When I started working here August of 1979, Sheila Gaeckler was our executive director. She came into my office and told me to go down to Buckingham's and buy a pencil sharpener. "Don't spend too much money - we can't afford it." So I bought a pencil sharpener for $.59 cents, paid with my own money. It's the kind the kids use in grammar school. I think I still have it somewhere.

Well Doubleday Babcock has come a long way since then, 21 years to be exact. Our new address is now 45 East Main Street, just down the block. It took a long time, a lot of dreaming, but we are here. Angela Koenig and Barbara Hadel had a dream, with all the help from the board and our friends, community donors, well you know who your are.

We thank you with all our hearts. Without you this never would have happened. Our dream still would be dream, which proves that if you really believe in dreams, they really do come true.

We are now cooking our own meals, Nancy and Angie are great cooks, so the menu is always interesting and appetizing. Come on down and try it. The rules are still the same, you must call for lunch the day before, before noon.

There is still our regular programming: exercises, chair exercises, strength training, aerobics, yoga and tai chi. We still have our trips to Atlantic City and also other trips that are interesting. We also have a Fitness Center which will be furnished with treadmills, exercise bicycles, stair climbers and weights. This will be a great place to work out.

Carol our nurse is here on Tuesdays and Fridays taking blood pressure and blood sugar. We also have health related issues speakers from different health agencies providing us with information. They are interesting and informative.

Edna Dormer our social worker is here to help you with entitlements and any other problems you might have. I know sometimes when you receive a letter from social services or other government agencies you can panic because you don't understand it. Edna is here to help.

As I sit at my desk, I can look out the beautiful front door. I can see people passing by, sometimes they stop and look and others just walk by. I look at them and I think to myself - if they only knew how long and hard it took us to get to this beautiful building.

You know what! I know and I say to myself "Wow. We made it."