N.B. Senior Center celebrates 20 years of fond memories
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township Senior Center celebrated the 20th anniversary of its rededication on Monday with a summertime barbecue, complete with lunch served by chef Craig Soltis and entertainment by DJ Jeffrey Heart.

The center, which is located at the site of the former municipal building on Linwood Place, is over 100 years old but expanded to its current facility in May 1988. Former Human Services Director Thomas Seilheimer said when he began in 1976, there were only three small rooms and a downstairs area for the seniors to meet.

He also said that the North Brunswick Senior Citizens Club and the Pioneers Senior Citizens Club met at separate locations, and that a director was not hired until after the expansion was completed.

"We wanted to create a center that provided an opportunity for the club to continue its activities, but at the same time, the seniors who didn't join [specific clubs] could participate in the facility, programs, craft projects, movie programs, etc.," Seilheimer said. "People of all ages, whether teenagers or adults or senior adults, if you engage them … in the process of planning, then they love participating."

Leo Glick was part of the initial planning process, a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment that granted a variance for the property because it was located in a commercial area.

"I'm glad I'm still alive [for the anniversary]," the 93-year-old smiled.

The center now includes over 500 seniors who join their friends in swimming, line dancing, wood carving, a monthly mayor's birthday breakfast, Scrabble, bridge, lunch, shopping trips and field trips among other activities.

"Being a senior, it was the only thing around at the time and I wanted to get involved, and I did," Glick said. "I thought it was a good thing and I knew a lot of people from where I lived in North Brunswick Gardens and all those people came here.

Soon after, a member of AARP approached the 50-year resident and he began a local chapter with 13 members at the center, later assuming the presidency of the group for three years. After 17 years of planning trips with the group, he said he "gave it up" five years ago. Now he enjoys his time as the vice chairman of the Friends of the Senior Center, a volunteer group whose mission is to fundraise for the center.

"This place here, it's changed so much. It's a wonderful place for seniors to meet. … Everybody here is so friendly," Glick said.

The former athlete said the biggest change is the physical look of the building, which was just three small areas at first. Also, he said there are many more members now because of more seniors living in North Brunswick.

"I think it's so important for seniors to get together instead of staying home, twiddling their thumbs, because there's

always something going on here," Glick said. "I think she's doing a wonderful job here, Jessica [Zink, director of the Senior Center]. She always knows what's going on and she's always booking trips."

He added that he believes staying active is what has kept him alive for so long.

"It seems we all understand one another because the longer you live, the more you see things happen. We all can relate to it because it's happened to us," Angie Connelly, 78, agreed.

Connelly, a 26-year North Brunswick resident, joined the center by accident, she said, after her daughter told her about the North Brunswick Senior Club.

"It is just wonderful to be amongst your peers," she said. "It's so pleasant to be here."

She enjoys dinner in the afternoon, shopping trips, plays and visits to Atlantic City, as well as the medical and beauty appointments the transportation department transports the seniors to. She also said the members enjoy bingo, crocheting, their own version of the Olympics, playing chess and entertainment.

"They try and get music in because old folks like music. We have sing-alongs," she laughed. "But [activities] are always to benefit the seniors, to give them knowledge of what Middlesex County can do for the age."

Zink said, "It's been fantastic," of the nine years she has served as director. "I've been able to add a lot of programs and build on what was already here. Proms, conferences, monthly events … it's a wonderful experience."

For the anniversary celebration, the township parks department, deputy director Greg Kikelhan, members of the Township Council, student volunteers and senior center volunteers donated their time.