in mind, the Johnson County Senior Center has become somewhat of a hub for local politicians. Candidates have been sponsoring one of the most popular center activities as a gateway to interact with the older generation of voters: bingo. “People here take their bingo seriously,” Director Kathy Motsinger explains whenever the subject arises.  Members pose with items they created to help the community. These include hats for disadvantaged children and lap blankets for homebound seniors. Submitted by Meg Dickens
When the average person thinks about a senior center, the first thoughts that come to mind probably revolve around trips and activities. The Johnson County Senior Center is excited to offer a variety of classes and programs for seniors but provides more than just that. Those outside the center often also benefit from what happens behind the facility’s doors. One of the most obvious examples revolves around community outreach projects. The Quilting Bees and Chicks with Sticks groups have been creating objects to help people in the community. These include blankets to help keep the homeless population warm and hats and scarves for young children within the Johnson County School System. These items are free of charge and usually made from materials donated by the community.  Dr. John Payne and Robert Hensley present Larry Potter with the Veteran of the Month Award. Submitted by Meg Dickens
The Johnson County Senior Center had its monthly Veterans’ Cafe on February 23. Those in the service sacrifice a lot to protect the liberties of all citizens. As Veteran and National Executive Committee Member of the American Legion Robert Hensley explained, they are still serving the country today, long after their discharge. Hensley shared updates on legislation and current events revolving around veterans. Veterans received salad, pizza, drinks, and assorted desserts, made possible by the donor and other volunteers, including the FCE Laurel Ladies, who helped serve and provide parts of the meal. This month’s updates included details of a recent coffee meeting with Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, who is continuing her Vietnam Veteran Pinning ceremonies and plans to progress to honoring other war veterans, such as Iraq War veterans, when these ceremonies are complete.  Johnson County Bank made a $1,000 donation to help the Senior Center host it’s “Senior Adult Prom” this coming May which will be held at Ridges at Deer Run with the JCHS Culinary Arts Center catering the event. Keep an eye out for more information. Submitted photos Submitted by Meg Dickens
The Johnson County Senior Center prides itself in trying to offer a variety of activities, events, and trips for local seniors. Through this, the center can provide something for everyone. As 2022 kicks into full swing, the center is ready to do what it can to provide for the local senior population. Upcoming Events The center will be hosting a Valentine’s Day event sponsored by Modern Woodmen. A free hot meal will be offered with other goodies, poetry performed by Evelyn Cook, and live music by local artist Just Chuck. It is also bingo day. Grab a friend, loved one, or just yourself and celebrate with your senior center family. |
