Plaque added to the senior center

Linda Donovan, former Manila City Council woman, and Donnie Wagner, city council member, worked as co-chairs for the new West Mississippi County Senior Center in Manila project. They both agree it was well worth it as they look at the new building and view the newly placed plaque.

The idea of a senior center started several years ago with a bingo game in the Airport Community Center.

“We were expecting about 25 or so and we had 75 people show up,” Donovan said. “We had to move from the smaller back room to the large auditorium. We knew there was a need for a senior center for our citizens and the surrounding area.”

Donovan said when Mayor Wayne Wagner was elected he met with each of the council members asking what he/she would like to work on for the town.

“My goal was to see a place for our senior citizens to meet,” she said. “We met in the community center but it was also used for other activities and was available for rent. The idea of a new center became a reality.”

Councilman Wagner said it was through the efforts of the city, county and state working together. A grant helped finance the project.

Serving as site director is Whitney Shepard. She said they are very proud of their new building, which is adjacent to the Airport Community Center. There is a walk-way connecting the two buildings.

Shepard said they average 30 to 35 seniors a day.

“We had three new members this week,” Shepard said. “This new facility is good for the seniors and it is a blessing for them."

A dedication/ribbon cutting was held in October. The plaque was recently placed at the front of the building.

Other city officials recognized on the plaque are council members Wendell Poteet, Dale Murphy, Jason Baltimore, William Barnhart and Steven Milligan, city clerk Susie Parker, Mayor Wagner, along with the architects, deMx, and contractors, Olympus Construction, Inc.

The senior center is open Monday through Friday. Lunch is served at 11:30 each day and seniors enjoy games, exercise and guest speakers. Shepard encourages anyone interested in being part of the center to drop by and visit.