After spending several years located in a classroom of the R.H. Conwell School, the Worthington Council on Aging has found a new home, one made specifically for them in building that houses the Corners Grocery.
“We are very excited because this is the first time that we have ever had our own space,” said COA Coordinator Sandy Epperly. “It is so bright and it is at least equal to the office space that we had before, it may even be a little extra room.”
While the arrangement with private RH Conwell had been suitable, after it returned to operating as the Town’s public school, enrollment began to increase and eventually the classroom space was needed for the students.
“It is nice to say that this is our own,” Epperly said.
Epperly said that the owners of Corners Grocery were originally going to use the space for a café but the plan never materialized. That part of the building has now been built out as an office and small gathering space for the COA.
The new space has a private entrance that can be accessed at the rear of the building.
While it may be bigger than their office at the Conwell School, the down side is that it is not big enough to accommodate the approximately 40 people that regularly attend the popular potlucks. These used to be held in the common area/cafeteria of the school.
The space may be used as a meal site once a week, which does not draw the same number of people.
Now the COA will have to make arrangements with other groups that have the ability to accommodate their needs.
Epperly said that there will be a potluck at the Worthington Rod and Gun Club in October, and the November event will be held at the Town’s Historical Society.
“People are going to have to be a little flexible. I think that this is a good time for change,” she said, adding that the board is also looking to bring on new programming.
To give the town an idea of the services and opportunities that are available through the COA, there will be an open house on Saturday, September 22, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served and there will be representatives of several different outside agencies that work with the COA for the benefit of the town’s elders.
“We have tremendous resources available, we are like an unknown gem,” Epperly said, adding that the information and services they provide are pertinent not just to elders, but to people with friends and relatives who may benefit from elder services.
According to Epperly, 40 percent of the town is 60 or older.
“I think here in Worthington we do a good job caring for our elder people,” Epperly said.
CUMMINGTON — On Saturday, August 25, and Sunday, August 26, the Enchanted Circle Theater in collaboration with The Trustees at the William Cullen Bryant Homestead will present a unique living history performance tour called “A Fiery & Still Voice.”
In this play about love, passion and social justice, past and present come together as the history of the homestead and Bryant’s life are revealed.
Set in 1866, A Fiery & Still Voice offers an intimate portrait of the man behind the poet, and dives deeper into the multidimensional character and personality of this notable individual.
Show times are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and tickets can be reserved on line at www.thetrustees.org.
The Homestead is located at 207 Bryant Road.
WILLIAMSBURG — An open public forum featuring the seven Democratic candidates for state representative of the First Franklin District will be held on Monday night at the Anne T. Dunphy School from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
All seven of the candidates for the seat being vacated by 25-year incumbent Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, will be at the forum. They are: Kate Albright-Hanna of Huntington, Natalie Blais of Sunderland, Christine Doktor of Cummington, Jonathan Edwards of Whately, Casey Pease of Worthington, Nathaniel Waring of Sunderland and Francia Wisnewski of Montague.
This is a great opportunity to hear the candidates speak and get questions that you may have answered.
This event is sponsored by the Williamsburg Democratic Committee.
The state primary will be held on September 4.
Ideas for this column on life in the hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.