PITTSTON — It’s been 50 years since the Pittston Senior Citizen Center opened its doors and there’s no sign of slowing down as people associated with it look toward the next 50.
A short program was held Friday morning at the now named Linda Kohut/Pittston Active Adult Center with guest speakers State Rep. Michael Carroll, State Sen. John Yudichak, Pittston City Mayor Michael Lombardo and Harley Bobby, director of Senior Center Services for the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging.
The Linda Kohut/Pittston Active Adult Center boasts a membership of over 1,200 strong.
Director Joan Luksa presented a brief history of the center, starting when the doors opened oOct. 5, 1969.
“We found out from a program at the center where it noted its 48th birthday in 2017,” Luksa said. “We just thought, 50-years – wow! To me, it’s the people; we’ve always said that.”
Luksa was referring to members who have helped and supported the center for 50 years.
“Our members are very young at heart and we are in awe of them,” added Luksa, who took over the directorship 18 months ago. “We really, really are.”
Luksa and assistant director Melody Bartusek strive to keep members active and current with today’s trends.
“The people interact with one another and they just enjoy the company. It’s better than sitting home becoming a couch potato,” member Barbara Shock said. “There’s so many activities here and there’s an activities sheet and a daily list of daily activities like exercises and all types of exercises.”
Shock said members may use the computers, play Wii bowling, utilize a front community room that could be reserved by any member. In addition, there are opportunities to learn ceramics, take dance lessons, play shuffleboard, learn about nutrition and even participate in a group walking class.
Sen. Yudichak congratulated members as well as Luksa and Bartusek for the work they do for seniors in Greater Pittston.
“Pittston is the quality tomato capital of the world; it’s also the capital of the world for quality people,” Yudichak said. “We have a great quality of life in northeastern Pennsylvania and Greater Pittston and it’s all about quality of people and quality of life.”
“Fifty years of any organization is certainly a milestone achievement and an entity like this, that serves an important part of our populations, kudos to the staff and the center,” Mayor Lombardo said. “It’s clear that this center, you can tell by the turnout, really supports the adult population of our city. It’s just great to have them here.”
The Linda Kohut/Pittston Active Adult Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with lunch served promptly at noon for a $2 donation.
Anyone interested in joining the adult center may call Joan Luksa at 570-655-5561. Members must be at least 60 years of age.
