If there’s one thing 92-year-old Robert Howell counts on, it’s a hot meal from the New Hope Senior Center.
“I don’t usually eat until around 2 in the afternoon so I like to take mine home so I can eat it when I’m ready,” Robert said sitting in the passenger seat of his daughter and son-in-law’s car in the center parking lot. “I am so thankful for them here because I know I will be getting one good meal every day.”
A hot meal for lunch with friends is the main attraction at the New Hope Senior Center, said Dean Manley, center manager. He and Diane Honea run the center with her responsible for Meals on Wheels. They serve 17 hot meals at the center and 9 meals are delivered to homebound participants.
There are activities and games made available to those who come to the center, but mostly, people come for the food, Dean said.
Robert is a prime example. A few years ago when his daughter Kay Witherow and her husband, Joel, moved to Grant, he went with them. Within a couple of weeks, he was ready to move back home and showed up at the New Hope center.
“He walked in the door and asked if he could come home,” Diane said. “I told him of course, and he wanted to know when he could get a meal.”
Kay, 71, and Joel, 84, sometimes join in big meals at the center like at Thanksgiving and other special holidays.
“They’ve been so good to Daddy,” Kay said. “It means a lot to know he gets this one meal each day and that he looks forward to it.”
Diane said they’ve spoiled their community at the center.
“They know we’ll have lunch ready at 11, they’ll come in chat, eat and go home and probably be taking a nap by 11:30.”
Dean said participants call frequently ask questions about different services or repairs they need help with at their homes. They know it’s a resource for them, in addition to the hot meals.
Dean and Diane and first cousins and have created a center that is a family affair. Grandkids come up from time to time and help out with cleaning or visiting with the participants. Some of the participants also bring their grandkids along because everyone knows each other.
And it’s a place where friends are remembered. Dustin Layne planted a crepe myrtle outside the center in honor of his grandmother Arlene Duncan. The family of Modena Spivey gave the center an upright freezer in her memory because my loved the center so much.
And it’s not just the hometown folks who feel welcome. Phil Vanaria, 84, moved to the area from Florida in May, after the death of his longtime wife. He wanted to be closer to his son in Owens Cross Roads.
“The food is better here than in Florida,” Phil said. As an Army veteran, he now leads the pledge of allegiance and prayer at the center every day.
“When I got here, I thought, this is unreal,” he said. “The people in this state are very different from anywhere I’ve ever been. They are more friendly than anywhere else.”
In the activity room, Terra Wilcox, 83, is working on a puzzle featuring dogs.
“Anyone who comes in here has to put at least two pieces on a puzzle before they can leave,” she said. Working puzzles is good for the mind, she added.
“I like associating with other people and it helps me to get out and talk to other people, “Terra said. “One friend comes three days a week and we sit and color … we really enjoy it.”
She said what’s nice about the food at the center is that it’s a plate with balanced nutrition.
“I don’t do a lot of shopping, and I don’t like to throw away food and I don’t cook anymore,” Terra said. “I’d be all alone in the world without this place … it’s a wonderful, wonderful place.”
Peggy Hubbs, 80, and her husband Robert, 77, come to center to volunteer with serving and cleanup.
“I like helping people and it helps you when you do something to help others,” she said.
Aline McGlocklin, 70, has been coming to the center for lunch for about three months.
“My brother gets food delivered and he likes it, and I decided to come here,” Aline said. “I love my ladies here. The people and the food are good.”
Charley McPeters, 83, and his wife Ava, also help out at the center by helping cleanup after meals.
“The meals provide what we need to eat,” Charley said. “But I’m not a fan of the chicken when we have that.”
Linda Harris, 78, started going to the center in 2013 and a few years later, and husband Don Harris, 77, started going.
“We both wanted a place to come and enjoy other older people,” Don said. “We weren’t always the oldest but it’s nice to fellowship with others, hear them talk and tell their stories about growing up in this area.”
Dean said anyone interested in coming to the center can stop by at 121 Church Street, or call 256-723-2208 for more information.
