TC seniors show off improvements to visitors

The Trout Creek Senior Center has been making a lot of changes recently. The center held an open house last weekend to share information with the community about the services they offer. From brand new kitchen equipment to newly renovated bathrooms, the center is making a comeback. "You don't have to be a senior to visit or eat at the senior center," said Nadine Nelson of Thompson Falls, a board member of the Trout Creek Senior Center. "Through generous donations made by our patrons and fundraising we have been able to completely renovate our kitchen. Our new cooks Paige Buchan and Dawn Davis here at the center are wonderful. They make amazing food for us on Tuesday and Friday nights and the meal prices are very reasonable, not to mention they work with almost all allergies and dietary restrictions as well," added Nelson.

"We only make about $2 off of the meals that we sell because we don't want to be greedy and we want to keep our prices affordable so that anyone can come and enjoy a quality meal at an affordable price. We would love to see more families and children come to eat at the center," mentioned center President Debb McNary. "We are very affordable and we have a fun, relaxed, family atmosphere here at the center. What funds we make from selling meals go towards helping maintain and improve the center."

Anyone can eat at the Trout Creek Senior Center on Tuesday and Friday evenings, not just members. All meals include soup, salad, veggies, fruit and dessert. The center starts serving soup and salad at 5 p.m. and the main meal is served at 6 p.m. Bingo night takes place after the Friday evening meal. "Our recommended donation per meal is $5 for folks over the age of 60, $7 for those who are under the age of 60 and children under the age of 12 can eat for just $4," said board member and Treasurer Louise Stockholm. "We are planning even more improvements here. We are going to be replacing our back door, we are planning to renovate the parking lot and we are hoping to also install updated siding on the exterior of the building."

The center has been applying for and receiving some financial grants and has also had a variety of generous folks in the community make very helpful donations. The folks at Northern Lights have been very generous in making many donations, not to mention donations made by local businesses. "The center recently received a sizable donation from Jill Vandegrift at Montana Clear Water Properties and we could not be more thankful and grateful." commented McNary. "We would also like to install a new sign for the center to catch the eye of community residents so that they know we are here for them." added McNary.

The Trout Creek Senior Center will be holding a yard sale on Saturday, July 30, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This will be an indoor-outdoor sale. In addition to the sale, members of the center are asking for school supply donations, which will be distributed to local schools. Money from the yard sale will be used to complete other projects on the center's to-do list, such as a new senior center sign, improved lighting (inside and out), new siding, sealing the basement and much more. There is always maintenance and upkeep and to do that they need funding.

The center posts monthly menus on their Facebook page. Donations can be mailed to Trout Creek Senior Center, P.O. Box 1448 Trout Creek, MT 59874.