First Posted: 1/6/2015
EXETER — From small beginnings, the Cosmopolitan Senior Citizens Club has been a part of Exeter for a long time.
The club will reac a milestone this year when it turns 40 under the Project HEAD (Help Experienced Adults Develop) under the Diocese of Scranton.
It is a big deal when a group has been around for that long, but the Cosmopolitan Seniors have more reason to celebrate as they are not funded by any organizations, including Project HEAD.
“We don’t get funded by anyone,” said Johanna Malinowski, 79. “We don’t receive any funds from anybody. The club membership is what keeps it going.”
Johanna said the club gets its money from donations through its members that help fund trips and other events. She also said when the club holds its bi-weekly meetings every month baked goods are donated by members.
“When we have our parties and celebrations like our anniversary dinner, which is a big one, and our Christmas party, which is another big one, the funds that we have go towards the party so the members don’t have to pay a lot of money,” said Johanna. “Plus, we make a donation to St. Barbara’s parish.”
Founded in March 1975, the Cosmopolitan Senior Citizens Club began with only 10 members and held meetings in the basement of St. Cecelia’s Convent. According to Johanna’s husband and current club president Victor Malinowski, 80, it was not long ago that the club had nearly 120 members and a waiting list of those wishing to join.
Today, the club is down to 57 members and holds its meetings at St. Anthony’s Center next to St. Barbara’s parish. The decline in members, however, is not due to lack of interest.
“Now, when they first started out, people in their 50s and 60s were not working as they are now,” said Johanna. “People work into their 50s and 60s now. There are also state- and county-funded centers that people join, too.”
Johanna and Victor have been club members for nearly two decades, with Victor being a member for 18 years and Johanna for 17, but the title for the two longest active members goes to sisters Katherine Haddock, 92, and Marge Zinkavich, 89.
They have been active members for 31 years, joining in 1981. Haddock joined not long after the passing of her husband.
“I joined because I was a widow and I wanted to get around a little bit,” said Haddock. “They were doing plenty of trips cross country from Maine to California, Disneyland, down to Texas, to Georgia, all the places that we were. Any place you name it, we’ve been there. I joined purposely to go on these trips because there’s nothing holding me (back).”
Zinkavich joined alongside her late husband Joe Zinkavich a few months after Haddock, and said she, too, joined for the trips.
“We used to have (my husband’s) aunt living with us,” said Zinkavich. “When she passed away, I said that my kids are grown, his aunt is gone and I’m ready to go. So, I told him I’m ready to go with the club and I asked if he wanted to join and you know how a guy can be. But, the next meeting he was ready (to go on the trips) before I was, so he joined also.”
Thirty-one years and counting, the sisters have been as active as can be with the Cosmopolitan Seniors and intend to be members for more years to come.
“I like everything about (the Cosmopolitan Seniors,)” said Zinkavich. “I don’t miss anything (going on with the club).”
