SURREY About four years ago, a new senior citizens center in Surrey was built. On Friday, a celebration dedicated to the building will be held.
At the edge of the centers parking lot is a rock garden, which is part of the dedication.
The names of nine members who have since passed away are memorialized on a plaque in the garden. It is surrounded by colorful flowers and other fauna. A circular brick platform with a large stone in the center is in front. Trees were planted around it, and it "will be pretty once it gets going," said Vi Hosie, who has been a member of the Surrey Senior Citizens Center "since it started," which took place in 1997.
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James C. Falcon/MDN
A group of lilies are almost blooming at a rock garden at the Surrey Senior Citizens Center. On Friday, a dedication celebration for the new center, which was built four years ago, will be held. In the background is a plaque honoring members of the center who have since passed away.
The dedication was originally scheduled for this past April, but with the threats of flooding, that was postponed, Hosie explained.
"When the flood came up, it just didn't work that way," she said.
Hosie said that the center, at first, was located in the Surrey City Hall.
"We got a lot of money invested in that city hall in Surrey," she aid. We redid the walls, the kitchen and all kinds of stuff."
A more safe and handicapped-accessible center was then built about four years ago.
Hosie said that at one time there were 85 members. Those members are from Surrey, as well as the outlying communities, including Norwich and "farmers all around," she said. According to the center's bylaws, an individual can become a member of the center, but they are only allowed certain privileges, like voting, when they turn 55.
The center continues to be the cornerstone for all things popular. A corn feed that was held recently had a good turn out. More than $2,000 was raised, Hosie said.
On Sept. 17, a fall festival with an arts and crafts show will be held there, from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m.
"We rent out the tables for $10," said Hosie, who is in charge of the lunch. "Each one brings in their own goods."
The vendors keep their profits, and the center comes away with the $10 table fee, which goes back to keeping programs at the center.
A potluck and monthly meeting is held the last Friday of the month, and during the winter months, there is entertainment with dancing, Hosie said.
"We also have (chair) exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays," Hosie said. When asked if those were popular, she responded with a laugh. "They have 10 people now."
The activities of the seniors are not limited to only the center. Every year, the senior center hosts a waffle booth at the Norsk Hostfest. This year will be the tenth year. It will also be its last, Hosie said.
"We're all getting too old," she said. "A lot of work involved there."
The booth has served "lots and lots of waffles...into the thousands of waffles, we do sell," Hosie said.