HOULTON, Maine — It has been a difficult few years for the Putnam House Senior Center, but a new influx of volunteers hopes to bring the group to new heights.
First the group had to overcome the challenges of finding the right location for its center.
Then in 2020 came a struggle with COVID-19 when the world essentially shut down. The group tried its best to continue providing services, once it was deemed safe, but ever so mindful that its target audience was one that could be affected most by the illness.
At the first of October, the entire leadership of the group turned over, requiring new people to step forward. Victoria Fryer was selected as the president, with Roberta Bouchard serving as vice president. Jo Holmes was selected as treasurer and Bonnie Reynolds is the new secretary.
“We are just learning the ropes,” Holmes said. “But it has been a fun learning experience.”
“It has been really interesting,” Fryer added. “When it (change in leadership) happened I was upset. Because I thought, ‘What are we going to do?’ There are so many things we hadn’t thought of that we would have to do.”
Plans for a senior center began in 2016, when a group of dedicated volunteers started work on making the senior center a reality. The group originally hoped to base its center at the historic Putnam House building on North Street when the Putnam Charitable Trust offered the property at 105 North St. for free.
But that building was deemed unsafe, and would have needed more than $100,000 in renovations just to make it habitable, so the group pivoted to its current building at 48 Court St.
That was not to say a lot of work was not needed at the current building, but structurally the bones of the dwelling were solid and volunteers in the community stepped up to transform what was once a veterinarian’s office into a cozy space.
The center officially opened in 2018 and quickly became a hub for area seniors to gather for socializing, music, games or to cook snacks in the kitchen.
“We are a group that offers companionship, especially at this time of year when people can be lonely,” Fryer said.
“It is important for people to get out of their homes, where they may be alone, and to interact with others,” Holmes added. “You need to be around people and we are always welcoming new members.”
A membership to the senior center is just $10 for a year, which barely covers the monthly expense of heat and electricity. Fortunately, the group is nearing the end of its mortgage, thanks again to the Putnam Charitable Foundation.
During the holiday season, the center plans to hold a number of special gatherings, featuring music and other forms of entertainment to help stave off the winter blues.
“Plus, with the cost of heating being what it is, we figure people could come here to stay warm, instead of having to heat their houses,” Fryer said.
Every Friday, the group offers lunch for just $5. Members take turns creating the meal plan, so that one person is not solely burdened with coming up with the food. On other occasions, bottled waters are available for $1 and coffee is just 50 cents.
“We had to charge for those things because we did not have any money coming in,” Holmes said.
The Putnam House Senior Center is open three days a week, Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m. Bingo is offered at noon Wednesdays. Other programs are scattered throughout the month.
“We like the idea that when people come here, it looks homey,” Holmes said. “We really strive to be a person’s home away from home.”
