ACTIVITY CENTER — Patrons and staff at the Brooke County Senior Center beat their hearts out to the beat of drums and makeshift drums made with balls and larger rubber buckets. It’s a recent addition to the assorted activities operated by the center at 948 Main St. in Follansbee. — Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Visitors to the Brooke County Senior Center will often find a lot going on.

It might be a group of senior citizens beating a drum on large rubber balls under the guidance of a videotaped instructor — one of the newer activities offered at the center — or the staff behind the senior nutrition program preparing lunch.

Monday through Friday, staff from the Brooke County Committee on Aging, which oversees the senior center at 948 Main St., is involved in providing food and other services to area seniors and making sure senior citizens have something fun to do. made.

Sandy Kemp, the committee’s executive director, noted that bingo is played from noon to 3 p.m. most Wednesdays and Fridays, while people can often be found playing cards and other games there during the week.

She added that members of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees meet there on Wednesday mornings to play euchre and invite others to join them.

Sandy Jablonski, a former Follansbee resident, was among the many who donned a costume for the Brooke County Senior Center’s recent Halloween party. Among the many seniors who joined Jablonski for several rounds of bingo were Wellsburg residents Jean Hilt and Carolyn Wilson, seated to her left. — Warren Scott

Added this summer, drumming is offered from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Kemp said whether participants are standing or sitting, they get their heart pumping.

“It’s a very good exercise” she said. “You’re really working your upper body.”

Kemp said from noon to 3 p.m. on the last Monday of every month, the center offers Fun Day, which includes games like cornhole, darts and Bunco.

“Whatever One Wills to Do” she noted.

Weirton residents participating in the bingo games were, from left, Debbie Weinheimer and Kathy Zylo. — Warren Scott

A key part of the senior center’s program is the free lunch it offers to citizens 60 and older at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

The lunches are part of the Brooke-Hancock Senior Nutrition Program, which provides lunches to seniors at the Greater Weirton Senior Center and Freedom Place Apartments in Weirton at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Through the program, hundreds of meals are delivered to homebound seniors in Brooke and Hancock counties.

Meal arrangements for homebound seniors can be made by calling (304) 527-3410, Ext. 3. The same number should be used by those who intend to receive a meal at one of the three nutrition sites.

The program is supported by funds through the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and the Brooke and Hancock County Commissions.

Kemp said the program not only provides seniors with a hot and nutritious meal, but also an opportunity to talk and meet others.

“We really encourage them to come and eat and socialize,” she said, adding that lunch attendance ranges from 35 to 40 people and is normally larger when an activity follows.

Kemp said the senior center is occasionally visited by representatives of various organizations who share information relevant to seniors or perform various health checks.

For example, blood pressure checks are from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. most Wednesdays, while the Brooke County Health Department recently offered flu shots.

Kemp noted there are plans to create a green space with picnic benches and lighting in a vacant lot near the center.

The Brooke County Commission purchased and demolished a building on the lot and is pursuing public and private grants for the area.

The site is being sought for additional parking spaces, including one for disabled visitors.

The location would be far from the current lot, which sits along a busy stretch of Main Street.

The lot would complement the existing one behind the center, officials said.

But the Brooke County Committee on Aging isn’t just about getting people to the senior center.

It provides transportation from downtown to places they need or would like to go, Kemp said.

“We are very busy with shipping” she explained.

Kemp said the center has six vans, including one that is wheelchair accessible.

Drivers are assigned for trips to Veterans Affairs medical facilities in Pittsburgh Monday through Friday and in St. Clairsville on Thursday.

The vans are available to transport seniors 60 and older to medical appointments, including dialysis throughout the week and monthly shopping trips to the Steubenville Wal-Mart and Fort Steuben Mall.

“We ask them to call at least two weeks in advance if they need transportation,” Kemp said.

To arrange transportation, seniors should call no. 2 to the number above.

Kemp added that some employees of the Brooke County Committee on Aging are busy providing home care services to seniors with health-related needs.

She said the workers help seniors stay in their homes by doing light maintenance, helping them with personal care and performing other tasks.

People served by the program include residents eligible for Medicaid, a Medicaid waiver or veterans benefits, and others who pay on a sliding scale based on their income.

Kemp noted that the Committee on Aging hires people for the program’s non-medical workers, who undergo a criminal background check and first aid and other training before being assigned.

Through its partnership with the Brooke-Hancock-Ohio-Marshall Retirement and Seniors Program, the Brooke County Committee on Aging provides opportunities for seniors to serve others.

Carolyn Matteson, local RSVP director, said about 185 residents in the four counties volunteer their time through the program at 37 locations, including the Hancock County Senior Center, Greater Weirton Senior Center and local offices of Catholic Charities USA.

Matteson said the tasks they performed included filling backpacks with non-perishable food for local students, making phone calls to check on elderly people who are at home and knitting robes for nursing homes or homeless shelters.

She said military veterans are needed right now to join the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad in presenting military honors at the funerals of fellow deceased veterans.

RSVP participants may be 55 years of age or older. Those interested can learn more by calling (304) 374-9720.

Matteson noted that participants are invited to attend dinners held in their honor, one for Brooke and Hancock counties and one for Ohio and Marshall counties.

Kemp said two popular events held by the Committee on Aging for all seniors are a summer picnic at Brooke Hills Park and a Christmas party held at the Brooke County Center.

The latter is set for 7pm to 7.30pm on December 19 and will include a light meal and music by Twice As Nice.

Reservations for the event should be made by Dec. 10 by calling the senior center.

The center and its activities have received positive reviews from its regulars.

Karen Ferrence of Follansbee said: “When I retired last year I thought, what am I going to do now?

“I like (the center). You can see people.”

Kay Nichols of Wellsburg said: “I like the fellowship. Everyone is friendly and nice. You meet new people and the exercise is good for you.”

Nichols admitted she was reluctant to come to the center at first, but was persuaded by a friend.

“I didn’t think I would like it and I do. You have to give it a chance” she said.

Diane Scott of Wellsburg said: “It’s so much fun and people are having so much fun, you want to bring your friends to be a part of it.”

“And the food is good, too,” she added.