Seniors now have place to gather
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — After many years of discussion, including occasional public comments made during City Council meetings, senior citizens in the Star City now have a place to call their own for the purpose of holding meetings, gathering for luncheons, recreational use and even a class or two.
“The Gathering Place, located at 33 Davis St. in the former home of the Aroostook Agency on Aging, provides a place for seniors, offering a variety of services,” said Betty Higgins, a volunteer with the newly-formed organization.
The facility will officially open in April.
Higgins said individuals now have a place to call their own, where they can enjoy the company of other like-minded seniors.
“The facility provides a home for a number of opportunities, including: Meals on Wheels, charity sewing, Tuesday lunches, making friends, playing cards and games, visiting other seniors, learning a new skill or teaching an old one, as well as a drop-off place for donations of fabrics,” said Higgins, explaining the fabric is used to create quilts for a much younger generation.
“April 7 will be the start of the first event, making a memory quilt using donated fabric. I organize the sewing events,” said Higgins, who’s no stranger to charity work. “I used to do the senior meals at the school. Now I sew things like quilts, which are then donated to charitable organizations. I recently worked with the Pregnancy Care Center in Presque Isle, making quilts for clients.”
Higgins said the April 7 event will begin at 9 a.m.
“Participants are asked to bring an item such as a cotton shirt for use in the memory quilt,” said Higgins.
For more information, call Higgins at 764-4963 or Dottie Sines, program director for Aroostook Agency on Aging, at 764-6185.
