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McDonald center to mark one year

McDONALD — The McDonald Senior Center will mark its first-year anniversary in February.

The center, which is located at 500 Ohio Ave., next to the post office, is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, offering a variety of programs and services to people of all ages, but mainly local senior citizens.

Center director Millie Ritz said activities include a literary book club, exercise programs three days a week, health screenings, bingo, crafts, potlucks, movies, games and day trips.

Eleanor Bouch of McDonald, who regularly attends the center programs, said she likes playing cards and participating in the potluck dinners.

“The director has done a great job providing so many activities,” Bouch said.

Shirley Grantz of McDonald said the center provides a place for people to socialize and spend time together.

“Everything is so welcoming,” she said.

The center also is used as a drop-off site for the United Service Organizations Inc., a nonprofit that provides programs, services and live entertainment to United States service members and their families. The public can bring in items for the troops serving overseas, including cards, games, snacks, toiletry and hygiene items.

Bruce Billey with the local USO at the Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Station said the village’s senior center is the only dropoff site in northeast Ohio for personal care items for military personnel stationed throughout the world.

”It is amazing what the village is able to do for so many,” he said

The public also can stop by the center to drop off used glasses for the McDonald Lions Club.

Ritz said speakers from Mercy Health visit the center to address residents’ health issues and provide opportunities for one-on-one communication with experts.

“We want to have different speakers who come and speak to the local residents on different topics of interest,” she said.

The McDonald Historical Society also uses the center for its meetings the first Thursday of each month.

Ritz said the center is open to any suggestions from people and for the many local groups that would like to use the center.

She said a Super Bowl party is being planned for February.

Trips planned include one day to Mill Creek MetroParks, White House Fruit Farm and Kravitz Deli.

”We took a trip to see the Christmas trees at Mill Creek Park, which everyone loved,” Ritz said.

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