The Rugby Senior Center is a place where people can get close to each other enough to feel like family. It is a warm welcoming oasis from the challenges of life.

People go to the center to visit, play cards, play bingo, have silent auctions just for fun, and other activities based on the interests of the members. The club has about 80 members of which 30-35 attend monthly meetings. The meetings usually feature an educational topic of interest to the group. In May this club has a special memorial service for the members who have passed away.

Officers of the senior center are Mary Jelsing, president, Joyce Meier, vice-president, Elaine Selensky, secretary and Dorothy Slaubaugh, treasurer.

The seniors have a spring fundraiser to supplement revenue that the organization receives from a county mill levy which is primarily used to support congregate meals at the center, meals on wheels for those who stay home, and frozen-ahead meals. Tri-County Senior Meals provides the food.

Myrna Muffenbier is the director of the Tri-County Senior Meals program which serves other towns and counties in the area along with Rugby. She spends a great part of her day providing information and referrals to callers. Providing information is an important part of her job.

The meals are good and meet all the requirements for a healthy meal. All are welcome to have a noon meal at the center. People of all ages come and the cost is more than reasonable. If a person needs a ride, there is a bus through the Pierce County Council on the Aging that can pick them up. One does not have to be a senior citizen to use this bus.

In order to keep getting this service, people need to use it, as funds are dispersed accordingly.

“We want to keep the program going so it is there when people need it,” said Mary Jelsing.

“I go to get a real good meal,” said Howard Thompson, as he walked in to the center with a gallon of milk. He had heard that they needed milk so he brought some.

Jelsing, who is the meal site manager, has worked at the senior center for the past 26 years.

“It is one of the best things I ever did,” said Jelsing about coming to work for the center.

She enjoys all the people who frequent the center. Jelsing would like to see even more people use the center. She talks about some of the people who come to the center and it is clear she carries them in her heart.

“Four men sit at the same table every day,” said Jelsing. “They consider themselves family and help each other out.”

She goes on to say that there is a group of ladies who love to play rummy and have enjoyed a potluck meal with their game.

Elaine Selensky wandered into the center. “I think it is fun to get out of the house,” she said. She keeps busy at home with sewing projects, alterations, and decorating cakes but comes to the senior center to visit.

Loretta Richard enjoys coming to the center, too. “I love being with people,” she smiled.The Rugby Senior Center is a place where people can get close to each other enough to feel like family. It is a warm welcoming oasis from the challenges of life.

People go to the center to visit, play cards, play bingo, have silent auctions just for fun, and other activities based on the interests of the members. The club has about 80 members of which 30-35 attend monthly meetings. The meetings usually feature an educational topic of interest to the group. In May this club has a special memorial service for the members who have passed away.

Officers of the senior center are Mary Jelsing, president, Joyce Meier, vice-president, Elaine Selensky, secretary and Dorothy Slaubaugh, treasurer.

The seniors have a spring fundraiser to supplement revenue that the organization receives from a county mill levy which is primarily used to support congregate meals at the center, meals on wheels for those who stay home, and frozen-ahead meals. Tri-County Senior Meals provides the food.

Myrna Muffenbier is the director of the Tri-County Senior Meals program which serves other towns and counties in the area along with Rugby. She spends a great part of her day providing information and referrals to callers. Providing information is an important part of her job.

The meals are good and meet all the requirements for a healthy meal. All are welcome to have a noon meal at the center. People of all ages come and the cost is more than reasonable. If a person needs a ride, there is a bus through the Pierce County Council on the Aging that can pick them up. One does not have to be a senior citizen to use this bus.

In order to keep getting this service, people need to use it, as funds are dispersed accordingly.

“We want to keep the program going so it is there when people need it,” said Mary Jelsing.

“I go to get a real good meal,” said Howard Thompson, as he walked in to the center with a gallon of milk. He had heard that they needed milk so he brought some.

Jelsing, who is the meal site manager, has worked at the senior center for the past 26 years.

“It is one of the best things I ever did,” said Jelsing about coming to work for the center.

She enjoys all the people who frequent the center. Jelsing would like to see even more people use the center. She talks about some of the people who come to the center and it is clear she carries them in her heart.

“Four men sit at the same table every day,” said Jelsing. “They consider themselves family and help each other out.”

She goes on to say that there is a group of ladies who love to play rummy and have enjoyed a potluck meal with their game.

Elaine Selensky wandered into the center. “I think it is fun to get out of the house,” she said. She keeps busy at home with sewing projects, alterations, and decorating cakes but comes to the senior center to visit.

Loretta Richard enjoys coming to the center, too. “I love being with people,” she smiled.