The SAHARO Board is responsible for the Ogden Senior Center building at 200 South Union Street, Spencerport. SAHARO is an acronym for Senior Adult Housing and Recreation in Ogden, established in 1970.
SAHARO is the owner of the building. The Board handles its upkeep, and any repairs or improvements. The board is a group of accountable, unpaid volunteers who manage the finances according to an annual budget. In other words, we pay the bills: heating and A/C, lighting, insurance, and similar costs. We meet and work as a team to discuss issues and make decisions.
The Town of Ogden operates the nutrition program from this building. A part-time staff provides related duties. The town contributes annually to the SAHARO budget and handles valuable services such as driveway maintenance, mowing, plowing and salting. The town also provides program money.
The common purpose is to maintain an attractive, comfortable, pleasant, safe and welcoming environment for area seniors and their activities. Like the Town of Ogden community room and lodges, the Ogden Senior Center may be rented for special occasions by contacting the Ogden Parks & Recreation office.
The Board does fun things, too. In May the SAHARO Board of the Ogden Senior Center hosted Spring Fling 2013. The SAHARO Board treated more than 50 community seniors, serving them picnic food in a casual atmosphere.
The event began with a game of 1940s movie trivia. Floral arrangements were created from donations from the Hickory Hollow community – in the green spirit of reduce, reuse and recycle.
Spring Fling 2013 was chaired by Board member Barbara Ressman, who decorated the meeting room with granddaughter, Mackenzie, and Board member, Alice Sidoti-McCombs, who is SAHARO Board Fundraiser Coordinator. A garage sale to benefit the seniors/center at 200 South Union Street is being planned.
To further credit SAHARO Board members: Greg Dorgan with daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, assisted by Board member Carmen Zipeto, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers supplied by the Board. Harry Ewell and Roger Ressman lent a hand. Board member Mary “German potato salad” Rupp donated 10# of her specialty that complemented Krony’s macaroni salad. Barbara Ressman created desserts. Mayor Joyce Lobene was able to join us.
Other SAHARO Board members are Myron Fox, Treasurer, Andrea Hansen, Secretary, Director of Ogden Parks & Recreation, and Mal Perry, Councilman, our liaison with the Town of Ogden. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard and the entire Town of Ogden Board.
Sincere thanks go to the entire SAHARO Board, all of whom contribute time and talents “above and beyond” monthly meetings. We acknowledge Spencerport Lions and Rotary friends for their kind assistance with projects: decorating and painting of the kitchen and restrooms, restoration of the front of the building and the porch (thank you, Peter Montrois), and a brand new bench (thank you, Ron Erath). We appreciate the generous support of the Canal Days Committee to the Ogden Senior Center. Anyone who would like to help, or perhaps honor a loved one, can find donation envelopes available a the center.
We also thank Suburban News for publication of the Ogden Senior Center monthly calendar of nutritious meals, informative programs and speakers and excursions. For other details, contact the center at 352-3250.
Carol J. Nellis-Ewell
Chair/President
SAHARO Board of the Ogden Senior Center
9/8/13
