AMHERST — Even though the broken elevator at the Bangs Community Center could be repaired by mid to late November, an annual Thanksgiving meal at the Amherst Senior Center has been canceled.
Senior Center Director Nancy Pagano, who has put on the Thanksgiving Day meal on for 40 years, said she is not taking a chance that the elevator will be fixed in time to transport the turkeys and other supplies throughout the building.
“Estimates vary widely about how long the repair will take, several weeks to several months,” Pagano said. “No one can be definitive about how it will go and what complications may appear in this old building when the work is finally scheduled and underway.”
Ronald Bohonowicz, facilities supervisor for the town and schools, told the Council on Aging last week that the elevator, which sustained a damaged hydraulic jack during a state-mandated inspection in September, may only be out of service for four to six weeks.
Pagano said letting the community know that the meal is off will allow those who depend on it to find alternatives for a turkey dinner that day.
The Not Bread Alone soup kitchen will serve its Thanksgiving meal at the First Congregational Church, 165 Main St.
The day before, a Thanksgiving meal prepared by Highland Valley Elder Services will be served at the Bangs Center, with guests asked to make a reservation through the lunch program director by calling 259-3164.
The Amherst Survival Center will also have a Thanksgiving meal Nov. 23.
Pagano said she hopes she can bring the Thanksgiving meal back in 2017, observing that $30,000 in improvements are scheduled for the kitchen.
“(The) good news is that by next year we expect to have a better kitchen to work with here which will make it easier and safer for preparing this enormous meal,” Pagano said.
While Pagano appreciates those who have offered space for the meal, including Ann Whalen Apartments and Valley Medical Center, as well as volunteers with the Community Emergency Response Team, moving equipment, several huge turkeys and other food, and finding a place that with several refrigerators and stoves, is not easy.
Keeping it at the Bangs Center is also important for the comfort and familiarity it offers, Pagano said, a sort of “home away from home” for senior citizens.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
