Hopkinton News : slusser center

Hopkinton Senior Center can be rented after hours

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:57:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton selectmen agreed on a policy for renting out the Slusser Senior Center, a method that could potentially earn money for the building’s operating costs.

During a Monday, Feb. 3, Board of Selectmen meeting, board members decided that from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the building will remain a senior center, but after hours and on holidays it can be rented out to the general public.

“That’s been a thorny issue because there are some in town that think it should be available to the general public. That’s not the idea that the donor gave. It needs to be a senior center,” said Selectman George Langwasser.

“It’s not a community center as some people would want to designate it. On the other hand, it’s a public building and should be available to the public.”

The approved plan was one presented to the selectmen by recreation director Justin La Vigne.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said La Vigne. “I think it’s great for the community. I’m glad the selectmen agree that it should be a drop-in senior center first.”

A warrant article still being developed would ask voters to approve the creation of a revolving fund to deposit the rental fees into.

“The revolving fund will hopefully build up to a point where certain portions of the operating expenses can be taken out of there,” said Langwasser. “To create that, it has to be approved by the town.”

Although La Vigne said it will be good to have the money going toward the Slusser Center, he said that isn’t the only reason for the resolution.

“We’ll have to see after a year or two how much money comes in,” said La Vigne. “It isn’t about the money, it’s about utilizing the building for the community.”

Debate in town has centered on the building and whether it should be used as a general community building or remain a senior center.

Langwasser and La Vigne both said this plan is a good way to keep the building as a senior center, but also have the entire community be able to use it.

“When there’s a conflict, the seniors win out because it is a senior center,” said Langwasser. “On the other side of the coin, to have a building sitting there that could be rented out when the seniors aren’t there, this accommodates that.”

Also at the selectmen meeting, board members discussed proposed warrant articles that could ask the town to approve the sale of Columbia Hall.

“At this point we haven’t had a real good debate about that to decide how that will be written,” said Langwasser. “We want to decide what to do with it, whether to fix it up or sell it. It can’t just sit there and deteriorate, it is a town asset.”

Another warrant article discussed would, if passed, mean all residents would be required to pay for ambulance services, even uninsured residents.

“Traditionally, in the town of Hopkinton, if someone does not have insurance, the town does not charge the individual for transportation,” Langwasser said.

Call from Santa

Goffstown Editor — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:34:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Santa’s coming to town, but first, he’s calling to check in.

The Hopkinton Recreation Department is sponsoring a new Santa calling program, as Recreation Director Justin La Vigne continues to expand the town’s holiday season schedule.

Parents can pick up forms at the Slusser Senior Center, Town Hall and library or download them from the town’s Web site and fill them out to have Santa call their children on Thursday, Dec. 18, with a special message.

“They fill out a form about their child and we gather volunteers and call the children,” said La Vigne. “We’ll have workshop noises in the background and everything.”

La Vigne said the idea came from a previous job, where he found that it had great success. “It went over pretty big, although I came from a much bigger population. We had anywhere from 500 to 800 kids to call,” said La Vigne. “I don’t expect that, but it’d be great if we could get 50 or so. It’s all about getting the word out that it’s fun, free, and it gives the kids something to remember.”

In addition to the Santa calling program, La Vigne has organized the holiday lighting competition for a second straight year, and hopes to expand it. Winners for the contest will be chosen Wednesday, Dec. 10, so they must be decorated and entered in the contest by Monday, Dec. 8, by 5 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, residents can enjoy a hot breakfast at the Slusser Senior Center as well as a visit with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. for a cost of $3.

Proceeds from the event will go toward Operation Christmas, which is organized by the Human Services department.

La Vigne said the events are key in bringing residents together during the holiday season. “It’s very important to involve the community for all different ages,” said La Vigne. “It helps if the families are out decorating their house and get some friendly competition going in the neighborhood. It’s a fun way to get to know each other.”

Though the events are enjoyable to organize, La Vigne said there is also a lot that goes into the planning.

“It’s fun, but it’s a ton of work too. I am really glad that I have the recreation committee because they help me out a lot,” said La Vigne.

Hopkinton's Slusser Center offers seniors special treatment

Bow Editor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:28:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Once burnt to the ground by mschooley@yourneighborhoodnews.com an arsonist, the Slusser Senior Center has sparked the interest of the Hopkinton community, and is prepared to celebrate its one-year anniversary.

