TOWANDA SENIOR CITIZENS GROUP by Beverly Meginnes, 2007 In 1978, under President Beverly Meginnes, the Towanda Junior Woman's Club examined ways in which they could do things for the community. Sue Sutter suggested starting a Senior's Citizen Group as there were a number of older residents who lived alone in the community. Beverly developed a list of senior citizens from people she knew and solicited more names from them. An attempt was made to allow the group to have lunch at the Towanda Elementary School, but that possibility didn't work out, so she set up a time to meet at the Community Building for a potluck lunch to be followed by an afternoon playing Bingo. Other activities were planned but Bingo seemed to the game of choice of the group. Most of the prizes were donated and later some were purchased. Several members served as hostesses each month to see that the tables and chairs were set up and to prepare coffee. They usually provided a guessing game for a prize (how many beans in the jar, etc.) There were usually several Junior Woman's Club members and sometimes their children who helped plan and serve as hostesses at the Seniors' events in the early years. Eventually the group became more independent, electing officers, arranging for entertainment and programs of interest. Attendees bring a dish or two to share and table service. The Lions Club, Scouting Organization and Junior Woman's help pay for the meat for the meal. The group holds a bake sale in conjunction with the Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast, sells birthday calendars, and has a free will offering at lunch to help fund their programs. The size of the group has ranged from a dozen to more than 30 over the years. The group has for the most part met monthly, on the second Wednesday at 12:00 noon and has continued to have faithful attendance of long-time and former residents of the community, and their friends.
