Town Board Celebrates Senior Center’s 40th Anniversary

It’s been a busy month at the Town of Huntington’s Senior Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and the members of the Town Council kicked off a month of activities on March 6 with some congratulatory remarks and a cake cutting.

At a ceremony in center’s cafeteria, the Town Board presented a proclamation that noted, “We congratulate the Department of Human Services, its Senior Division and the devoted staff at the Center on reaching this significant milestone, which reinforces our commitment to satisfy the needs and desires of our flourishing senior community. We value our Senior Center as a vital resource in the Town and look forward to its successful operation for years to come.”

When it first opened its doors on March 18, 1974, the Senior Nutrition Center aimed to provide a nutritious meal and enjoyable activities for all Town residents over the age of 60. The center became the focal point of an already-active array of activities for seniors, including social clubs established as far back as 1963. Expanded services and one major additional location – the Senior Beach House at Centerport Beach – have been added over the last four decades.

Today, the center’s kitchen staff at the Senior Center prepares an average of 275 meals a day. There are 13 senior clubs throughout the Town, with more than 1,600 members. Services and programs include the Gift & Thrift Shops,; the Adult Day Care Program, the Home Delivered Meal Program (which delivers approximately 90 meals a day); the Extended In-Home Services for the Elderly Program, and the Residential Repair Program. The Senior Center distributes 3,600 copies a month of its newsletter, “Calling All Seniors.” 

The kickoff celebration was the first of a number of activities this month to mark the 40th anniversary, including a March 11 Huntington History Program with Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, a March 21 senior center trivia game and a March 26 disco party with a 1970s theme.