Tag Archives: Alison Boga

Dunmore Senior Center Looking for Volunteers

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volunteers-neededThe Dunmore Senior Center, located at 1414 Monroe Avenue in Dunmore, is looking for volunteers.

A bingo caller is needed to volunteer Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m, to 11 a.m. Kitchen help volunteers are needed daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

If interested, please stop by the Dunmore Senior Center or call 570-207-2662.

Alison Boga is executive director of the Dunmore Senior Center.

“If there is a particular speaker or activity that anyone would like to see offered at the Center please let us know,” Boga said.

Boga said the Dunmore Senior Center winter closure policy is thus:

If the Dunmore School District is closed, the Dunmore Senior Center will also be closed. If the Dunmore School District is running on a delay, the Dunmore Senior Center will be open on a delayed opening schedule (9:30 a.m.).

The Dunmore Senior Center was closed December 24, 25, 26, 31, 2018 and will be closed January 1, 2019.

Congratulations to Sue Moore, the winner of the Center’s Pasta Dinner 50/50 raffle.

The Dunmore Senior Center held its annual Christmas party Thursday, December 13, at Cooper’s Seafood House, Scranton. Entertainment was provided by Janice Gambo. A buffet meal was served to those who attended the event. Haddock Parmesan, seafood lobster bisque soup, Caesar salad, penne pasta with meatballs and marinara sauce, potatoes au gratin and strawberry shortcake trifle was served.

Other activities at the Dunmore Senior Center last month included bingo, knitting, social dancing, sketching and oil painting, tree decorating, crochet and fiber Art, gentle yoga for health, Stretching with Gretchen, Tai Chi, Pinochle after Lunch, Silver Flow Yoga, Mahjong, VNA blood pressure screening, AARP Fraud and Scams discussion, “The Grinch” movie, Name that Tune with Traditional Health Care, Honor our Vets, United Health Care games, Legendary Support, pizza party with the movie – “A Christmas Story,” the “Home Alone” movie, birthday and New Year’s Eve party, Smart Tech classes and Lackawanna County Winter Driving Awareness.

The Dunmore Senior Center is a non-profit agency supported in part through the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, the Dunmore borough and through the fundraising efforts of the Senior Site Council and the Board of Directors.

Fred Battaglia is Site Council president. Carmella Iannetta is Site Council vice president.

Shirley Martinelli is secretary of the Dunmore Senior Center. Carl Gammaitoni is treasurer. Kay Harris is Sunshine reporter.

Meals for lunch are served at the Dunmore Senior Center Monday through Friday. All meal orders are called in at 12:30 p.m. the day before. For reservations call 570-207-2662, extension 1. All meals are catered by Metz food service.

“We all wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year,” said Boga.

Dunmore Senior Center Membership Dues Forms are Available

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By Steve Svetovich

Alison Boga, executive director of the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe for Seniors, said the 2017/2018 membership dues forms are now available.

Individual membership is $10 or $15 for couples.

Membership can be used for discounts on fee based activities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Ballroom Dancing and Oil Painting. It can also be used for upcoming bus trips and seminars.

Members pay $5 for $8 classes and $3 for $5 classes. Members also receive mailed newsletters and discounts on special activities, including bus trips.

All proceeds from membership dues are used for projects and expenditures approved by the Senior Site Council.

Members or the general public can visit dunmoreseniorcenter.org for menus and activity calendars, or call the Center at 570-207-2662.

The Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe for Seniors celebrated National Safety Month this past June. Tips were provided for safe outdoor dining and how to recognize different heat related illnesses.

Boga said volunteers are needed at the Center. The volunteers are needed for clerical, kitchen duty and lunch. If interested in becoming a volunteer, said Boga, please stop by at the Center (1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore) or call (570-207-2662).

“We want to hear from you,” said Boga. “We are always looking for ways to improve the programming provided. If there is a particular speaker or activity that someone would like to see offered at the Center please let us know.”

Boga said the Senior Garden is coming along very well. “The Headstart program children planted vegetables in the garden as well. The garden is funded by the Department of Aging. We owe a great debt and gratitude to the garden designer, Lydia Bagdonas, for her creativity and perseverance.”

A free event, “Eating Local and Organic,” was held last July 19 at the Center.

Other programs at the Dunmore Activity Hub include bingo, learn to knit, ballroom dancing, sketching and oil painting, gentle yoga for health, Tai Chi, pinochle, Stretching with Gretchen, silver flow yoga, walking club, VNA blood pressure screening, gardening club, essential oils with Mother Willow, eat right nutrition tips, site council meetings, gardening club meetings, nutrition days, farmer’s market voucher day, elder law seminars by Atty. Dan Lucas and Ronald McDonald House volunteer opportunities.

The Dunmore Activity Hub food menu is catered by Metz Food Service. A variety of nutritious lunch choices are provided five days a week.

Fred Battaglia is Site Council president for the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe for Seniors.

 

 

Dunmorean of the Month: Alison Boga

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dunmorean-of-the-month-alison-bogaBy Steve Svetovich

Alison Boga has always had an affection for senior citizens.

So it is not surprising when she accepted the position of executive director at the Dunmore Senior Center, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore, this past December.

And the transition has been an easy one.

Daughter of Alice and the late William Boga, Alison succeeded long time Dunmore Senior Center executive director Jeanne Hugenbruch.

Boga worked under the highly respected Hugenbruch as activities coordinator at the Dunmore Senior Center from 2002 to 2007. She was an active volunteer at the Dunmore Senior Center until her recent appointment as executive director.

Boga, who graduated from West Scranton High School and attended Penn State University, has always found it rewarding working with senior citizens.

She worked as administrator of Amos Towers, Scranton, from 1995 to 2002.

“I have always gravitated towards senior citizens,” she said. “They are a lot of fun. I love to hear their stories and about what they did when they were young.”

Boga, who was a member of the marching band and orchestra in high school, worked as a financial assistant administrator for the Girl Scouts of America from 2007 through 2016 until her recent appointment.

She sees both old and new faces at the Dunmore Senior Center, also known as the Dunmore Activity Hub. “It is fun to be back here. A lot of people, sadly, are no longer with us. However, I do see a lot of familiar faces. I do love the new people and already feel like I formed a bond with them. It’s nice.”

The new executive director said she has many hobbies, including reading, gardening, the environment and running. She completed three straight Steamtown Marathons from 1999-2001. She also participated in numerous 5K runs.

She was co-chairperson of Scranton’s First Night in 2007. She ran the Senior Bingo in the second annual First Night and was an active volunteer from that point until the final First Night in 2016.

Boga was selected as Northeast Woman in November 2008.

She is looking forward to upcoming events at the Dunmore Senior Center, including the second annual Weekend of Arts Festival to be held October 13-14. The big event will be preceded by Purse Bingo October 1.

Another big event, said Boga, is the annual Pasta Dinner, May 11.

“The Weekend of Arts Festival was very successful last year and we are looking forward to it again.”

She is also looking forward to Summer Demo Days at the Dunmore Senior Center. “Members can try a number of different classes for free. They can try classes like Tai Chi or Oil Painting. There will be many options.”

She talked about the future of the Dunmore Senior Center. “The Baby Boomers are coming and they have a lot to offer. We want this to be the go to place for seniors. It is for seniors who want to learn and be innovative and progressive.”

There are currently 350 paid members of the Dunmore Senior Center.

Alison, who enjoys all kinds of music except country, said she always has been around seniors.

“I was always with my parents and around older people. It is just natural for me to be with older people. And I always found them interesting. I feel a certain bond with them. I honestly love being around them.”