Smallwood Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Gala Party!
On September 16th, the Donna Smallwood Activities Center and Office on Aging (formerly Parma Senior Center) will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a gala Party and Dance! 2015 marks a half century of providing area seniors 55 and over with lunches, homebound meals, transportation, dozens of fun and informative groups, programs and activities, trips, parties and dances, and activities to promote their health and well-being, in a warm and welcoming “home away from home” Center weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In 1965, Donna Smallwood was part of the Jaycee wives volunteers who started senior citizen activities in the City of Parma -the “Parma 60 Plus Club,” who met at Parma Memorial Hall; in 1968 Donna became the first Director of the Parma Senior Center. Federal funding enabled the City to build their current facility near Parma City Hall, which today bears her name. Through her many years of hard work, dedication to the seniors, and tireless efforts, Donna was the person most responsible for the many senior programs that are in place in Parma today - 50 years later.
The Center’s gala celebration and dance will be held on Wednesday, September 16th, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Woodside, 5025 East Mill Rd. All seniors are welcome to this spectacular event, and will enjoy a delicious lunch, extra-special raffle prizes and surprises, entertainment by “Frank and Dean,” and dancing all afternoon to the music of Wayne Tomsic. Bring a friend, meet old friends, make new ones, and enjoy a fun and memorable day celebrating the Center’s 50th anniversary.
Advance tickets are $25 per person, available at the Smallwood Activities Center, 7001 West Ridgewood Drive in Parma (the first traffic light east off Ridge Rd., up the hill behind Parma City Hall).
Come to the Center any weekday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and see for yourself all of the many programs and activities available to area seniors. Dances are held on the third Wednesday of each month, including lunch, fun, raffle prizes and surprises, great company, and dancing to local area musicians. Visit their website at www.smallwoodcenter.com, pick up a copy of their 32-page monthly newsletter/magazine, “The Center Line,” or call 440-885-8800 for more information.
Judy Martins
Judy Martins. After having worked as an office manager and executive assistant in law firms for 25 years and then in marketing and advertising for 15 years, is now editor of "The Center Line," the monthly 32-page newsletter/magazine for the Donna Smallwood Activities Center (formerly Parma Senior Center) since 2002. In addition, is the director and instructor of the senior vaudeville dancers, Raisin' Canes (since 1999). A Journalism major, does spare-time writing; published many times.