Open house set for Cathlamet senior center

There will be an open house for senior citizens on October 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Community Center, located below the library in the lower half of the old City Hall at the intersection of Main Street and Columbia in Cathlamet.

The space will be used as a senior center five days a week from 10 a.m. to noon and organizers hope senior citizens will come to the open house for conversation, coffee and tea and to take time to fill out a survey. Organizers have high hopes for the center and will use the survey results to tailor activities for the local 65 and over crowd.

The survey has a long list of possible activities from which to choose as well as space to add more suggestions. The center already provides computer access and they will have board games and jigsaw puzzles.

Some of the options on the survey include card games like bridge and canasta, book clubs, knitting, wood carving, fly tying, origami and potlucks. The center could offer yoga or chair exercises. Musicians could gather for jam sessions.

Workshops and speakers could be planned as well, on a number of topics like nutrition, genealogy, senior scams and internet safety. Residents could learn how to use Facebook, Skype or how to use their smart phone.

“The winter months can be dull and depressing,” City Council Member and organizer Hannah Booth-Watts said. “This is an opportunity for seniors to get out and socialize, meet people and make friends.”

The space is warm and there will always be tea and coffee available.

“Bring your parents and neighbors in,” she added. “We won’t be checking ID. Even if you’re not a senior citizen you are welcome.”

For more information or to add input, contact:

--Ginger Hake, 360-751-0497 or admin@wahkiakumcommunitynetwork.org

--Hannah Booth-Watts, 360-795-0018 or booth-watts@townofcathlamet.com.