The seven-member Senior Recreation Committee – Gloria Symonds, Allita Paine, Joanne Woodward, Don Lane, Lillian Landry, Janet Krzyzaniak, Marilyn Ceriello Bresaw and Board of Selectmen representative George Langwasser – was created about three months ago to plan programs and decide in which the direction the center should go forward.

Krzyzaniak, chairman of the group, has lived in town since 1947 and said she wants to serve the community she grew up in.

“I lived in this community a long time, and have wanted to be involved and pay back the community,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to know we have almost passed the year anniversary after so much controversy was happening.”

On Saturday, Nov. 8, there will be a one-year anniversary party at the center with music and refreshments, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Don Lane, a member of the Senior Recreations Committee and a former selectman, said it’s impressive to see how far the building has come.

“There were a lot of problems when we first started, and there were certain factions that were so negative that it riled someone up so much they burnt it down,” Lane said. “That was an unfortunate beginning. In some respects, it caused us to be more determined to see this thing through.”

The committee had its first meeting in October after Recreation Director Justin La Vigne spent several months during the summer organizing it and trying to get community interest.

“I have a recreation committee, but we talked it over with them and decided it was best to have a separate committee dedicated to senior needs,” said La Vigne. “It was important to have this because there are more and more seniors these days.”

Lane said the center has done a good job of addressing the increasing number of senior citizens in Hopkinton.

“The key thing is that what the building has brought to the community is an appreciation and an effort on the part of the town to address the fastest growing segment of our population, people over 50,” he said. “Instead of people growing old and running out of things to do, running out of friends, the Slusser Center brings to the town a place to go.”

Found at the Slusser Senior Center are programs such as line dances, yoga and meals, as well as programs geared toward the safety of the town’s elder generation.

“You can meet new friends and find plenty of opportunities to find a place to keep your mind fresh as well as your body,” said Lane.

Krzyzaniak said in the upcoming years, she hopes the activities will continue to blossom, thanks to the help of the Senior Recreation Committee.

“The committee would like to expand the existing programs and offer as many social activities as possible,” said Krzyzaniak.

Slusser Senior Center hosts a variety of activities.
• Every Wednesday seniors can enjoy a home-cooked lunch at noon. Suggested donation per person is $4.
• Chair yoga, Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m. Beginners welcomed.
• Line dancing, Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 9:30 a.m.
• Needlework group, Thursday at 10 a.m.
• Play Bridge Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., all levels welcome.
• Senior fitness class, Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., and strength exercises, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.
• Bingo is on Friday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m.; and Friday, Nov. 14, a tea social and birthday party at 2 p.m. The Slusser Senior Center will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Gene and Anne Slusser, of Hopkinton, donate $1 million to Concord VNA

Bow Editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:46:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Gene Slusser wanted to make sure he said, “Thank you,” to those who have helped care for his wife, and he said it in a big way.

Slusser, whose donation made building Hopkinton’s Slusser Senior Center possible, recently donated $1 million to the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association.

Slusser’s wife, Anne, is battling dementia and the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and the visiting nurses have helped her live comfortably at home.

“The fact that they are supplying us help at the house for my wife (is why the donation was made),” said Gene Slusser. “I didn’t want to put her in one of the hospitals, and with their help, she’s here.”

The donation will be spread to a number of areas, including $100,000 to develop two scholarship funds – one for Hopkinton High School graduates who are interested in studying science, math or health, and the other scholarship for the visiting nurses staff members to continue their education.

In addition to the scholarships, Slusser’s donation will also help the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association move into a new building, as $500,000 will help purchase the building and $400,000 for furnishings.

“We were stunned and very pleased by the donation,” said Eileen Male of the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association. “With this gift, we’ll be able to get state-of-the-art information technology equipment, and that’s very important. It helps us keep up with everything that’s going on with home care.”

According to Male, one of the rooms the donation will help furnish is a high-tech training room for the nurses, including computers, projectors and TVs.

“That was my idea. I told them what to use it for. I knew they needed money for their furnishings,” said Gene Slusser. “They’ve been wonderful. They come to my house and help me with taking care of Anne. It’s a first-class operation.”

Slusser said he wanted to make sure the donation helped benefit his hometown as well as others in the area, which is why he wanted to incorporate the Hopkinton High School scholarships.

“My idea was that some of the money should go back to our town, and to our town kids,” he said.

According to Male, having his wife at home with him has been something extremely important to Slusser.

“She has been in our care for some time, and I think they’ve come to depend on our care,” said Male. “Mr. Slusser depends on us to have his wife be able to stay at home, and that’s what means everything to him, to be able to still have that time with her.”

Both sides are excited about the large gift.

