|  In
May of 1978 a small group of Seniors formed the Golden Age Group
of Washington Township under the leadership of Frank Lederer.
They used to move from place to place to hold meetings. One of
their goals was to have a place where the township seniors could
come together.
In 1977 land had been purchased for a future center.
Because there were many people in the town who wished the center to
be built, they prevailed and in 1985 Grace LaBarre, (nee Brewster),
Director of Morris County Division of Community Development obtained
a Federal Grant of $80,000. to build the center.
On October 14, 1986 ground breaking for the center took
place at 10.00 A. M. Frank Lederer, first President of the Golden
Age Group, turned the first shovel of earth in Rock Spring Park. The
Federal Grant and a $45,000. appropriation by the township paid the
cost of construction. Furnishings for the center were purchased with
$11,500 from the sale of township owned land. Gordon Raupp, township
Architect, donated the landscape design and blueprints. Stateline
Construction built the center.
May 30, 1987 was the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Township
Committeeman, Robert Schmieder cut the ribbon. The event was emceed
by the Hon. Edward Shields, Mayor of Washington Township. 41 individuals
and firms donated time, material or money to the center. The first
Director/ Bus Driver was Mrs. Julie Bruno.
Landscaping was supplied by Elwin Nylander of Plants
and So Forth and Granata Tree Farm. Other landscaping money was donated
by the Chester-Long Valley Rotary. Stanley Kramer, township developer
donated machinery, time and topsoil to grade the site. The Boy Scouts
of Troop 136 planted and donated landscape material. The sound system
was provided by a $2,000. donation from the Friends of the Senior
Center Committee. Long Valley Presbyterian Church donated tables and
chairs in 1989 and 1990. The upright piano was donated by Patty Stephenson
of Schooley's Mt. Inn.
On May 28th, 1994 the flag pole and plaque honoring
our Veterans was erected and dedicated.
Through the years various changes have come to the center
which have led to its enjoyment of many, many township seniors. The
Golden Age Group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Mondays and Fridays the Canasta Group meets and the Bridge Group meets
on Mondays. The American Veterans were given permission to meet in
the center in 1994. They meet on the second Tuesday of the month.
The center has a beautiful pool table refurbished and donated by Grace
and Fred Nast as well as a Ping Pong table. Many seniors are transported
to and from the center for events because of the Senior Bus, driven
by Mrs. Mary Gustafson.
Today the center is under the direct supervision of
Washington Township Senior Program Coordinator Mrs. Gail
Werner. They can be reached at (908) 876-5941. or by e-mail.
The Senior Advisory Council was formed in 1993
to assist the Director, Norman Van Houten. The Center has had
seven Directors. The Council was disbanded in 2007.
| Director |
Term |
| Julio Bruno* |
1987
- 1989 |
| Kitty Ayres* |
1989 - 1991 |
| Norman Van
Houten |
1991 - 1995
|
| Jeanne Montemarano |
1995 - 1998 |
| Clyntha Graham |
1998 - 1999
|
| Richard Blood |
1999 - 2002
|
| Eleanora
Murfitt |
2002
- 2007 |
| 
