Program Supervisor Erin Habben said a couple of the high points of the year included Active Aging Week and the Christmas Tree Walk.

The Active Aging Week was held Oct. 4-8. Active Aging Week is a nationwide event to celebrate aging and the benefits of active living.

“We offered activities to active aging in the area,” said Habben. “This was to get seniors out to participate and move while having fun.”

Events through the week included a walk and breakfast in the park, bingo and a movie. An Active Aging Fair was held and local businesses set up booths and offered door prizes.

Habben said the week was an opportunity to reach folks who are 50 and older and may want to take advantage of the programs offered at Citizens Central.

It has been more difficult to reach people throughout the pandemic, she said. “We were closed for over a year before we opened up for lighter activities in July,” Habben said before the event. “We just haven’t had a chance to offer much to seniors or those actively aging, so I’m excited because we are offering five days of activities. We want people to get out, have some fun, enjoy themselves and see what we have to offer.”

In December, many local businesses set up Christmas tree displays at Citizens Central and they invited members of the community to come see them and vote for their favorites. An admission of canned goods was collected and donated to The Lord’s Cupboard food pantry. Habben said they had nearly 300 people visit to see the displays.

Habben said they have been able to host more events.

“We have hosted a few family bingo nights, a couple movies in the afternoon for seniors, various events, PJs and Pizza with Santa, Halloween Snack Classes and Breakfast Classes,” she said.

Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, Habben said they were ready to serve the community.

“COVID made things a little tricky since 2020, but once we decided to open back up in June of 2021, we were ready for the challenge,” she said. “This building has always been labeled as a ‘senior center’ and we really wanted to change that thinking for people. We have something to offer for everyone.”