‘New’ Newport Senior Center has many special features

By BRENDA BURNS
Executive Director
Sullivan County Nutrition Services
NEWPORT — Last week was very busy at the Newport Senior Center.

At the beginning of the week, grey and black carpet was installed on the main floor. The bump in the floor as you walk through the doors to the reception area is now gone. After the carpet was installed, 11 new pieces of furniture arrived. The furniture fabrics were voted on earlier in the month by participants and resulted in a perfect match with the new rug.

All of these changes happened just in time for the open house on Friday. We believe the open house was a great success. Opening remarks began around 3 p.m., by Larry Eaton, Board President. A special guest speaker included New Hampshire Executive Councilor Joe Kenney.

During this renovation process, we sadly lost our board treasurer, Marie Flint. Marie left us with goals to work towards even after she was gone, memories never forgotten and showed us what courage really meant.

Like Marie, we have lost members who have left some mark or special memory behind for us to remember them by. Revealed during this special event was the new memorial center created to remember past members who are no longer with us, but have left us with lessons to reflect upon and grow on.

This area has a shelf with a wooden plaque, hand crafted by Kathryn Callum of Northern Light Etching in Unity. The plaque sits on a newly installed shelf with battery operated candles and a white rose. When members see this, they can reminisce of yesteryear.

After the ribbon cutting, guest’s curiosity was put to rest. As guests entered the new stairway to the first floor, a white wooden sign was at eye level and read; “Anything is possible if you believe.” This sign was most fitting of our entire project because we had people tell us that it could not be done. Your board did believe and it is committed to ensuring that all individuals who age are able to age healthy and independently.

As members entered the first floor, you could see their eyes light up just like a child at Christmas time. The comments were overwhelming and plentiful. For some, the work that had been completed was recognized.

For those who had never been downstairs, they were able to view before pictures lined up along the wall in order to really recognize the transformation. The only picture missing was pictures of years gone by of when water would pool up and have to be pushed to the drain hole.

The walking path was a great hit that individuals have been talking about for the past several weeks. After the snow fall last week, they were really delighted to think that they will soon have a dry, warm place to walk. The walking path sponsor wall will be coming soon. We are working on a specialized display that has taken longer than expected.

There are a few tiles left for sponsorship. Keep an eye out for this wall in the future because it is not going to be your typical brass and wooden plaque if designs go according to desired plans.

Guests were then invited for refreshments and beverages. SCNS kitchen staff prepared hundreds of specialized cups for everyone’s enjoyment. We would like to thank the staff for assisting in this momentous occasion and making it so special by giving their special touch to each cup.

The “golden” elevator got its first major workout transporting guests from the top floor to the fountain of youth below. As guests walked around the new 4,000 square feet of space, they saw inspirational messages displayed on various walls that will give them hope on days that may be tougher than others.

Thank you to the many community members who made this possible, Newport Thrift Shop, Malool Foundation, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Carroll Concrete, USDA, Town of Newport , CDFA and anyone who believed in supporting the seniors in Sullivan County.