ALEXANDRIA – Reminiscing, dancing, a live band, free books, historical exhibits, speakers, rickshaw rides, a food truck, cake, tours and more.
For example, the Alexandria Senior Center celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sunday, August 25. Hundreds of people enjoyed the event, which began with an open house at 3 p.m., giving visitors a glimpse into all the activities taking place at the center.
A large tent was set up in the parking lot where members of the senior center, their guests and other visitors from the community met, talked and socialized.
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Alexandria Mayor Bobbie Osterberg told the crowd the center was another example of why people who once lived in the community and then moved elsewhere keep coming back to Alexandria. “I felt the same way,” she said, adding that the city’s mission statement says the city’s “why” is to “make Alexandria the place you want to live, work and play.”
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Osterberg said the center has had 40 successful years of meetings, events, activities, weekly meals and creating a welcoming place for the community. “All of that takes a lot of hard work,” she noted. “Keep up the good work.”
Another speaker, award-winning author Michael Tisserand, who grew up in Alexandria and lived in New Orleans before recently returning to the area, asked the crowd about what was happening 40 years ago when the center opened: The 1984 movie “Ghost Busters” was a box office hit; Minnesota presidential candidate Walter Mondale lost a sound victory to Ronald Reagan; and the No. 1 hit “When Doves Cry” was released by Minnesota native Prince.
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Douglas County Commissioner Shane Schmidt also spoke at the ceremony. He spoke about the importance of the senior center and seniors in general. He said that seniors age 65 and older make up more than a quarter of the county’s population.
Schmidt noted that the Douglas County Board voted to contribute $43,000 toward the construction of the center. He called the center a win for the entire county.
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
After the speakers finished, the party continued with a live band, the Julie Lee Duo, who played a wide range of styles and got the crowd dancing, from old waltzes and polka to country music, rumba, foxtrot and swing.
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
The Alexandria Senior Center, 414 Hawthorne Street, provides quality of life for adults ages 50 and older in Douglas County. Membership benefits include: a monthly newsletter full of information and activities, an annual members-only meeting, free internet and Wi-Fi, access to services and activities that promote health and wellness, social interaction, community involvement, camaraderie and fun;
and access to an extensive lending library. Small to large rooms can also be rented for conferences or events.
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Popular activities include cards and games, lunch, health and fitness, billiards and classes.
A one-year membership at the center costs $25 for individuals and $40 for couples. For more information, visit www.alexsrctr.org, email [email protected], or visit the center’s Facebook page by searching for Alexandria Senior Center.
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Al Edenloff/Alexandria Echo Press
Al Edenloff is editor of the twice-weekly Echo Press. He began his journalism career in 10th grade, writing football and basketball stories for the Parkers Prairie Independent.
