Happy 40th anniversary, Methuen Senior Center!

More than 40 years ago, Evelyn Rudis, Rene and Elaine Morissette, and Jeanette and Robert Courtemanche broke ground on the site of the old West School, located at 77 Lowell St. This would become the new home of the Methuen Senior Activity Center.

Rudis, the center’s first director, along with the Morissettes and the Courtemanches took on the fund-raising and were instrumental in obtaining the many tradesmen who donated their time to help build the center – which opened in 1984.

Now, hundreds of seniors visit the 17,000-square-foot facility each weekday. The center offers a variety of exercise programs at many levels, informational sessions, enrichment classes and volunteer opportunities for the purpose of keeping healthy, informed and connected to community. A thrift shop is also on premises, as well as a weight room and pool table.

Over 150 guests attended last month’s four-hour 40th anniversary party which included an open house and tours, speeches and recognitions. Guests enjoyed dinner by Quality Catering, then took to the dance floor for a fun-filled night.

Gary Morissette, the son of Rene and Elaine, briefly spoke saying, “Our parents would have been very proud to see this 40th anniversary. His organization and construction skills were exceptional and, because of those skills and the people he met, he created a network of individuals who donated their time to get this center built.”

Valerie Courtemanche, granddaughter of Jeanette and Robert, donated back to the center an oil painting that belonged to her grandparents, saying, “They would want this back here.”

In addition to a sea of seniors, the event was attended by current and former staffers and supporters as well as Mayor Neil Perry, Sen. Pavel Payano, state Reps. Estella Reyes and Ryan Hamilton, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Elder Affairs Jodi Breidel and others.

For more about the center or for a tour, call (978) 983-8825.

: Methuen Senior Activity Center staff all attended the anniversary party. Shown are (from left) Outreach/Intake Specialist Cheryl McQuillan, Assistant Director Susan Riccio, Executive Director Ashley Shaheen, Custodian Raymond Despres, former Executive Director Corinne Johnson and Confidential Secretary Maribet Torres.

: Enjoying the night are (from left) retired center employee Cheryl Donovan, Barabra Ell, City Health Director Kelly Townsend, Jill Stacklin, Public Health Nurse Karen Ferullo, Linda Bongiorno and Randy Mayfield. The ladies dressed in red were part of the amazing team of decorators who transformed the room exquisitely. Also on the team were Pauline Hoh, Yvonne Paplaskas and Peggy Trudel.

: Johnson is handed a bouquet of roses from Cheryl McQuillan for her 32 years as director of the Methuen Senior Activity Center.

: More than 40 years ago, Evelyn Rudis, Rene and Elaine Morissette, and Jeanette and Robert Courtemanche broke ground on the site of the old West School, located at 77 Lowell St. This would become the new home of the Methuen Senior Activity Center. Rudis, the center’s first director, along with the Morissettes and the Courtemanches took on the fund-raising and were instrumental in obtaining the many tradesmen who donated their time to help build the center – which opened in 1984. Now, hundreds of seniors visit the 17,000-square-foot facility each weekday. The center offers a variety of exercise programs at many levels, informational sessions, enrichment classes and volunteer opportunities for the purpose of keeping healthy, informed and connected to community. A thrift shop is also on premises, as well as a weight room and pool table. Over 150 guests attended last month’s four-hour 40th anniversary party which included an open house and tours, speeches and recognitions. Guests enjoyed dinner by Quality Catering, then took to the dance floor for a fun-filled night. Gary Morissette, the son of Rene and Elaine, briefly spoke saying, “Our parents would have been very proud to see this 40th anniversary. His organization and construction skills were exceptional and, because of those skills and the people he met, he created a network of individuals who donated their time to get this center built.” Valerie Courtemanche, granddaughter of Jeanette and Robert, donated back to the center an oil painting that belonged to her grandparents, saying, “They would want this back here.” In addition to a sea of seniors, the event was attended by current and former staffers and supporters as well as Mayor Neil Perry, Sen. Pavel Payano, state Reps. Estella Reyes and Ryan Hamilton, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Elder Affairs Jodi Breidel and others. For more about the center or for a tour, call (978) 983-8825.

: Former 32-year Executive Director Corinne Johnson (left) and Executive Director Ashley Shaheen, in her first year there, shared Master of Ceremony duties for the evening.