Aug 27

Written by: ngreditor
8/27/2008 8:45 PM 

This building has proven to be a meaningful and worthwhile project. Since it was built in 1913 it has been used for various businesses and organizations. Even as the times change the building looks much the same as it did as a new build.

One community use to another

The Newman Grove Community Club has purchased the Senior Center building for $1.

The Newman Grove Senior Citizen group purchased the building in 1989 and since that time has had numerous fund raisers to make improvements, renovations and purchase equipment, furniture and fixtures. The building has served them well as a place to meet and serve meals daily.

Loss of members due to death, moving from the area or to assisted living and nursing homes has caused the Senior Center to lose much of its government assisted funding. Recently the board made the decision to discontinue daily meals and dispose of the building, equipment and fixtures.

Dennis Fowlkes said “On behalf of the Community Club and the entire community, I would like to thank the Newman Grove Senior Citizens Center for this very generous gift which shows its support for the community.

“We realize a lot of hard work by many people went into making it the great meeting room it is. Many good times were had and memories made during the last 19 years; which made it a hard decision to close but knowing their efforts will continue to serve the community, I am sure, made the decision easier.”

Roger Hollis, President of Newman Grove Senior Citizens Center, Inc. is shown here accepting a check for $1.00 from Dennis Fowlkes, President of the Newman Grove Community Club. This token payment represents the transfer of ownership of the former Senior Citizen building at 413 Hale Ave, downtown Newman Grove.

Fowlkes went on to say “Taking on the building as a Community Center would not have been possible without a generous donation to a charitable trust fund by Bud and Georgianne Gerhart. That gift will allow us to have the interest earned on that fund each year to help pay monthly utilities, insurance and other costs.”

Our Community Club has waited 20 years for this opportunity to have a community center. Under the leadership of LaVern Welburn as chairperson, a fund drive was made during Newman Grove’s Centennial in 1988. That fund drive along with memorials, donations and interest added to it now amounts to $31,000, which can be used to help offset costs of operation, to purchase some equipment and fixtures needed. The Community Club has earlier purchased a property south of the tennis courts as a possible site for a building and that can now be sold.

There has already been discussion on plans to cover the building roof with a pitch roof. A recent hail storm has allowed the Senior Citizen Center to collect $10,800 in damages to the present roof and many feel that money should be put toward a new pitch roof rather than patching an old roof. The $10,800 would cover about 40% of a new pitch roof.

Hoping to do the new roof and some other improvements would require the support of the community and past residents with a soft spot in their hearts for Newman Grove.

Anyone wishing to help us with this cause can contact Becky Dunlap, Community Club Treasurer, at (402) 447- 9929 or PO Box 314, Newman Grove, or direct memorials or donations to the Community Club Building Fund at the Bank of Newman Grove, Box 479, Newman Grove.

Thanks to everyone for their past and future support of our Community Center Building Fund.

Reservations for use of the building can be directed to Karen Cleland, Community Club Secretary, at (402) 447- 2266.

Plans are underway to have a contest to name the new center along with the chili cook-off fundraiser planned for October.