The STEP Office of Aging's senior center has moved to the site of the former Hillside Restaurant, 2725 Four Mile Drive, which will allow it to offer more activities to those it serves.
The center had been in the basement of the Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church in Loyalsock Township. Paula Edler, administrative assistant, said the new site will give the center's programs and operations more space.
Fred Shrimp, director of the Office of Aging, said the center was in the church for more than 30 years. Edler said the church stewards were "great landlords," but expansion was needed.
Article Photos
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
From left, Joan Miller, of Montoursville, and Peggy Phlegar, of South Williamsport, learn how to knit from Phoebe Bato, of Williamsport, on Wednesday at the new STEP Montoursville/Loyalsock Township Senior Center on Four Mile Drive. One of the benefits of the new location is the large windows, which these women are enjoying as they work. The skills they learn knitting will be used for “Crocheting for a Cause” in which they crochet scarves and other items for community projects.
"We outgrew the building we were in," she said.
With a new location comes a new name for the center as well. Shrimp said the center will go by the name of Loyalsock/Montoursville Center as it is close enough to serve seniors in Montoursville, too.
"Hopefully it attracts more seniors from the Montoursville area," Edler said.
Over the summer and leading up to the move, the center partnered with the Montoursville Borough Council and mayor to hold picnics and other activities for Montoursville residents to make them feel welcome and comfortable with the center.
The center provides area residents, 60 years and older, with the opportunity for good nutrition, socialization and exercise programs. Shrimp said the center offers participants activity-oriented services such as a exercise classes.
A tai chi class is provided by the Arthritis Foundation, Shrimp said. Bingo, card games and Nintendo Wii bowling tournaments are some other programs the center offers.
With the expansion of the center, Shrimp said STEP is looking into obtaining a indoor bocce ball set.
The center also fills a need for the community as a location for Meals on Wheels. Edler said the center hands out 70 to 80 meals with the program on a daily basis.
She also said the new location will allow the center to offer the same service but with more space. "It allows expansion for the programming that's there," she said.
