Social seniors
In McGregor, fun not just reserved for young
McGREGOR - Senior citizens in McGregor finally have a place to go.
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Three days a week they can get out of the house, participate in activities or games, take a class or socialize with others their own age or be with children where they can reclaim their youth.
The place? The Intergenerational Resource Center in Room E29 at McGregor Elementary School.
The resource center opened in November and is a joint partnership between the McGregor School District Community Education and Area Neighbors Giving Elders Live-in Services, short for ANGELS, which is a nonprofit organization that helps senior citizens stay in their homes longer.
Pauline Ley (right) had a big smile on her face after beating Ann Carlson in a game of cribbage at the Intergenerational Resource Center at McGregor Elementary School. The center opened a few months ago to give senior citizens a place to go to socialize with others.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
Lowell Bartel, president of the ANGELS board, said the group helps more than 150 seniors with such tasks as plowing snow and providing transportation. Bartel said the resource center is a wonderful partnership because of the impact it has on senior citizens.
Judy Perron, ANGELS volunteer coordinator, said, "Seniors get depressed and feel like 'poor me.' They need to get out in the world, in the community, and forget about 'poor me.' Active seniors are healthier and feel more worthwhile. This center will help seniors be more social."
Lisa Kruse, McGregor Community Education director, said there are a lot of retired people in McGregor who have no place to go. She said the school district had an extra classroom and officials thought they could turn it into a resource center where seniors and students could gather. Kruse said the goal was to have the seniors connect with students for the betterment of both generations.
"Seniors love kids," said Kruse. "Both students and seniors get so much enjoyment interacting with each other. This is a great thing for the community."
Sandy Liepins (left) and Judy Perron sorted through a puzzle recently at the Intergenerational Resource Center at McGregor Elementary School.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
The resource center is open to people of all ages, but senior citizens use the center mostly during the day. Kruse said the center is open to nonprofits and other organizations in the community to use for meetings, projects or just to have a place to gather.
The center is full of games, puzzles, cards, computers and a TV. There also is a refrigerator and a sewing machine. Seniors who attend the center may use the school's cafeteria to eat lunch with the children and they can make use of the school's fitness center.
The center also has lifelong learning opportunities to help draw in more people. Kruse said a free tax service class will be offered in February and other workshops will include health screening, crafts and quilting.
One senior who has been going to the center to get out of the house agreed to teach a class. Pauline Ley, 83, McGregor, is a former teacher and she said she'll teach seniors how to keep a journal.
Where: The Intergenerational Resource Center in Room E29 at McGregor Elementary School.
When: From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Cost: Free.
For more information: Contact Lisa Kruse, McGregor Community Education director, at (218) 768-2111, ext. 233.
Pauline enjoys playing cribbage at the center and others say she is a master player.
"Yeah, I like to play," she said with a laugh. "It's fun here. You'll end up knowing everyone here before you leave."
Sandy Liepins, 66, moved to McGregor from the Twin Cities area four years ago for a quieter life. She said she soon realized that the elderly were isolated and needed to get out more. Liepins stays busy and is involved with ANGELS so she hasn't visited the center often.
"However, I see what this has done to others," said Liepins. "Seniors get a chance to share stories and do a puzzle. They look forward to this and they're in better spirits."
Ann Carlson, 53, McGregor, was recently at the center for an ANGELS meeting.
Lisa Kruse (left), McGregor Community Education director, and Lowell Bartel, president of Area Neighbors Giving Elders Live-in Services, worked together to create the Intergenerational Resource Center at McGregor Elementary School.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger
"This is great for seniors for the socialization aspect of it," she said. "People need a place to go. If my mother was not so busy I'd be trying to get her here. I have to try to get my dad to come here."
Bartel said ANGELS has been hosting meetings at the center because it has such a home-like feel.
Kruse said winter has been a little slow because seniors don't like to be outside as much when the weather is cold, but she's hoping more seniors will come and take advantage of the center's activities. On average there have been about four to eight people a day who have visited the center.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.