Since 1956, Senior Citizens of Westbury, Inc. has been providing a variety of services to senior citizens of the Incorporated Villages of Westbury and Old Westbury and the Westbury School District. What began as a recreational-education program that met once a week has today grown into a multi-purpose, five-day-a-week senior center with over 500 members.

Located at 360 Post Avenue in the Westbury Community Center, Senior Citizens of Westbury is a nonprofit agency funded by the respective villages, the school district, the Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County, New York State and private fundraisers. Aside from consultants hired to conduct several of the center's classes and five paid administrators, the center is run solely by some 140 volunteers and governed by a 12-member volunteer board of directors.

Throughout the week, seniors age 60 and over can participate in a variety of different programs, including crafts, bowling, swimming, knitting, piano, ceramics and sewing. Seniors also have the opportunity to take part in a variety of outside activities, including bus trips to Atlantic City, lunch and a movie at the Broadway Mall or shopping a local retail store or supermarket. Each month, a birthday/anniversary celebration is held and there are several holiday parties, including an upcoming Valentine's Day luncheon at Verdi's.

In addition, a hot lunch and bus transportation to and from the center is available on a daily basis. Thanks to a $50,000 state grant secured by Senator Michael Balboni, the center will soon receive a new bus.

While regular programming at the center is restricted to seniors over age 60, the Adult Cultural and Education Studies (ACES) program is available to all residents 55 and over. ACES is a program dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults. The courses offer opportunities for creativity and growth through challenging programs in the arts, humanities and wellness. The program also encourages development of inner resources and expansion of personal horizons.

Through the ACES program, a variety of health-related, educational and recreational classes are offered, including tap and line dancing, painting, intermediate computer and conversational Spanish and various fitness programs, including Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung.

Most recently, some 100 ACES members became involved in the center's Seniors Stretch and Stroll Across Long Island program. "Through this program we incorporate all the classes that have to do with physical fitness and every time someone takes the class we convert it into miles," Jean Silverman, director of the center, said of the program which was implemented in June 2002. "When completed, the total mileage of the program will total 118 miles, the distance across Long Island from Coney Island to Montauk Point."

Maureen Droge, assistant director of the center, added, "Believe it or not, some people have already exceeded the 118 miles."

In addition to offering senior members of the community a variety of programs, the center offers many intergeneration programs. Recently, students from Westbury High School fulfilled community service requirements by working one-on-one in an art class with members of the center. In the past, the seniors have joined with St. Brigid's School and Friends School and will celebrate Black History Month with a program at the Drexel Avenue School.

For longtime and recent members alike, the Westbury senior center is more than a place to attend programs. "I am here just about every day so I would say I enjoy everything," said Westbury senior Sylvia Hollar. "Even when I go away, I can't wait to come back."

Evangeline Goodwin, a member of the center for 25 years, said, "I am here every day. It is my second home. I don't know what I would do without the center."

Jo and Tony Marino of Westbury have been involved with the center for nearly 10 years. Mr. Marino is currently president of the center's membership board and his wife is past president. "So many members have no place else to go and nothing else to do," said Mrs. Marino. "This is a friendship place, someone will always walk by and give you a smile." She added that for those home alone, the center "forces people to get dressed and leave the house."

Jayne Mayers agreed, saying, "I have friends who don't want to go home to an empty house because they are alone. I am not alone [at home] but I come here to be with people. It's a wonderful place and I look forward to coming here." When she is not attending programs at the center, Mayers, a 16-year member of the center, can be found volunteering her time at the front desk or in other capacities for which she is needed.

Of the seniors' will and dedication to the center, Silverman said, "Watching them gives you courage. The atmosphere is very uplifting and positive. Our members are not sitting home. They just keep going."

Senior Citizens of Westbury offers a variety of programs and activities Monday through Friday. All programs are open to residents of Westbury and Old Westbury Village, New Cassel and the Westbury School District over the age of 60.

The Westbury Senior Center's Adult Cultural and Education Studies (ACES) Program is open to all residents of the above communities who are 55 years of age and older. The following ACES programs are offered: Fitness, Tap Dancing, Wise Workouts, A 21st Century Look, Line dancing, Music-composers-opera-performers, Strength Training, Painting, Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung, Memoirs: This Is Your Life, Ballroom Dancing, Conversational Spanish, Computers (Intermediate) and games such as Pinochle, Scrabble, bridge and Mah Jong.

The Senior Citizens of Westbury is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday through Thursday in the summer. For more information, call 334-5886.