CLARKS SUMMIT — Interested seniors had the opportunity to see the fun things the Abington Senior Center has to offer at an open house June 10. They got to meet with senior center members who showed them around and they also got to see photos of fun activities the seniors do for the holidays.

“This is an annual event for people to see what we’re offering them,” said Steve Hansen, president of the senior center’s site council.

Hansen put together photos of activities in collages. There were photos of art classes, exercise classes, celebrations of birthdays and holidays, summer cookouts, bus trips, cruises, and dinners for Membership Appreciation Day. The photos were displayed to picque the interest of potential members.

The newcomers also got to see paintings completed by members who take art classes at the center. The artworks were mounted on the walls of the cafeteria. One of the art class students is Scranton resident Dave Ewert, who has been a member of the senior center for four years. He has water color paintings called “Early Morning Baking,” “Fruits of the Vine” and “Safe Haven.”

“I appreciate it,” Ewert said about his paintings being displayed.

The mounting system used to hang the paintings was installed by Glenburn resident Edward Ims, a member of the senior center’s site council, who also received additional mountings from the borough of Glenburn.

“The event was an enormous success,” Ims said about the open house. “I hope it can pick up new members and the existing members can participate a lot more.”

Ims provided musical entertainment by playing guitar while members Gerald McNulty and Ronald Refice played piano.

Guests of the open house listened to music as they enjoyed cake, which was to also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the senior center’s building. In 1993, Clarks Summit Borough was leasing the land from the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board and putting money into the center. The borough and Meals on Wheels signed a lease after deciding on the distribution of duties. The borough took care of the exterior priorities such as landscaping and building repair. Meals on Wheels agreed to take care of the interior needs such as cleaning and garbage disposal. A groundbreaking ceremony took place Oct. 23, 1993 to begin construction of the building that would be named Abington Senior Center.

The Abington Senior Center is currently funded in part under a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners through the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging. It is part of the Telespond Senior Services, Inc. network of services.

The open house also featured raffle baskets donated by local businesses and restaurants.

“I want to thank our members for getting donations for basket raffles,” said Mary O’Donnell, director of the senior center.

The open house also provided food from Texas Roadhouse and pizza from Colarusso’s Pizza in Clarks Summit.

“It was a good turnout, despite the rain,” said site council member Clara Kozlosky.

Shirlie Lowrie, a member of the site council, provided tablecloths and centerpieces to decorate the tables where the guests sat in the cafeteria.

Visitors to the open house experienced one of the center’s classes, the self-healing art of qigong, thanks to Rich Schmoyer, who also instructs tai chi and yoga at the center.

Activities at the center include games such as bingo, pinochle and Scrabble, and classes in painting, needlecraft, tai chi,yoga, line dancing, and other dance exercises.

“It’s a great event to bring the community together and show them what we have to offer,” said Adele Bianchi, manager of the senior center. “A lot of people don’t know what we’re about.”

Guests at the open house enjoy cake to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Abington Senior Center.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Seniors1.jpg.optimal.jpgGuests at the open house enjoy cake to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Abington Senior Center. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Rick Schmoyer, instructor of qi gong, tai chai and yoga, teaches qi gong to guests to guests at the open house. From left, are Ann Marie Gorko, Rose Anne Aveline, Mary Leiber, Rick Schmoyer, Florence Konosky, Victoria Dougherty, and Ben Matthews.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Seniors2.jpg.optimal.jpgRick Schmoyer, instructor of qi gong, tai chai and yoga, teaches qi gong to guests to guests at the open house. From left, are Ann Marie Gorko, Rose Anne Aveline, Mary Leiber, Rick Schmoyer, Florence Konosky, Victoria Dougherty, and Ben Matthews. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Abington Senior Center regulars mingle with newcomers at the open house.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Seniors3.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Senior Center regulars mingle with newcomers at the open house. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Abington Senior Center member Dave Ewert, of Scranton, with his water color paintings displayed in the senior center.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Senior4.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Senior Center member Dave Ewert, of Scranton, with his water color paintings displayed in the senior center. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Musical entertainment was provided by senior center members Edward Ims, left, on guitar and Gerald McNulty on keyboard.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Senior5.jpg.optimal.jpgMusical entertainment was provided by senior center members Edward Ims, left, on guitar and Gerald McNulty on keyboard. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Members of the Abington Senior Center’s Site Council are, from left, Pat Hansen, Clara Kozlosky, Shirlie Lowrie, and Bertha Baranowski.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Senior7.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of the Abington Senior Center’s Site Council are, from left, Pat Hansen, Clara Kozlosky, Shirlie Lowrie, and Bertha Baranowski. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Members play billiards at the senior center. From left, are Ben Matthews, Jr, Bob Hersh, Florence Konosky, Ben Matthews, Sr., senior center director Adele Bianchi, site council president Steve Hansen, Victoria Dougherty and John Kman.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_Senior8.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers play billiards at the senior center. From left, are Ben Matthews, Jr, Bob Hersh, Florence Konosky, Ben Matthews, Sr., senior center director Adele Bianchi, site council president Steve Hansen, Victoria Dougherty and John Kman. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or by email at news@theabingtonjournal.com.