"Club 60 Fetes Its Golden Years" (The Poughkeepsie Beat; May 10, 2002)

Club 60 Fetes Its Golden Years
By A. Dakota Kim For The Poughkeepsie Beat

Some things only get better with age. On Tuesday, May 14, senior citizens and many other Poughkeepsie residents will get together to celebrate the community organization that emphasizes that fact at Club 60's 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.

Club 60 is one of the oldest senior citizen organizations in New York State. Founded in 1952 as a joint program of the Women's City and County Club and Arlington Central School, Club 60 offers social, educational, and recreational activities for Town of Poughkeepsie senior citizens.

In attendance will be many honored guests, including Walter Neihardt, the former director of adult education at Arlington High School. Neihardt was instrumental in organizing and starting Club 60 in 1952. Arthur May, former director of the Club 60 Adult program, former Club 60 art teacher Edith Emery, town officials Joe Davis, Stephen Krackower, and Todd Tancredi, representatives from Congressional offices, and many members of Club 60 will also be in attendance. Scott Graham, Town of Poughkeepsie Recreation Director, will emcee the event and read a letter of commendation from Governor Pataki.

"The club makes you feel like when you get older you have a lot to look forward to," said former director Alicia Stoffers. "There are women in their 80s who are active, driving their own cars, taking trips, having control of their lives. They're still interested in learning things and meeting people."

In 1973, the Town of Poughkeepsie began to sponsor Club 60 and pay for its budgetary needs. In 1984 a second branch, Club 60 II, was formed, and in 1993 Club 60 III was formed. Together, the three clubs have over 200 members. The group meets from September until July at the Town Police Community Room and the South Road Civic Center.

"These club members look forward to that club meeting once a week," said Club 60 friend George Stoffers. "They see their friends and get to have the experience of being with 60 or 70 other people like them."

Club 60 member Luella Oscarlece noted that in addition to social activities such as spaghetti dinners, holiday parties, outings, games, and arts and crafts, Club 60 members often work with children and engage in activities that benefit charities and special causes.

"We have made place mats for prisoners at Greenhaven, crocheted hats for the homeless in the winter, worked with children from the various schools, and made teddy bears for rescue workers from the fire department," said Oscarlece.

"They do a lot of great community activities and projects with kids," said Graham. "With the arts and crafts money the Recreation Department gave them, we made $1,500 dollars that we donated to a local Wappingers Falls family whose husband passed away on 9/11." "Club 60 keeps people from sitting around. It makes them get out, do activities, make friends, see people, and watch out for each other," said Oscarlece. "It's a needed thing and there should be more opportunities like it."

"It's a good organization to give seniors some outlets to get out of the house and socialize," said Graham. "We have about nine bus trips a year and see some sights that they possibly may not be able to see otherwise since some seniors may not drive."

In order to become a member of Club 60, one must be a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie and at least 50 years of age.