Seniors Enjoy Center and Activities

Lesley Tebbs, director of the Meck Senior Center in Muncy gives away a basket to Janice Myers from Montoursville that is raffled off every week to members.
It’ s fun to be a senior and there is no other place to be according to those who like to visit the Meck Senior Community Center in Muncy Township. Everyday the center is open anyone who is over sixty can enjoy a well balanced meal for a very small donation, participate in a craft activity, play bingo, and most of all socialize with others. “We have a good time here,” said Jackie Eck of Montoursville.
For just a week ago, their director, Lesley Tebbs, returned from a temporary two month lay-off. Attendance was down said the members. Not only were the hours reduced but programs and morale of the comradeship was also down.
Mick McMahon from Muncy and a volunteer and member of the center said that Lesley is a big factor here. She knows her job and does it well. She was really missed here and we welcome her back. People stopped coming. Three months is a long time to go without a budget.”
Lesley Tebbs who is senior center manager and an employee of the Bi-County Office of Aging said, “We really try to sustain ourselves here. We have parties and trips and we have developed a nice social network here.”
Peggy Biles from Watsontown likes to drive to the center three days a week so she can play bingo and meet friends. There is an average of twenty to twenty five people who come to the center on a regular basis according to Tebbs.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Members can come and go during that time but many like to come for meal time. Donations are collected for meals and advanced reservations are required. A monthly calendar of meals and activities are always available by calling 546-2542.
Every Wednesday there is a community presentation and a basket raffle. Other weekly activities include blood pressure screenings, crafts, puzzles and games, bingo, snacks, and bus trips. Recently the group took a tour to Penn’s Landing and visited Shady Acres in Lancaster. Members are currently organizing a big Halloween Party for the end of the month and making plans for their costumes.
“The baked goods are one of my favorites and so is bingo,” said Dorothy Minier from Hughesville. “Parking is easy and close to the mall too, ” she added.
If a member can’t drive, transportation is always available for only eighty cents each way. A van operated by STEP will come and pick up anyone who needs a ride said McMahon. Any senior can come. There is no income requirement, just a mimiumum age of 60 and a registration which includes name, address, phone number and last four digits of your phone number. “You can register by contacting the Social Services or stopping in at the center located behind the River Valley YMCA where registered members can use the facility at no cost during open center hours.