The Logan County Chamber of Commerce is honoring the Logan County Heritage Center as the Business of the Week. On hand for the recent presentation were (left to right) Kathy Graham, Cynthia Mills, Julie Boren and Mary Ann Berg.
..... “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
..... These words by Margaret Mead could easily apply to a small group of Sterling citizens who helped change our community in the late 1960s. Many older adults in the community were gathering at what is now the Sterling Foursquare Church to play cards and share in social and recreational time together. ..... ..... From that group the Senior Citizen’s Club was organized and chartered Oct. 6, 1969, with their mission being “To add Life to Years, Not Years to Life.” Over time the group ran out of room and decided that they needed a space of their own.
..... In partnership with the Logan County Recreation Commission they were able to move activities to the Christ United Methodist Church annex three times a week.
..... The driving force in establishing the Logan County Heritage Center, this organization petitioned the City of Sterling for a space they could call their own. On Aug. 15, 1975, the Heritage Center opened its doors at the current location of 821 N. Division Ave.: 255 members attending daily for pool, cards, games, music and dancing. At that time the Heritage Center was operated and financed through City of Sterling Recreation. In November of 1989, in an agreement between the City and the County the Heritage Center’s operations and maintenance became the responsibility of Logan County.
..... The Logan County Council on Aging which started the 55 Plus Bus and offered in-home services to help keep older adults safely at home and took care of the daily management of the building. Over time, due to how funding sources were distributed, the Area Agency on Aging absorbed these programs and continues to offer these services to Logan County citizens. The Council on Aging still calls the Heritage Center its home, and continues to help serve older adults needing assistance and continues to guide the Heritage Center as it grows and expands.
..... The Area Agency on Aging has a Senior Citizen’s Coordinator office on location to provide information, referrals, and senior health insurance counseling in addition to other in-home services. The Area Agency on Aging also funds and manages the nutrition program Meet & Eat. Once hosted at the Episcopal Church it has been at the Heritage Center since 1988. The Meet & Eat program provides meals at the center (when not closed due to COVID-19 restrictions) for those who want to share a meal and conversation with their peers, or you can have the meal delivered if you are 60 years of age and older.
..... In the fall of 2008 Tivity SilverSneakers® exercise program was added to the lineup of the many activities and programs hosted at the Heritage Center. SilverSneakers® Yoga led by certified instructor Kathy Graham is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. offering Yoga. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., the center offers SilverSneakers® Classic led by certified instructor Cynthia Mills. Most recently one local exercise patron Dorothy Hood was recognized as a finalist for the prestigious SilverSneakers® Swanson Award.
..... Many programs operate with the help of volunteers. We are blessed by many who are willing to share of their time and energy. We are tremendously grateful to our volunteers who have kept our meals going and to those who help our higher-risk adults with grocery shopping/errands during these unprecedented times.
..... The Heritage Center is staffed by a full time coordinator, Cynthia Mills, part time assistant staff members Mary Ann Berg, Jane Mullanix, Joni Thompson, and custodian Julie Boren. We enjoy working with our Area Agency on Aging partners Tiffany Cady, Tracy Miracle, Karen Ness and Brenda Nelson. ..... ..... We want to thank those officers and board members serving on the Council on Aging and the Senior Citizen’s Club that have kept that 1969 spirit alive “To Add Life to Years, Not Years to Life.”
..... Please call the Logan County Heritage Center if you are interested in volunteering with us or if you would like more information at (970) 522-1237 or email us at heritagecenter@kci.net
