Seniors throughout Hall County can find a variety of activities and services — not only in Grand Island, but Wood River, Alda, Cairo and Doniphan as well.

Lois Stienike is executive director at Grand Island’s Grand Generation Center and also oversees operations at senior centers in Wood River, Cairo and Doniphan.

Stienike has worked with the elderly for more than 30 years and has been with the center since before it was built at its current location, 304 E. Third, in 1978. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

At the Grand Generation Center, Stienike said a number of programs are available, many of which involve food and nutritional benefits for the elderly.

The Seniors Farmers’ Market Program, in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, provides a voucher that seniors can use to purchase fresh produce at local farmers’ markets.

The coupons are free for seniors, but can only be used with a certified grower. For more information about this summer program, Stienike encourages seniors to call the center.

The Grand Island center has also offered the Heartland SHARE program for over 10 years.

In return for a minimal amount of volunteer time, seniors can purchase packages of nutritious food for a modest fee.

An average SHARE package contains items like chicken, hamburger and other meats, as well as fruits and vegetables. For more information on SHARE, contact the Grand Generation Center.

Additionally, the center offers classes and programs, with guest speakers on topics such as nutrition and health issues concerning older adults.

Other activities include exercise classes, birthday parties, line dancing, other dances, cards and ceramics. A gift boutique provides a place for seniors to sell homemade items and crafts.

The center has also recently added a second hand store for seniors to shop at.
The Foster Grandparent Program allows seniors to work with students with special needs in area schools. The Nebraska Senior Companion Program provides companionship for elderly people who may be isolated or depressed.

Other programs include the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Meals on Wheels and the Handi-Bus, along with adult day care, a handyman service, the Tele-Care program and foot clinics.

Many of these same services are offered at Hall County’s other senior centers.
“It’s like what Lois does, but on a smaller scale, but there is always room for more” said Marge Langan, coordinator at the Doniphan Area Senior Citizens Center at 105 W. Plum. The Doniphan center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Like Grand Island, Langan said hot meals and home deliveries are provided five days a week in Doniphan.

Blood pressure testing is offered on site and activities include sing-a-longs, cards, holiday and birthday parties, bingo and pool. Another service provided by seniors in Doniphan is custom quilting.

“People bring in their quilt top, batting and backing, and volunteers quilt the project,” Langan said. The work is the center’s biggest fund-raiser.

Edie Johnson is coordinator at the Wood River Senior Citizen Center at 120 E. Ninth. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Johnson said some activities there include a noon meal and home-delivered meals, blood pressure checks, foot clinics, other health clinics, games, cards and crafts for each holiday.

The Cairo Senior Citizens Center is located at 314 S. High St. The coordinator is Carolyn Visser. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, the center provides a dinner five days week along with a daily morning coffee.

Cards are played on Wednesdays and one night a month on Fridays.

A potluck and card night is planned the second Saturday of each month.

Cairo also provides a once-a-month Sunday dinner fund-raiser, foot clinics, blood pressure clinics, guest speakers and programs and monthly hearing aid repair.

Seniors can also travel to Fort Randall casino during the summer.

Services such as meals and transportation are also available for Alda seniors, who use the United Methodist Church at 202 E. Pine.

For more information on any of these services, contact the Grand Generation Center at 385-5308, Wood River Senior Citizen Center at 583-2414, Alda Senior Center at 381-8069, Cairo Senior Citizens at 485-4634, or the Doniphan Area Senior Center at (402) 845-6583.