Sheckler entertains crowd at Charles City Senior Center Christmas party

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A nice-sized crowd enjoyed Christmas treats, conversation and a spirited selection of Christmas tunes from a noted local pianist at the Charles City Senior Center Christmas Party held Sunday afternoon at the center.

About 50 Senior Center members attended the gathering. Harrison Sheckler, who is currently pursuing his doctorate in piano performance from the University of Arizona and who is well known in the Charles City area, provided the entertainment.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in Charles City and I haven’t been able to play at the Senior Center,” Shecker told the group. “I was thinking about it. I have been playing at the senior center every year for the past 20 years — I was 6 years old.”

He said he had just finished his first semester toward his doctorate in Arizona, and joked about the difference in temperature.

“I kind of got acclimated to the weather. For the past month it’s been averaging about 70 degrees, so when I landed in Minneapolis last night I was like, wow, it is cold in the Midwest,” he said.

“It’s so great to be back home with you guys who have been there all these years supporting my music career and my endeavors, so I appreciate this fantastic crowd today and we’re just going to have fun with a lot of fun Christmas music. And I hope it puts you into the spirit,” Sheckler said. “And because this is the place I love to play, the next song I’m going to play is ‘Home for the Holidays,’”

Memberships to the Senior Center are $10 annually and offer benefits including pool, cards, the annual Christmas party and reduced price rental of the center. The Senior Center is also the congregate meal site through the Elderbridge Agency on Aging, with meals again available Monday through Friday at noon, often preceded by a program beginning about 11:15 a.m.

People are encouraged to call the Senior Center at 641-228-3114 by Friday to make reservations for the next week’s meals. You do not need to be a Senior Center member to attend the programs and meals.