Seniors from Local Centers Enter Projects at Grange Fair

Within the Grange Fair exhibit book is a section dedicated to ‘Adult Handcrafts — Centre County Senior Living Communities.’ Mona Bowmaster, chair of the section, says that this year has seen an increase in entries over last year, with Centre Crest alone having 27 applications.

Each of the senior living groups handle crafts in their own way. At Centre Crest, Shelby Nesmith, recreational therapist, is on hand to help with ceramics projects on Mondays.

“There are 21 ceramic projects and at least 15 leaf imprinting objects that the residents have made,’ she said. ‘The items entered include Valentine plates and dishes, Easter lambs, leaf imprinted items, a Christmas tree lantern, mugs, dogs, cats and more. The seniors are excited about entering those in the fair. We will take a group over to the fair on Senior Day [Thursday].”

On Tuesday mornings at Centre Crest, master gardeners help residents pot plants, arrange flowers and enjoy other activities of a gardening nature.

Giving residents at the senior living facilities a chance to participate in ordinary, but much-remembered activities like the Grange Fair is one of the special things that Juniper Village does to enrich the lives of the people that live there.

One person at Juniper that entered items in several categories, which is permitted as long as it is only one entry per area. Valentine’s Day was well represented by Juniper Village’s efforts.

“There has been some nice sponsor support for the residents’ crafting,’ Bowmaster said. ‘One person gave $20 to be used for a first prize and another person gave $100 for 10 prizes.”

At the Centre Region Active Adult Center, the entry categories covered include flower arranging, Christmas, photography, framed needlework, water color and plastic and yarn coasters.

“Many of the people who come here work on their projects at home,’ Lu Skidgel, a staff member at the adult center, said. ‘We do have a craft time on Fridays at 10 a.m.”

Senior Citizens Day at the Centre County Grange Fair is on Thursday, Aug. 22. All persons over 62 get in free, although parking rates still apply.