For the last 15 months, the Trigg County Senior Citizens Center on Joy Lane hasn’t had much joy within its walls — closed since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Thursday morning, happiness once again filled its halls…following a heavily-attended grand reopening of what’s been one of the more pivotal civic buildings in Cadiz.
Iris “Cissy” Lawrence, the center’s long-time director, was beside herself — mostly speechless. Granted a “Key to the City” by Cadiz Mayor Todd King for her due diligence and senior advocacy, Lawrence and her staff have been waiting more than a year to return to some sort of normal — missing the sounds of chatter, the bellows of BINGO or the cracking of cue balls on the pool tables along the way.
Thursday just felt right.
It’s not like the center has been completely empty over the last year, or without pride. Lawrence said she and her crew became responsible for more than 150 daily hot meals — either delivered or picked up — for those 60 and older within the community, and that’s a service that will continue for those who seek it.
It’s also something that helped keep spirits up and active during the pandemic, something Henrietta Jimenez — the center’s head cook — said was a blessing to keep connections alive and well.
Glenn Herold, a native of Reidland that’s retired in Cadiz, has been coming to the Citizens Center for nearly five years — rooting out the best local billiards players for his weekly tournaments.
A March 2021 benefit at Sharkie’s helped get things back on track, Herold said, but those consistent competitions can finally return with some regularity.
Staff at the Citizens Center actually made one pickup for Thursday’s celebration — Mildred Grasty, retired music teacher from the Trigg County school system. This was one party she wasn’t going to miss.
A frequent flier with the Center, Grasty says she spent the last 15 months being as active as she possibly could without her typical routine visits — taking hobby suggestions from friends and family.
But what was it like to finally be back? Grasty was gracious.
Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Center and its staff offer several services: congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation, homemaker options, adult day care, day and overnight trips, health counseling, recreation, meeting room space and free legal assistance among them.
A hot meal is daily served from 11 a.m. to noon, which meets 1/3 of the RDA dietary allowance. Three PACS buses cover all of Trigg County, and Lawrence said regular programming will soon return.
Though not required at this time, Lawrence also added masks and hand sanitizer are available for those who need it, while she and most of her staff are vaccinated against COVID-19. If someone is uncomfortable, drive-thru remains available for meal pick-up.
Adult Day Care takes place from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., with breakfast, snacks, games, lunch and crafts provided with the transportation to and from the site.
Questions, concerns or just need a ride? Call (270) 522-8341.
