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Nestled among stately Ponderosa Pines and Incense Cedars is the Senior Center at the Fairgrounds . Since 1982, the center has been attracting both seniors and younger members of the community to its wide range of programs, services, and activities.
For some, the Senior Center is home away from home , or a new lease on life , or, for others, just a friendly place to meet old and new faces . The center is also located in what has been judged the most beautiful county fairgrounds in the state, and some would add in the nation . Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but it is certainly in the eye of those who come to the Senior Center at the Fairgrounds."
The Senior Center at the Fairgrounds is a program of the Senior Citizens' Foundation of Western Nevada County (referred to as the SCF or the Foundation).
The Foundation was incorporated in December 1976 as a private non-profit organization for charitable purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code-meaning that the SCF pays no taxes and that donors' contributions to the SCF are tax-deductible. The Foundation's Board of Trustees , up to 25 maximum, are elected by the Board from nominees submitted by community organizations identified by name in the Foundation's Articles of Incorporation.
The center was built in 1982. From 1976 until 1981, the Foundation's Trustees had their eyes on several other locations for the construction of what they hoped would be a Senior Center just for Seniors . But, economic realities, the sheer cost of land and construction, thwarted their plans.
In 1981, the Trustees and the Nevada County Fair Board reached an agreement. The Fair Board would provide the landright where we are today - and about $100,000. The Trustees would put up about $250,000 from both private and public funds raised by the Foundation. The result of the joint effort is what the Fair Board calls the Cultural Arts Center and what the Foundation and the nearby community calls the Senior Center .
In 1982, the Foundation and the Fair Board entered into a lease agreement for 20 years. In 1987, the agreement was extended until the year 2007. By the terms of the lease, the Fair Board is the lessor and the Foundation is the lessee. In addition, the Foundation agreed to provide office space to Telecare for the duration of the SCF's lease agreement with the Fair Board.
With a few exceptions, the SCF has the use of the Senior Center from 8:30 to 5:00, Monday through Friday. The Fair Board has exclusive use of the center before, during, and just after the County Fair in August and during the four days beginning with Thanksgiving. The agreement also allows the Foundation to use the center one night a month (again, with a few exceptions) for fund-raising activities.
With the exception of rent-that was paid by the Foundation's original contribution back in 1982 and by its subsequent contribution to expand the kitchen in 1987 the Foundation pays for almost everything else pertaining to the inside of the center (for example utilities, janitorial services, insurance, and center personnel).
In one word, NONE! The Foundation does, however, get a federal grant for the High Noon Senior Nutrition Program.
The operating expenses of the center are covered by membership dues, donations, activity fees, and the on-going fund-raising activities of the Foundation, such as trips, dances, special dinners, pancake breakfasts, wine & cheese tasting, etc.
We have already mentioned the Center's Luncheon, available 5 days a week at High Noon ! Our Swiss-born and -trained chef, Jaime Recarens, directs his kitchen staff in preparing nutritionally balanced and tasty meals five days a week at High Noon. Chef Jaime, his staff, and a corps of volunteers also prepare gourmet dinners and dining opportunities associated with special events.
Do you like Cards? We have bridge and pinochle games going on throughout the week. Formal playing is available on Mondays and Thursdays. Informal pick-up games occur just about anytime in any place where there is room.Are you ready to loosen up and let your limbs fly with some Exercise? Or, would you prefer to start and stay in the slow lane? The choice is yours, ranging from Aerobic Exercise to Tai Chi to Weight Training. We are constantly adding to our list of physical fitness classes and activities. Let us know if there is something you think we ought to try.
Shall we Dance? For fun, exercise, and socializing, you can't do much better than dancing. Here's our current list of offerings.If we don't have something, let us know. We will help you find out if there are other members who might be interested in the same. That's how most of the center's activities, classes and support groups have evolved over the years.
The center also offers meeting space to a number of Support Groups
such as:
If you have restless feet and want to see the world, you don't have to join the Navy, just join the Senior Center Travel Club . It's the center's most popular program.
Anyone who is 50 years of age or older, or the spouse of a member 50 years of age or older, may become a member.
The calendar-year membership dues are $10 for a single membership and $15 for a family membership. Although our annual membership campaign runs from December through February, anyone may join the center at any time during the year.
Discounts on all fee-based programs, classes, and activities at the center at its community-affiliated venues.
Preference over non-members on waiting lists for programs, classes and special events.
The Center's and the Travel Club's publications, special discounts and bonuses offered to Senior Center members by area merchants.
There is a growing list of volunteer opportunities both at the center and in the community at large. All of the receptionists who work the front desk in the lobby, five days a week from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, are volunteers. The center's High Noon Senior Nutrition Program with its home-delivered meals (also called "Meals On Wheels") enlists a corps of volunteers who deliver hot, nutritious meals five days a week to more than 100 home-bound seniors. Most of the center's volunteers are also members of the local Retired Senior Volunteer Program. While membership in RSVP is not required for volunteer services at the center, members do benefit from RSVP's mileage stipend and insurance coverage and the support services of the RSVP office in Grass Valley.
Many other volunteer opportunities are available, from starting and conducting classes or interest groups to helping in the center's many fund-raising events and activities, assisting the tour director of the travel club to working with our chef helping to prepare meals. If you want to volunteer, just tell the center's director of your interest.
Members are also welcome each month to participate in the center's advisory committee meetings. This informal committee advises the center's director and his staff. The committee also can and does make recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Advisory committee meetings usually take place on the second Friday of the month from 10:00 to 11:45 AM in the dining room.
For more information, phone the Senior Center at 273-4961 or, better yet, visit the center and get more information from one of our receptionists or from our Membership & Travel Desk Coordinator.
Go to the Home Page of the Senior Citizens' Foundation of Western Nevada County
e-mail to Senior Citizens' Foundation of Western Nevada County