EVANSTON — A warm welcome was extended to all who had the pleasure of attending the Uinta Senior Center’s open house on Sept. 6 in Evanston.  Director Aimee Ottley greeted visitors as they arrived and invited them to enjoy the meal and cake provided for all. Approximately 50 people — including city council members, police officers, board members, senior citizens and local business representatives — attended the celebration.

Ottley formally introduced her staff and asked each to explain what their program provides.  

She began with an introduction of Amber Minton, her new administrative assistant. Because federal and state grants only make up 65-75 percent of the center’s budget, fundraising is essential. Minton will assist with fundraising and will also produce the center’s newsletter.

Cathy Frame, LPN, gave information on the home health and therapy program she is in charge of and the activities she provides clients in their homes. She encourages and teaches them to do simple exercises and crafts.

Pamela Ward provides Medicare and Medicaid services through a federal program which includes home services designed to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible. She is in charge of the national family caregiver and adult day care programs as well.

Cathy Wiggins is the activity director. She organizes and directs a full slate of activities at the center.  Some examples include chair yoga, billiards, ceramics, trivia, bingo, a variety of card games, chair weights and pot-luck suppers. Wiggins had several handouts that demonstrated with graphs how participation in the senior center activities has increased in the last year.

In 2017, the number of participants in the exercise programs was 484 and from January to August of this year, that number has almost doubled with 889 participants. Monthly participation has also more than doubled. The social activities program (games and crafts, etc.) has grown from 672 in January to 921 participants in August. Wiggins’ enthusiasm for her position is reflected in the seniors eager to join in her activities.

Larissa Sneider handles the paperwork for the Meals on Wheels program and for the senior bus. She also maintains the vehicles and is a driver when needed.

Ottley went on to thank everyone for coming and for the board members who are working with her to improve the lives of senior citizens.  The six members of the board are Sue Norman, Casey Davis, Maureen Samuelson, Laurie Bateman, Cara McDaniel and Glenna Calmes. Ottley praised all of them for their dedication and hard work.

“We are moving onward and upward and beyond what happened; it is not our future, it is in the past,” Ottley said, referring to criminal charges against former director Sarah Blakeman. “Cathy Wiggins is my checks and balances. Also, the state has made it nearly impossible for what happened, to ever happen again.”

Ottley went on to give statistics for the meals program at the center. The center serves 15-20 in-house breakfasts daily; 40-50 breakfasts are delivered by Meals on Wheels; in-house lunches average 40-60 daily; Meals on Wheels delivers 60-100 lunches daily and 250 weekend frozen meals are delivered.  From Oct. 1, 2016, to Sept. 30, 2017, 53,479 meals were served. Statistics for 2018 are not currently available. 

Ottley emphasized that more volunteer drivers are needed for the Meals on Wheels program.

“It is a service that is so important for the seniors who receive it,” she said, “and the person who delivers their meals might be the only person they ever see that day.”  

The Uinta Senior Citizens, Inc. mission statement reads as follows: “Providing services that support and help the ability of elderly persons to live more stable, independent and fulfilling lives in the community.”  

Ottley and her staff appear to be prepared to fulfill that mission as evidenced by the increased numbers of seniors participating in the programs at the center.