Senior Center hosts annual Fall Fling

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Senior Center in Charles City hosted its annual Fall Fling on Sunday.

For just $8, participants enjoyed a dinner of maid-rites, beans and cheesy potatoes — and a choice from a wide arrangement of pies. The Fall Fling also included a silent auction of “donated treasures.”

The day serves as a membership drive for the Senior Center. New members can join for $10. Membership entitles individuals to card games and shooting pool, weekly programs, free coffee and rolls on a cold winter Saturday, an open invitation to the Dec, 14 Christmas party and $10 off renting the facility — which typically costs $75 for five hours. The center is used for bridal and baby showers and wedding and funeral receptions, among other events.

On a typical Wednesday, a program might include a presentation or performance by a student group from the district, or someone from school administration. Sometimes public officials from the city or county will come to talk and answer questions, and sometimes a musical group will perform.

The center hosts public Bingo on Tuesday nights and also provides a number of resources and activities for senior citizens, including blood pressure clinics, fitness classes and income tax counseling.

Paid for by donations, the building is debt free, with no monthly mortgage. Monthly bills include utilities, maintenance, upkeep and insurance.

In the mid-1970s, Charles City Mayor Leo Schula and some other local leaders helped form Charles City’s Senior Citizens Club, and initial meetings were held at the Carnagie Library in town. At that time, there was national and statewide sentiment to provide seniors with nutritious congregate meals, and several programs were launched.

Senior citizens in Charles City met and dined at various locales, and the outings became popular, so participants began looking for a permanent location, where the meals could be made and served and where other events could be held.

Enough money was raised, the property was donated by the city, and construction began on the building in July of 1984. The center opened in June of 1985.