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CENTER OF ACTIVITY – Clients and staff at the Brooke County Senior Center get their hearts pounding to the beats they pound with drum sticks and makeshift drums made with larger rubber balls and buckets. It is a recent addition to the various activities managed by the center at 948 Main St. in Follansbee. — Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Visitors to the Brooke County Senior Center will often find there is a lot to do.

It could be a group of seniors pounding out a drum beat on large rubber balls led by a videotaped instructor — one of the newer activities offered at the center — or the staff behind the senior nutrition program preparing lunch.

Monday through Friday, the staff of the Brooke County Committee on Aging, which oversees the senior center at 948 Main St., is involved in providing food and other services to area seniors and ensuring seniors have something fun to do have to do.

Sandy Kemp, executive director of the commission, noted that bingo is played on most Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m., while people can often be found playing cards and other games there throughout the week.

She added that members of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees meet there on Wednesday mornings to play euchre and invite others to join them.

Sandy Jablonski, a former Follansbee resident, was one of many who donned a costume for the Brooke County Senior Center’s recent Halloween party. Among the many seniors who joined Jablonski for several rounds of bingo were Wellsburg residents Jean Hilt and Carolyn Wilson to her left. — Warren Scott

This summer, the drumming activity will be added on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Kemp said participants get their hearts pumping whether they’re standing or sitting.

“It’s a very good exercise” she said. “You really train your upper body.”

Kemp stated that the center offers Fun Day on the last Monday of every month from noon to 3 p.m., with games such as cornhole, darts and Bunco.

“Whatever someone wants to do,” she noted.

The Weirton residents who participated in the bingo games were, from left to right, Debbie Weinheimer and Kathy Zylo. — Warren Scott

A key part of the senior center’s schedule is the free lunch it offers Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. to seniors 60 and older.

The lunches are part of the Brooke-Hancock Senior Nutrition Program, which provides lunches to seniors at the Greater Weirton Senior Center and Freedom Place Apartments in Weirton Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

The program delivers hundreds of meals to homebound seniors in Brooke and Hancock counties.

Arrangements for meals for homebound seniors can be made by calling (304) 527-3410, Ext. 3. The same number must be used by those planning to receive a meal at one of the three food locations.

The program is supported by funds through the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and the Brooke and Hancock County Commissions.

Kemp said the program not only provides seniors with a hot, nutritious meal, but also the opportunity to talk and meet others.

“We really encourage them to come in and eat and chat,” she said, adding that attendance for the lunches ranges from 35 to 40 people and is normally larger if an activity follows.

Kemp said the senior center is occasionally visited by representatives from various organizations that share information relevant to seniors or conduct various health screenings.

For example, blood pressure checks are conducted most Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Brooke County Health Department recently provided flu shots there.

Kemp noted that there are plans to create a green space, with picnic benches and lighting, on a vacant lot next to the center.

The Brooke County Commission purchased and demolished a building on the property and is pursuing public and private grants for the area.

Additional parking spaces are being sought at the location, including one for disabled people.

The location would be far from the current lot, which is on a busy stretch of Main Street.

The lot would complement the existing lot behind the center, officials said.

But the Brooke County Committee on Aging isn’t just about reaching people at the senior center.

It provides transportation from downtown to places they want or want to go, Kemp said.

“We are super busy with transport,” she explained.

Kemp said the center has six vans, including one that is wheelchair accessible.

Drivers have been designated for trips to Veterans Affairs medical facilities in Pittsburgh Monday through Friday and in St. Clairsville on Thursdays.

Vans are available to transport seniors 60 and older to medical appointments, including dialysis during the week, and for monthly shopping trips to the Steubenville Wal-Mart and Fort Steuben Mall.

“We do ask that they call at least two weeks in advance if they need transportation,” Kemp said.

To arrange transportation, seniors must call ext. 2 on the number above.

Kemp has added several employees from the Brooke County Committee on Aging who are out and about providing home care services to seniors with health-related needs.

She said the workers help seniors stay in their homes by doing light housework, helping them with personal care and performing other tasks.

People covered by the program include residents who qualify for Medicaid, a Medicaid waiver or veterans benefits and others who pay on a sliding scale based on their income.

Kemp noted that the Aging Committee hires for the program’s non-medical workers, who undergo criminal background checks and first aid and other training before being assigned.

Through its partnership with the Brooke-Hancock-Ohio-Marshall Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Brooke County Committee on Aging provides opportunities for seniors to serve others.

Carolyn Matteson, the local RSVP director, said about 185 residents from the four counties volunteer their time with the program at 37 locations, including the Hancock County Senior Center, Greater Weirton Senior Center and local offices of Catholic Charities USA.

Matteson said the tasks they performed included filling backpacks with nonperishable food for local students, calling to check on homebound seniors and knitting lap coats for local nursing homes or homeless shelters.

She said there is a need right now for military veterans to join the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad in bestowing military honors at the funerals of fellow veterans who have died.

RSVP participants can be 55 years or older. Interested parties can get more information by calling (304) 374-9720.

Matteson noted that participants are invited to attend dinners held in their honor, one for Brooke and Hancock counties and another for Ohio and Marshall counties.

Kemp said two popular events held by the Committee on Aging for all seniors are a summer picnic at Brooke Hills Park and a Christmas party at the Brooke County center.

The latter will take place on December 19 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM and will include a light meal and music from Twice As Nice.

Reservations for the event must be made by December 10 by calling the senior center.

The center and its activities have received positive reviews from its regulars.

Karen Ference of Follansbee said: “When I retired last year I thought, what am I going to do now?

“I like it (the center). You learn to see people.”

Kay Nichols from Wellsburg said: “I like the conviviality. Everyone is friendly and nice. You meet new people and exercise is good for you.”

Nichols admitted that she was initially reluctant to come to the center, but was convinced by a friend.

“I didn’t think I would like it and I love it. You gotta give it a chance.” she said.

Diane Scott from Wellsburg said: “It’s so much fun and the people are so much fun, you want to bring your friends to be a part of it.”

“And the food is good too,” she added.

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