Director's Message - May 2024

Hope you are enjoying all things Spring!

I am pleased to announce that we have a new executive director designated to lead the senior center beginning this summer. Lisa Blair, our current program director, was selected from a talented group of candidates. Lisa has been on our staff for the past year and is well familiar with day-to-day activities, recruiting and placing volunteers, planning and hosting travel opportunities, managing fundraising events, among a myriad of other duties as assigned. We don’t have the official handoff date yet but hopefully will make that announcement in next month’s Livewire. Thank you to Steve Kaster, board member and Personnel Committee Chair, for a masterful job in conducting the search, interview and selection process.

We recently held a “groundbreaking” event to further our efforts of informing our members and the public about why we are pursuing our building expansion. We had a short ceremony joined by Wenatchee Mayor Mike Poirier and Bonita McLean, our first executive director. Admittedly, we have not broken ground yet, but feel it’s important for everyone to know that we are serious about pursuing this project and plan for the future. We have raised well over $150,000 during our local fundraising campaign toward our goal of $400,000 in matching funds.

Our annual meeting and election is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. The Nominating Committee will continue to accept applications for board membership through Friday, May 17. This year we are accepting nominations for two board positions expiring at the end of June. The 2nd Vice Chair and Director A positions will be voted on. If you are interested in serving in one of these positions and meet the qualifications, please pick up an election packet at the front desk. 

​It’s time for our annual crab feed. One of our largest fundraisers of the year returns on Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m. and tickets ($70) are now available. Stop by the reception desk or call 509-662-7036 to get your tickets. For those of you who have never attended, it is an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast. There will be menu alternatives for those who prefer not to eat crab. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. We will be seating up to 200 guests and will reserve tables for groups of eight on a first come, first served basis. I strongly recommend you get your tickets early as we will sell out quickly. We realize this is the Saturday before Father’s Day, but what a great way to celebrate and take dad (and granddad) out to dinner!

The choral group GladSong will perform at our ice cream social on Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and tickets ($10) are on sale now at the reception desk. Come out and join us for a positive, uplifting afternoon of entertainment. GladSong, a charitable community choir, was organized in 2021 and has helped numerous nonprofits raise funds for their organizations. Members of the Wenatchee High School Random Acts of Kindness Club will help us with the event and serve the ice cream and toppings. They will also share in the proceeds generated from the event.

Applications for the Senior Farmers Market vouchers are available at our reception desk. If you have access to the internet, the preferred way to apply is to go to the Aging and Adult Care of Central Washington (AACCW) website and submit the application there. If you use the application we have available, you will have to fill it out and mail it to the AACCW address on the form. If you wish to have them mail you an application, please contact AACCW directly, or if you have questions, you can reach them at 800-572-4459, ext. 235.

Hope you had a wonderful Apple Blossom!

​~ Dave