New Senior Center opens to raves

WARWICK-"We love it," said Warwick resident Ed Hodges. "We couldn't be happier." Hodges is an active member of the Warwick Valley Seniors which, until now, met every Wednesday in the basement of the Town Hall. But on Wednesday, June 1, Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton joined Pearl Lendzian, president of the Warwick Valley Seniors, to officially cut the ribbon at the front entrance of the new Senior Center adjacent to the Town Hall on Kings Highway. Sweeton was joined by state and county representatives, along with Warwick Town Council members, the mayors of Warwick and Greenwood Lake and other officials and dignitaries. The well-wishes and readings of letters from officials who could not be present played to a full house of hundreds of club members who came to witness the long-awaited ceremony and enjoy the reception and luncheon that followed. Perhaps the oldest member to attend was Howard Werany, who plans to celebrate his 101st birthday next December. Construction on the new Senior Center began last August and, with the exception of a few final details, was completed this April. The cost of the project was approximately $550,000. Of that amount, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development provided $135,000. To help keep within the budget, individuals and local organizations donated furniture, decorations and other items. Warwick Rotary, for example, provided new chairs and tables costing $4,100. Other contributors included local senior groups, the Warwick Quilters, Generals Garden, Pearl and Henry Lendzian, Dorothy Anderson, Roe Brothers, Town Hall employees and the Warwick Valley High School art class, which will create artwork to help decorate the facility.