THE STORY OF THE

GOLDEN AGE CENTER 

OF

CANON CITY, COLORADO

 By

Orien Johnson & Jean Dickey

Once upon a time........

as all good stories begin, in the little town of Canon City, Colorado, a group of community leaders met one day, in the year of our Lord 1961. and shared their concerns for the needs of many of their aging citizens who needed a place to meet and enjoy activities to keep them young at heart.

These far-sighted leaders formed a committee, as all good enterprises do, to study the problem and formulate plans.  This committee, consisting of a physician, serveral pastors, and former business men and their faithful wives, began a plan of action that would continue through the years to fill the needed service to their community.

First Golden Age Center:

They rented a dining room in the historic Stratmore Hotel for $50.00 per month, and called this meeting room the  Golden Age Center

An open house was held, the community was invited, and over 300 people attended.  Ninety five of these guests signed up as members promising to pay dues of $5.00 per year.

THINGS BEGAN TO HUM AT THE CENTER.  Volunters from the town sent money, materials, and labor as needed, and the Golden Ageres enjoyed cards, sewing, quilting, educational programs, dances and meals galore where they talked about the good old days, bragged about their grandchildren, and shared horror stories stories about their operations.

In early 1966 Govenor Love held a conference on Aging in Denver which was attended by members of the Advisory

The Golden Age Center became incorporated, as all good organizations do, on October 19, 1966 and became a model studied by State and Federal agencies.  Now activities were added such as woodworking, television, leather-craft, ceramics, a pool table, and a library.

THE SECOND GOLDEN AGE CENTER

In January of 1967 Dr. Jack Vincent purchased the old Wilson Mortuary  building and presented it to the Golden Age Council to serve as the second center of activities.

A nutrition program was launched in 1980 with the first congregate meal served on January 9, 1980, catered by Eileen Seymore

1985 was a good year

It was a time to look to the future and plan for the increasing number of seniors who would need the services of the Center.  The old building had served its day.  It would be razed and a new Golden Age Center must be constructed.

Committees were formed.  Plans were drawn and revised.  Funds were raised.  A lot was purchased.  A sign was errected telling the public that this was the site of the new Center, and the community began to watch the progress being made.

First the ground must be broken.  Shovels were gilded and on August 26, 1985, six official posed, as cameras clicked, and the first shovels full of the good earch was turned.

Bulldozers leveled the lot.  Forms were built.  Rdeinforcement rods tied, and the cement trucks arrived to pour the foundation.

By November the roof beams and wall studs were in place, and it began to look like the new Center would soon be ready for occupancy. Therefore this would be

THE THIRD GOLDEN AGE CENTER

LOOKING AHEAD

The story of the Golden Age Center is a continuing story.  The Center has already served two generations and will continue to serve generations far into the future.

As soon as we raise the money for the new parking lot we will find other needs to be met and find ways to meet them.  Let's double our present membership of 540 members and schedule more activities for them.  Let's broaden our services to the community, and keep improving our relations with other civic, service and community organizations.

Where do we grow from here?