Williston Senior Center Closing
Published January 22nd, 2013
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WILLISTON FL:
The cheer "bingo" is one frequently said at the Suwanee river economic council senior center in williston.
But not for much longer...after receiving news the center is relocating.
We talked to one woman who explained how important this place is to her...and her friends.
Lola Matsko, a Williston Resident says that "at my age you never know whats going to happen."
But at 91 years old lola matsko knows exactly where she is going to be every week...
At the swanee river economic council senior center in Williston.
Just playing some bingo with good friends...
Matsko said, "I enjoy the people that are here, because they are nice and ah we all have a good time playing bingo. and its a good pastime here."
For fourteen years she has come to this place, her home away from home...
With sheets of bingo cards in hand.
And for others in the community its their sanctuary were they can come play games and laugh with friends.
But now everything is changing.
The seniors play bingo every week but now that the facility is closing no one will be winning.
Matsko said "i've made many many friends here over the years and it has upset me very much that to think that we might loose this place here."
The Suwannee river economic council which uses federal money to run the facility announced yesterday that they will be moving the center or another facility nearby.
And that facility will only be open for a few hours twice a week for meals.
They refused comment for this report.
Elder options manages the facility.
Kristen Longmore from elder options gave some reassurance to those who are upset about the change.
Longmore wanted the seniors to know that, "we are working with the agency currently to get a report to figure out what we can do to remedy the situation or find a resolution that could work."
But for those who play bingo with their nickels and dimes.
This is a gamble they aren't willing to make.
And they aren't happy that others are making it for them.
Matsko only had one thing to say to those individuals who are closing down the facility; "when their time comes they will realize the mistake that they are making."
For now Miss Matsko and her friends will dot their score cards playing for pennies until the end.
The seniors will be relocated to a baptist church down the road at the beginning of february.
The facility will only serve meals twice a week and will not provide bingo.
And for others in the community its their sanctuary were they can come play games and laugh with friends.
But now everything is changing.
The seniors play bingo every week but now that the facility is closing no one will be winning.
Matsko said "i've made many many friends here over the years and it has upset me very much that to think that we might loose this place here."
The Suwannee river economic council which uses federal money to run the facility announced yesterday that they will be moving the center or another facility nearby.
And that facility will only be open for a few hours twice a week for meals.
They refused comment for this report.
Elder options manages the facility.
Kristen Longmore from elder options gave some reassurance to those who are upset about the change.
Longmore wanted the seniors to know that, "we are working with the agency currently to get a report to figure out what we can do to remedy the situation or find a resolution that could work."
But for those who play bingo with their nickels and dimes.
This is a gamble they aren't willing to make.
And they aren't happy that others are making it for them.
Matsko only had one thing to say to those individuals who are closing down the facility; "when their time comes they will realize the mistake that they are making."
For now Miss Matsko and her friends will dot their score cards playing for pennies until the end.
The seniors will be relocated to a baptist church down the road at the beginning of february.
The facility will only serve meals twice a week and will not provide bingo.
