Name/Title
Waupun Senior CenterScope and Content
Historical information on Waupun Senior Center for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI.
*Facts are typed and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected.
HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES OF THE WAUPUN SENIOR CENTER
On May 1, 1969, about 40 Senior Citizens of Waupun met in the Library to explore the possibilities of establishing a Senior Citizen Center in Waupun. Duane Williardson, past director of Wisconsin Division on Aging, and Mildred Zimmerman, Field Consultant of Division on Aging from Madison, were here. John Mulder was chairman.
Two committees were formed. The Building Committee consisted of Walter Stern, Albert Schultz, Orville Nedderson, Mrs. Esther Corey, Mrs. Giebink, Mildred Zimmerman, and John Henken. The Program Committee consisted of John Lovejoy, Mrs. John Lovejoy, Mrs. Robert Custin, Mrs. Earl Cornell, Earl Cornell, and Mrs. Rose Franzen.
Several attempts were made to obtain funds through the federal government for the Center. The City finally decided not to pursue this funding due to considerable red tape and leased the North side of the Archie Building. Repairs and alterations began and when completed furniture and appliances had to be bought and some were donated. By March 5, 1970, the Center was ready to have an Open house. Approximately 150 people attended and signed the register. Lunch was served.
Henceforth, the Senior Center was in operation. The Center is open to anyone 60 years of age and above. The Center is open daily from 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. except Thursday, when it is closed in the afternoon but open in the evening for weekly card parties for the Seniors. The Sunday hours are from 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
On August 25, 1970, Earl Cornell was appointed Director of the Center. Bert Blassius was hired as janitor.
Early in 1971, we became aware that the old library was to be vacated and we had hopes of obtaining the building for our Center. A group of the Seniors went over to the building to see if it would suit the needs of the Senior Citizens. We were very excited about the possibilities but soon realized the historical Society was also interested in this building. Much to our disappointment we learned that the Historical Society was to use the old library, thus, we settled down to enjoying our present Senior Center.
On February 1, 1974, Earl Cornell submitted his resignation as Senior Center Director. On April 1, 1974, Margaret Hoppe was appointed Coordinator of the Center. We are now a part of the Parks & Recreation Department. A Commission has been formed with members appointed by the City: Alfred Mertens was president, Jess Nickel was treasurer, and Mrs. Arnold Buchholz was secretary. Other members of the commission were: Carl Weihert, Orville Nedderson, Margaret Hoppe, Coordinator, Dick Vliem, Parks & Recreation. Director, and John Mulder as City Council representative.
There are many activities that the Seniors are involved in. Every month a group of the ladies visit the Christian home for the Aged in Waupun and help the residents play bingo. We visited the Randolph Nursing Home where we had an enjoyable time singing to and with these residents. There are some Seniors who bowl, and have entered postal bowling tournaments through the Waukesha Parks and Recreation Department. Every Thursday night we have card parties for the Seniors and have also hosted public card parties. We organized a rhythm band and played at several occasions.
There is an art-craft held on Monday afternoons at the Center at which time the ladies make many things as afghans, shawls, Christmas ornaments, beads, etc. One project that the ladies have done was making lap robes which they have given to many sick and shut-ins in the community. The material was donated by the Ripon Knitting Company.
Homestead Tax Relief forms were made out at the Center. Many Seniors in Waupun came to the Center to obtain help in filling out these forms. Some cf the seniors have helped in Salvation Army and cancer drives. The Waupun Center hosted the Fond du Lac County picnic at the Fond du Lac County Park in Waupun with 400-600 attendance.
We have gone on many bus trips and have seen many places of interest in Wisconsin: Milwaukee trips have included the Airport, Domes, zoo, Goodwill, Whitnall Park and State Fair; House on the Rocks near Madison; Parker Pen Co. in Janesville; Sun Prairie Colonial House Senior Center; Ripon Cookie Factory; Neenah Paper Co.; New Glarus Lace factory; boat rides on Green Lake and Chain of Lakes near Waupaca; Manitowoc shipyard and submarine, Oshkosh Museum and Paine Art Center; Kohler factory; Baraboo circus acts and winery; Fox Lake Correctional Institute; Fond du Lac Rosalind Apartment and Autumn House; and West Bend Aluminum. On all our trips we always arranged a nice eating place. We also stopped at many shopping centers. Twice we went to the theater in Milwaukee and saw "Mame" and "Fiddler on the Roof." We also went to King Veteran home and museum and Waukesha Art Fair.
Several golden anniversaries have been celebrated by the seniors in Waupun: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wallendal, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cornell, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lenz, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Kjell Franzen, and Mr. and Mrs. Orville Nedderson. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Blassius celebrated their 60th anniversary.
Recently we used the mini-bus from Fond du Lac which comes to Waupun every Tuesday. Seniors can request the bus if they want to go to the doctor, beauty parlor, dentist, or shopping in Fond de Lac. They must request the bus the day before and no fee is charged.
We have visited many Senior Centers and many of them have returned our visit: Fond du Lac, Ripon, Brandon, Fox Lake, Oakfield, Campbellsport, West Bend, Manitowoc, Wrightstown, Sheboygan, Appleton, Mt. Calvary, Janesville, Beaver Dam, and Sun Prairie. We have served meals to: Kiwanis Club, Rebeccas, and a group from Wrightstown Sr. Center.
Several organizations have done things for the Center: the High School invited the Center for a dinner and 73 attended; the American Legion Auxiliary entertained the Center at several parties; the 151 Club gave a chicken dinner at the Center and all the food was brought in; the Lions Club and the Fire Department played a basketball game donating the proceeds to the Center; the WLKE Radio Station was manned by Jaycees for one day and proceeds donated to the Center.
Several projects have been done through the efforts of many people: curtains were made by some of the women at the center; many hours were spent by Bert Blassius and Arnold Buchholz in reupholstering some chairs obtained from Braun Restaurant. Each year around the first of March we have a celebration marking the anniversary of the Center. We have pot-lucks on the second Tuesday of the month and on special occassions along with some entertainment as speaker, movies, or slides from trips, and always have an enjoyable time.
During our afternoon sessions there is much activity: card playing, pool, puzzles. Men from the community play dominoes and are invited to have lunch with us. Another project is serving nutritional meals through Advocap of Fond du Lac County. First these were served in lower level of St. Joseph Church but now are served on other half of Archie Building. The meals are for anyone 63 years or over and transportation is provided if needed, or meals are delivered if need be.
Although we have had good times at the Center, we are still hoping for the new Senior Citizen Center to become a reality.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
