Wahoo Parks and Recreation

senior_center The Wahoo Senior Citizen’s Center was organized and formed in 1971 in response to the passage of the Federal Older Americans Act. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1980 and now operates as a division within the Parks and Recreation Department in providing services to area senior citizens in matters relating to:

Health Services » Economic Welfare » Transportation

Recreation » Nutrition » Volunteer Services

The Senior Center operation is funded by the City of Wahoo as well as through income derived from the Thrift Shop and Busy Wheels programs. The Senior Center is located at 235 E. 4th Street and is located adjacent to (north of) the Wahoo Civic Center. Normal hours of operation are 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday.

Nutrition
Hot, nutritious, low cost meals are served at the Senior Diner located next to the Senior Center . The diner is operated by Saunders County and serves as the home of the “Meals on Wheels” program.   Lunch time meals are served Monday through Friday. Home delivered meals are available for those unable to travel to the diner. Contact the Senior Diner at 443-4887 for more information, including meal prices and reservations.

Community Thrift Shop
The Community Thrift Shop is a service open to the entire community.   The shop offers a wide variety of clothing items for men, women, and children as well as household items such as small appliances, dishware, and bedding. Many bargains and hard to find items are available at nominal prices. Donations of clean clothing and household items are welcomed.   Regular hours of operation are 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are scheduled each month. Contact the Center for more information.

Health Services
The Senior Center offers a number of health care and preventative medical services and programs.   These programs include: monthly blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, cholesterol tests, and flu shots.   Special offerings in the past have included osteoporosis screening and carotid artery testing. The Senior Center also works closely with the Saunders County Health Department to offer pertinent and timely seminars and workshops.

The Senior Center also maintains an exercise room which includes a variety of cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, stationary bikes, and steppers.   Senior Center patrons are also able to use the locker rooms and whirlpool at the Civic Center for no charge.

Transportation
The Senior Center operates an “in-town” transportation service for area seniors.   Transportation is provided within the City of Wahoo Monday through Thursday for a $1 donation per pick-up.   The “Busy Wheels” van can provide transportation to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or other appointments and meetings.   Hours of operation for Busy Wheels are as follows:

          Monday – Thursday:        9am-11:45am    and    1pm-3:45pm

For better service it is suggested that riders call before 9am for morning service or 1pm for afternoon service. Phone the center at 443-4463 for appointments.

Recreation
The Wahoo Senior Center provides a number of opportunities for recreational involvement.   The center sponsors a senior band called the Serenading Seniors.   Their instruments include tea pots, kazoos, keg drum, wash tub drum, spoons, piano, guitar, and violin.   Additional band members are always needed.   The Senior Chorus also is looking for individuals willing to entertain area nursing home residents with music, poetry, and stories.

Craft classes have included water color and oil painting, wood carving, stenciling, stamp art, and paper mache.   Travelogues, sermonettes, sing-a-longs, movies, and Bingo help to spice up some of the afternoons.   Snooker and pool tables, crossword puzzles, newspapers, and magazine reading are everyday activities.

Anyone is welcome to join the card games. On Monday afternoon, the seniors play 10 point pitch.   On Wednesday morning, Bridge occupies their attention.   On Thursday afternoon, seniors gather for Pinochle.   Card tournaments usually occur on Friday afternoons.   Contact the center to check the monthly schedule for exact dates and times.

The center also sponsors tours to the Lincoln Community Playhouse, Omaha Community Playhouse, The Rose, The Grand Olde Players Theater and The Lofte Theater. Many other special annual trips are held each year.

Volunteering
The Senior Center offers abundant opportunities to work on center projects such as driving the Busy Wheels van, working in the Thrift Shop, or helping keep the center ready for the next day’s events or special projects. The Senior Center relies upon dedicated volunteers to assist the staff with a variety of Center functions and services. Contact the Center if you have some time you would like to share.

For more information about the Wahoo Senior Citizen’s Center, contact Dorothy “Jeannie” Bixby, Center Manager at 443-4463 during regular hours of operation.