Northern Broome Senior Center

History

In 1974, Florence Craft had a vision for a nutrition program in Whitney Point, NY.  With the support of local seniors, Florence served soup and sandwiches to those that attended.  The center was open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  It was located in the Grace Episcopal Parish House.  On-site cooking began with Florence Craft, and Bernice Cargin joined her.  Many volunteers helped in the kitchen and in the dining room.  Reservations were needed, due to the number of people attending.  In the early 1980’s, the senior center became affiliated with Broome County and was sponsored by the Broome County Office for the Aging.  Food was then prepared off-site by the county’s Central Kitchen, so a great amount of meals were able to be served.  When the center first opened its doors, the meals were 35 cents to 50 cents. 

Site Supervisors were Florence Craft, Tommy Durham, Christine Widdall and Leslie Hiemstra.  Leslie Hiemstra was the Site Supervisor in February of 2003, when the seniors of Northern Broome moved into their new facility.  With the new facility and the up-dated kitchen, even more meals and more activities were available to the seniors of our community.

Today the meals are supplied by Sodexo, and some cooking is done on-site.  The current suggested price of $3.50 still supplies our senior community with a valued and nutritious meal.  The center is open for anyone, of any age, to come and receive such a meal.  Those that are under 60 pay $4.50 A soup and salad bar was introduced in 2001.  We also currently offer breakfast for lunch on Thursdays, and Pub Burgers on Fridays.

The center also has evening meals all year-round to the residents of our community. The evening meal is offered two Tuesdays each month.  No matter what time of year, the evening meals are delicious and nutritious.  In addition to the meal, seniors are entertained by local vocal artists and musicians.  Many are requested back time and time again by the audience, a clear indicator of how much fun it is to spend an evening here at the center. 

Volunteers are vital to the program at the senior center and many possibilities exist for those interested in volunteering.  Make a difference in your community and volunteer.

We hope you will visit your senior center soon.  Please feel free to call 607-692-3405 for more information or to reserve a hot meal!!  WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU!

Our Previous Site Supervisor, Desirae Peterson has worked at the center since 2000. She started out as the Site Supervisor for the Meals on Wheels Program, and then moving on to the Site Supervisor for the Center. Desirae is a life-long resident of Whitney Point, and has strong roots in the community. She brings a happy, fun environment to the center. Desirae’s goal for the center is the continued growth and its presence in the community.

Heather Bush is our current Site Supervisor. She hopes to bring fresh new ideas to the center. Her friendly, happy personality brings joy to all of those around her. Heather's goal is to be able to incorporate all the activities and programs back into the center since Covid restrictions are being lifted. She looks forward to establishing new programs and activities and welcomes ideas from the communiity.

We also have a Face Book Page – Northern Broome Senior Community Center – so check it out!

Updated 5/7/2019