The Peterson Memorial Senior Center Sees Improvements

Sidney Senior Citizens are back to using the Peterson Memorial Senior Center after about three weeks worth of renovations by B&B Builders. It all started with a hand washing sink that was needed to bring the building up to code; from there the center got an island with cabinets for storage underneath, new counter tops, a new dishwasher, and the building was also hooked up to city water which was a vast improvement from the well-water they'd been using.

During the upgrades, seniors met at Neil and Joann Williams home to play cards and hold potlucks; there are still flooring and baseboards to be installed, but members are back to their Thursday meetings, where they have a carry-in meal, play cards, and hold a once a month business meeting. Working through the Commission on Aging, the construction was paid for by Richland County.

"The commissioners have always been good to us," said Betty Norby, Senior Center President.

A group of seniors initially met in Sidney in 1969 and formed the Senior Citizens Chapter. For years the group met at various clubs, homes, and for a while in a church building acquired by the Heritage Museum. Then, in Sept. of 1998, Andrew and Emma Peterson, who had been very involved in the Senior Citizens Chapter, donated their home to the Sidney seniors. The home was sold, and the money used to purchase the former Baptist Congregation building at 813 3rd St. NE. The Peterson Memorial Senior Center is open from 1:00pm – 4:00pm on Thursdays and continues to be privately owned by its members.