By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Senior centers serve noon meals to their clients, but they also provide social interaction and many special services that support good health.

At Hillsboro, musicians have a jam session every second Thursday, and every third Thursday is a sing-along. Seniors play dominoes every Monday after lunch and Bingo every Wednesday after lunch.

Show ’n’ tell is once a month, when someone from within the group or from outside can give a presentation.

Two times a month, the site manager or cook provides nutrition information. The information is sent along with meals on wheels deliverers.

Sometimes, the seniors themselves organize activities. Men often get together to play pool.

Services include a visit from Marion County Home Health twice a month to provide foot care. Hillsboro Community Hospital comes once a month to do blood pressure checks.

Audiologist Haris Zafar comes from Wichita at 11 a.m. every third Wednesday of the month to check hearing aids.

Occasionally, the senior center grants requests for presentations. Fundraisers are conducted several times a year “to keep the place going,” said manager Brenda Moss.

Marion Senior Center manager Janet Bryant arranges programs every Wednesday after lunch, including special celebrations such as National Day of the Cowboy, Mickey Mouse, Elvis, National Fork Day, and Poem in Your Pocket, which help people get involved, she said.

Some seniors hang around after lunch to play cards or work on puzzles.

Home Health comes the second Wednesday and fourth Thursday to provide foot care. Appointments are required.

A representative from the Veterans Administration comes every other month to assist county veterans.

Peabody Senior Center is awaiting new carpet for their meeting room after the old carpet was damaged by floodwater in July. The dining area is OK, but both rooms will get new carpet.

The center has a Birthday Day the second Wednesday of the month for those who have birthdays that month. The group celebrates with piano entertainment and chair massages.

A Grief Share support group meets at the center from 3 to 4:30 p.m. every second Tuesday. Pastor Rick Schrag of Moundridge comes to spend time with people and help them through difficult times.

Group exercises are scheduled twice a month at 10 a.m. Peabody Health and Rehabilitation comes in to do blood pressure checks.

Bingo is played once a month, and a group of four plays cards every Tuesday.

A representative of Angels of Hutchinson comes every second Thursday to do blood pressure checks.

Senior center manager Lou Ann Bowlin arranges occasional unique meals, such as a picnic meal on checkered tablecloths or holiday brunches.

The center provides chairs with arms for people who need them.

Smaller senior centers in the county have their own activities.

Tampa seniors meet the second Tuesday of the month for a noon meal at the local café, followed by a business meeting. They don’t meet during summer months but occasionally plan trips to local, county, and state sites.

Lincolnville seniors meet at Lincolnville Community Center every Wednesday to play dominoes. Their monthly business meetings are on the second Wednesday, with a noon potluck.

Durham seniors lost their meeting place when the community center was inundated in the July 4 flood. President Lila Unruh said meetings would resume once the center is repaired.

The center usually has a noon carry-in meal on the fourth Wednesday and special events throughout the year, such as a July hamburger fry, August watermelon feed, and Thanksgiving meal.