Walter Hester,

91, left a game of dominos to drop by the craft area for help in getting

his "Hawaii" hat fixed. He made the hat in one of the craft

periods and plans to wear it someday while taking hula lessons when he

visits his favorite state, Hawaii.

Teresa Lizarazo

proudly displays the shelf she hand-painted at the urging of others in

the craft room. They prod her until she goes and pulls out one of the

tiny sweaters she is knitting to donate to the hospital for newborn babies.

Mary Rose Williams decided to put a picket fence around the bottom of

her shelf, and will add a butterfly on the top to complete the spring

look.

Emma Embry

and neighbor Lorene Peppers have been coming to the Friendship Center

for over a year. The pair each made a summer bonnet during "Hat Week."

They usually come on Tuesdays and Fridays, but added an extra day so they

could work on their hats and attend the quarterly meeting. Emma notes

that she very much enjoys playing King in the Corner on Fridays.

Gloria Natale

has been a regular at the Center for over four years. She says she loves

the arts and crafts, playing Scrabble and the Bible Study. She said, "I

have made lots of friends here. Everyone is friendly and helpful."

She is working on a hat to give her granddaughter. "She'll get a

kick out of it," she says with a smile.

Margaret Michalski

moved from Chicago to be closer to her son. She says, "I met all

these nice ladies. I look forward to coming every Tuesday and Thursday."

Anne Rosada

may be the veteran of the group - she has been coming to the Center since

1993. She enjoys the activities of the J.O.Y. Club on occasion also. The

"Just Older Youth" Club meets at a local church and is part

of the services offered under the umbrella of Fayette Senior Services.

Members travel, go to theatrical productions, dine at various restaurants

and enjoy other activities.

In the main

dining and activity room, two tables of seniors challenge each other to

games of dominos - a regular much-loved activity. They were quick to explain

the rules when I mentioned I had never played. Talk shifted to some of

their favorite activities with the card game Uno high on their list.

John Boyden

who says he is a "2 year man, almost a veteran," spends time

on-line at one of the center's computers. He and his family are planning

a return to their native home of England and he is utilizing the computer

to check ferry schedules for his daughter.

Over 20 local

seniors spend a portion of each weekday at the Friendship Center at Fayette

Senior Services. Many have been coming for over five years, some for as

many as nine or ten. When asked why they come to the center, most for

at least two days a week, the reasons are varied.

One constant

theme for most is friendship and fellowship. They have all made friends

and enjoy the time they share in various activities. Some mention the

crafts - the craft room is a testament to the variety of crafts the seniors

have made over the years. There are quilts, knitting projects, woodwork,

flower arrangements and other beautifully detailed works of art around

the center that have been crafted by attendees.

The daily routine

usually includes breakfast at 9 a.m. followed by some free time to visit.

Exercise is at 11 a.m., lunch at 11:55 a.m. and Bingo begins at 12:15.

Next on the daily agenda might be crafts, walking, cards or some other

activity. Most leave for home around 1 p.m.

Not everyone

chooses to participate in the various daily activities. Some enjoy time

on the computers or like to relax in the sitting room to read a good book

or the daily newspaper. Occasionally couples will grab a table and play

each other in a game of cards. Bunko is a regular on the monthlyschedule,

as is a weekly Bible Study.

Some drive

themselves to the center, some take advantage of transportation provided

Throughout

the month there are special activities to add some variety to the schedule.

On St. Patrick's Day, John Boyden got on the phone to Irish Tourism and

decorated the Center with posters and other items they provided. Using

a poster and an ingenious grid system, participants had fun searching

for an elusive leprechaun.

During the

month a group may travel to Wal-Mart to shop, or visit the library. Working

with other agencies and medical groups, the Center also presents educational

classes on topics like nutrition or safety. The first Wednesday of each

month is the day birthdays are celebrated.

The Friendship

Center is located at Fayette Senior Services on 390 Lee Street. The building

sits next to the site the new courthouse and jail are being built. Fund

raising efforts are underway to build a new Senior Center on property

donated by Fayette County. The new center will allow for expanded services

and activities.

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