Remember When?

25 YEARS AGO • MARCH 11, 1999

REALIZATION OF DREAM EVIDENT IN NEW CENTER

The realization of a long-held dream was shared with over 140 people when the Thompson Falls Senior Citizens formally dedicated their new center east of town.

Members of the group were understandingly beaming as they freely gave tours through the building for the many guests.

Elthea Butcher, the secretary for the group, said the structure was financed primarily from their savings from years of fundraisers and dues and then the package was completed by a zero-interest loan made available through Clark Fork Telecommunications and the federal government’s Rural Development agency.

Delivering a keynote address was Bob Plummer, a longtime member of the group.

He mused that although he tends to be conservative, if it wasn’t for the long range thinking of some of the original members, the new building may never have been realized.

Plummer credited the late Marilyn Karcher as being a driving force, coaxing the group to think far into the future and plan for spacious, new quarters. She served as the organization’s first president back in 1985. At the time the group met in her home and later their first function was a monthly luncheon, catered by Karen Doxtater at the Patrick Brown Memorial Center.

Then, under the direction of Roy and Bessie Todd the group moved to the community center where they increased the frequency of the lunches to weekly, a popular social event for all who attended.

The group purchased seven lots on the north end of Woodland Street in Thompson Falls with plans to construct their senior center there.

As the concept progressed and became more and more of a reality, they were fortunate in that Judy and Bud Leufkens offered to donate land for the new center at the current location southeast of the high school football field. With that parcel, their bank account and the prospect of the no-interest loan, they were able to get started.

Groundbreaking for the center began over a year ago, under the direction of then president Clint Stickney. Plummer recalled that Stickney had a clear vision of what the center would be and went straight to work. “We owe him a debt of gratitude,” observed Plummer.

Now the group operates out of the new center which was essentially completed last year and the new quarters are spacious - a large 40’x80’ building.

The focal point of the wood structure is the main meeting room, a well lit and windowed room that can handle 200 people. Off the north end of the room are the large kitchen and two restrooms. The office is to the north of the restrooms and to the north of the kitchen is a large pantry/storage room.

The building design was patterned from plans prepared for the Dixon Senior Citizens Center, and enlarged to accommodate a larger group. Several of the Dixon club members attended Saturday’s grand opening.

The current president of the Senior Citizens is Bill Chisenhall and he was doing more than his job description Saturday, and spent time in the parking lot helping direct traffic for the many cars that needed to be parked.

Plummer said they couldn't have accomplished the project without the many donations of materials, time and ideas from the local community. “We received thousands of hours of labor and many generous donations,” he said. “Thompson River Lumber and Vinson Timber Products were especially generous with materials and of course the Leufkens helped make the whole thing work. Everybody pitched in. It’s a great place and everyone should be delighted.”

Many of the members expressed that they hope the community doesn’t just see the resource as a senior center, and instead, view it as a community building that can be used by everyone. They want to share their good fortune.

But of all the many comments the group received Saturday, few were as fitting and appropriate as that of Bud Leufkens as he toured the new building. “It feels good in here,” said Bud. That’s an observation that so many felt, but didn’t put into words so appropriately.

The wood frame structure had a price tag of about $175,000. Some of that price was paid with the sale of some of the original lots the group purchased.