Senior Center Spotlight — City of Madison

December 23, 2025

On an unusually warm but rainy Thursday morning in mid-December, Louise Webb grips a bright pink umbrella as she makes her way across the crowded parking lot to the Madison Senior Center. At 85, she moves with purpose — there’s a chair exercise class waiting, followed by choir practice.

“I’ve met more friends than ever here,” Louise said. “Everyone here is so nice, and I just enjoy coming on a regular basis. If I wasn’t here, I’d just be sitting around the house. When I come here, I stay as long as I can.”

Louise first discovered the center five years ago while grocery shopping at Kroger. She picked up a magazine featuring a story about the Madison Senior Center, called the next day to ask if she was eligible, and hasn’t looked back since.

That sense of belonging is a common refrain among members — including, apparently, the center’s newest and most unusual regular.

A white rooster affectionately nicknamed “Cluck Norris” wandered onto the property one day and decided to stay. Now the beloved feathered mascot can often be found near the front door or peering through windows, seemingly keeping an eye on the activity inside. And those inside keeping track of his movements.

Inside, the sounds of laughter and music spill from the choir room, where lifelong musician and entertainer Elaine Rice, 71, leads a growing group of singers. Elaine, also a former teacher, volunteered in 2024 to help organize a Christmas program, but the result became something much bigger.

“We sounded so good we decided there needed to be a choir,” Elaine said with an infectious laugh. “We started with about 12 people, and we’ve grown to 25.”

Interest continues to build, and the choir may soon expand. The group has already performed at senior living centers, sharing their joy well beyond the building’s walls.

“It’s just the joy of singing,” Elaine said. “I like to listen and contribute.”

The holiday season also brought familiar faces, including John Terry, 80, and his wife, Denise Crosby, 72, who have been married for 54 years. The couple served as Santa and Mrs. Claus, handing out goody bags filled with home-baked cookies and candy as a thank-you to fellow members.

“Ho, ho, ho,” John announced as they entered the choir room.

John comes to the center every day for coffee, conversation and socialization — a daily ritual that has become just as important as the activities themselves.

The energy inside the building reflects a period of unprecedented change and growth. In January, the center moved from its longtime 11,000-square-foot home at 1282 Hughes Road to a much larger facility at 1329 Browns Ferry Road.

The new center spans 37,000 square feet, allowing room for new programs, expanded activities and growing participation, said Senior Center Superintendent Levoneia “Bonnie” Ayers.

The former Hughes Road location is now the Madison Meeting Hall, but senior programming continues there alongside community meetings, family reunions and other gatherings.

More than 1,200 new members have enrolled since October 2024, when the center closed to prepare for the move to its current location. Before the move, Bonnie said the senior center had more than 2,000 members. An exact current count is still being tallied as new faces arrive each week, but membership now ranges between 2,000 and 3,000, she added.

“It’s a wonderful thing, really,” Bonnie said. “When one door closes, another opens.”

More than 9,000 meals are served annually inside the dining area at the center, and more than 5,500 meals are delivered annually to homebound seniors from the center.

Bonnie said the move has also made transportation to and from the center more accessible. The Madison Assisted Ride System (MARS) provides transportation for residents, with one morning pickup and two afternoon drop-offs. MARS Transportation Coordinator Trae Wiley said the service averages about 150 rides per week.

It’s a big deal for Roberto and Anna Maria Vrayer, 75, who take the bus to the center and enjoy a wide variety of classes and activities, including ceramics, exercise classes, lunch — and most of all, the company.

“I’ve lived in Madison five years,” Anna Maria said. “We started coming three times a week once transportation was offered.”

Cecilia Ramos, 64, said she didn’t know anyone when she first arrived but quickly made friends through the center’s classes. Elizabeth Plummer, 66, began attending in April after hearing about the center from a friend at church and also rides the bus.

After a Christmas-themed square-dancing class, Helen Oliver, 93, laughed as she caught her breath.

“I feel 93 after that,” she joked. “It was fun, but I don’t want to die by doing more — I’m exhausted.”

Helen has been coming to the center for at least 15 years. Sitting beside her was Sandra Lieberman, 84, who couldn’t participate that day but enjoyed watching the dancers.

“I enjoy the company,” Helen said. “You meet really sweet, nice people here. And the activities — not just sitting. At 93, I don’t want to be home by myself.”

Bonnie said the Madison Senior Center is in the process of becoming a SilverSneakers fitness location. And, the center also adds new programs each month, including support groups for caregivers, individuals living with Alzheimer’s, those experiencing grief, widows and others seeking connection.

“We ask everyone when they fill out an application, ‘What are your interests?’” Bonnie said. “We want people to come in — and stay — and we do that by trying to match their interests.”

From chair exercise and dance classes to billiards, ping pong, tai chi, genealogy, jewelry making, ceramics, puzzles, cards and chess — and more — there’s something for everyone.

As the center looks ahead, excitement continues to build.

“We’re excited about what 2026 will bring,” Bonnie said. “People are coming — and they’re finding community.”

Anyone looking for more information may call the center at 256-772-6242. Online, more information may be found here.

A complete Program Guide or Activity Schedule for January 2026 is available online.