“I think they’re pleased they could give us such a gift, and we are totally pleased,” said Male. Slusser said he was glad to see the CRVNA’s reaction to his gift.

“They were excited, very happy and pleased to hear about it. It will facilitate getting their new building furnished and other opportunities for them,” said Slusser. “It’s money they didn’t really have and they now have.”

Live together

The Slussers first met during an air raid drill in 1942 when they ran into each other in the hallway at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Gene Slusser was working at the time.

The couple moved to Hopkinton in 1954 and he founded Aerotronic Associates in 1958, a company that made equipment to test semi-conductors.

Slusser’s business was making about $18 million a year when he sold it and retired in 1984. The couple then spent their free time flying in their private plane. Gene Slusser has had a passion for flying since he first flew at the age of 15, and he still enjoys his plane.

Hopkinton's Slusser Center begins to feel like home

Bow Editor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:17:00 GMT

BY KRISTEN SENZ

Having risen from the ashes of a blatant arson fire set early last year, the Slusser Senior Center in Hopkinton is now almost complete.

“We anticipate that the downstairs will be open in mid- April,” said Justin La Vigne, the town’s recreation director.

The new center’s upper floor has been open for a few months, providing a venue for senior dinners, tea parties, dance classes, knitting groups and other gatherings.

The recent arrival of an elevator marked the final chapter of the construction project. Once it’s installed, the building will be fully accessible, opening up a dedicated fitness room, a game room, a conference room and space for the Hopkinton Food Pantry in the lower level.

When the building is finished, it will be a place for seniors and town groups to socialize and exercise, and a showcase for the goodwill and community spirit that exists in Hopkinton.

“Everything you see in this building is donated,” LaVigne said.

As you enter the second floor of the senior center through the main entrance, it’s hard to miss the majestic wood and marble fireplace in the living room. Artist Byron Carr of Contoocook donated the wood and marble for the fireplace. Danny Coen helped cut the marble for the inlays and Merle Dustin donated the fireplace. Office chairs will provide temporary furnishings in the living room until later this month, when a $15,000 donation from the Hopkinton Women’s Club will help adorn the room with cozy couches, chairs and loveseats.

“We have some gentlemen who come in and play cards in here every once in a while,” La Vigne said. “It’s just a nice place to gather and socialize.”

Off to the left is the Dial-A-Ride office, where seniors can request and schedule transportation for grocery shopping, doctor appointments or other errands.

Anne Slusser, who along with her husband, Eugene, donated $1 million for the construction of the center, started the Dial- A-Ride program in Hopkinton some 30 years ago, La Vigne said.

Beyond the living room, a fully equipped kitchen, fit for feeding a crowd of 80, connects to an airy multipurpose room with windows on three sides.

Monday morning, Hopkinton native Mary Wilkens was filling in as the teacher of the beginners line dancing class in the multi-purpose room.

“I’ve signed up for every class they have here,” Wilkens said, listing off activities like chair yoga, paper cutting, card making, needlework and aerobics. She also attends the weekly senior dinners, and the tea parties.

“I absolutely love the tea parties,” she said. “We get all fancied up with our gloves up to here and our skirts and dresses. We look great.”

Outside the multi-purpose room, a deck provides a view of the mountains in the distance.

“I guess that’s why they picked this location,” LaVigne said. “Gene Slusser really wanted the dining room to face that way.”

The center wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the original $1 million gift the Slussers gave the town in the spring 2006. Combined with an additional $400,000 in private donations, the money paid for the construction of the senior center, without using taxpayer dollars, though town funds will pay for its operation.

Don Lane, who had served as selectman at the time, led the committee that designed the building and oversaw its construction — twice.

On Jan. 15, 2007, fire was intentionally set to the then half- built center, leaving behind only the foundation and a spraypainted message that read, “Not with my tax $.”

“I think they were motivated by the enormous amount of misinformation that was being put out at the time” about the funding for the center, Lane said.

The town’s insurance policy covered the damages and construction pushed onward. No arrests have been made, and the investigation into the fire remains open, Interim Town Administrator Robert Veloski said, and evidence has been sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for analysis.

“I think the police know who did it, they just don’t have enough proof yet,” Lane said.

Meanwhile, La Vigne is setting up a seven-member Senior Recreation Committee to advise him on the operation and programs, which will expand once the first floor opens.

Lane said the senior center adds new social and cultural dimensions to the town of Hopkinton, where more than a third of the population is at least 50 years old.

“After just a few months, it’s already a very integral part of our whole social fabric here in Hopkinton and will only become more so as time goes by,” he said.