Jeanne K. Hugenbruch | The Dunmorean

The Dunmore Activity Hub for Seniors presented a two-act play, John Mitchell: An American Hero, on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

The two-act play, written and performed as a dramatic reading by Robert Thomas Hughes, was held in the Dunmore Senior Center, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore.

The two-act play was presented as an interview, revealing the personal and professional insights into the life of human rights leader John Mitchell. The original play was also a tribute to John Mitchell as “a champion and defender of human rights.”

Jeanne K. Hugenbruch is executive director of the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe for Seniors.

“Well, it is 2016 and we should all make it our New Year’s resolution to learn something new this year,” she said. “Where did 1972 go?

“We are planning many new classes we think everyone will enjoy this year. We are asking that everyone check which programs they are interested in and mail back the form listed in our newsletter.”

Those classes and programs include: How to Self Publish a Book, DIY and Self Sufficiency classes and projects, brain games, Tai Chi, Blogging how to’s, Book of the Month Club, Gifts from the Kitchen, Host a Radio Show/ Record Podcasts, Souper Suppers – Evening Lectures, Organic Gardening, Foodiness- new veggies, our food supply and ethnic cooking, technology classes, local trips, Oil Painting, Free Online college course, Learn to Play an Instrument, Poetry Writing Classes, Community Service Projects, Mahjongg and Ballroom Dancing.

“We are hoping that everyone can please stay warm and join us at the Hub.”

The Commonwealth Medical College in conjunction with the Dunmore Senior Center is working on a collaborative project to provide technology training in an effort to bridge communication barriers. The mission is to provide education in the major communication outlets, like Facebook and Skype, on a smartphone, tablet or computer.

The Dunmore Senior Center held a Medication Take Back Event Tuesday, Jan. 12. The event was sponsored by the Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Voluntary Action Center.

Lottie Collins is Site Council President at the Dunmore Activity Hub for Seniors. Shirley Martinelli is reservationist. Carol Angerson is lead volunteer.

For more information on the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe and its programs, call 570-207-2662. The fax number is 570-207-2640.

The Dunmore Senior Center continues to take applications for 2016 membership.

The Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe for Seniors is a non-profit agency supported in part through the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, the Borough of Dunmore and through the fundraising efforts of the Senior Site Council and the Board of Directors.

By Steve Svetovich

Jeanne Hugenbruch recently with a Certificate of Recognition for her efforts and dedication to senior citizens.

The highly recognized Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe, located at 1414 Monroe Avenue, will be holding several new activity groups as the fall season approaches. The award winning Jeanne K. Hugenbruch holds the title of executive director.

Hugenbruch recently was awarded the 2015 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nutrition for Older Pennsylvanians from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. The prestigious award recognizes those who work to improve nutrition programs within the state’s aging network and are committed to strengthening the quality of life of older Pennsylvanians.

Hugenbruch, always an advocate to improve nutrition programs for senior citizens, was recognized for her innovative ideas in planning nutritional, balanced meals for the senior citizens at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe.

Lackawanna County Commissioners Ed Staback and Jim Wansacz presented Hugenbruch recently with a Certificate of Recognition for her efforts and dedication to senior citizens.

Always an innovator, Hugenbruch continues to plan new groups as well as new meals for the seniors who attend the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe. Some of last month’s menu items included beef stew, Greek lemon chicken, Italian Veggie Ricotta Frittata with Ciambotta, fish steak with peppers, cheese tortellini alfredo, veggie stuffed meatloaf, pasta with meat sauce, stuffed chicken breast, fish filet Italiano, chicken sauté in peanut sauce, pork with lentils, eggplant Parmesan, chicken Parmesan, steak and cheese hoagie, roast turkey sandwich, French chicken ratatouille, pork cutlets with butternut squash and a Cowboy Day dinner featuring ham steak with red-eye gravy and roasted seasoned spuds. And that is just a small sample of the featured meals!

One of the new groups will be a Celebration of Life series that begins this month. Once a month, the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe will have a special afternoon luncheon with live entertainment. There will be more information coming.

“This will be a lot of fun and will put a smile on your face,” said Hugenbruch.

A Pinochle Group began last month and meets Tuesdays after lunch around noon.

The Wii Bowling Tournament was delayed because the disc was not operable. However, a new disc was received and the tournament began on Aug. 4. Two winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate this month. The winner with the highest total score and the winner with the highest total average will each receive a prize valued at $25. If you miss a day, you can make it up on a Friday. The program will run through the end of this month.

Caring Matters was held on Aug. 25 at 10:30 a.m. Caring Matters provided a bingo game and refreshments. Country-Western Day was held on Aug. 4. The Assistive Tech Resource Center visited the Dunmore Activity Hub on Aug. 11 to talk about eligibility for the Telecommunications Device Distribution Program (TDDP) and other services offered. April Murphy spoke about nutrition on Aug. 18. The very popular ballroom dancing group returns this month at the Hub.

“We welcome all of our new site council members,” said Hugenbruch. “We had a great meeting recently and brainstormed ideas to make this place hop. We have a lot of new things happening and coming up soon. Enjoy the weather and plan on joining us at the Hub soon.”

Other activities at the Hub last month included bingo, crafts, speakers, chair exercise, Bible Study, big bingo, volunteer time, sketching, Stretchin’ with Gretchen, yoga and oil painting. Winner takes all with Big Bingo which is Wednesdays at 9 a.m. All money collected will be given out in prizes.

“Bring your friends,” said Hugenbruch. “The more that play, the better the prizes.”

A Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. There was live entertainment from the duo, Roger and Joe, and a dinner provided by Chef Bill. The event was only $5 for seniors and $8 for friends. Members of Site Council, the Board of Directors and anyone who helps at the site on a regular basis were able to attend for free.

Nolan Lukey is kitchen coordinator at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe. Shirley Martinelli is reservationist. Lottie Collins is Site Council president. Carol Angerson is lead volunteer. For more information, call 570-207-2662.