Connectedness for the Ageless Generation: Building project news

By Michael Smith

Have you ever launched out into something you’ve never done before? For instance, I’d never been a newspaper columnist before Kathy at the Gazette called to see if I’d like to try it. Hopefully this experience will be mutually beneficial. I can’t wait to find out what I have to say!

A good place to get started might be to explore varied topics related to being a senior (including not admitting to being a senior): finding friendship, recreation and education in Sequim, and how Shipley Center can fit into the middle of all of that.

We’ll cite factual facts, discuss actual acts and ask questions galore as we tirelessly explore. (Say that three times real fast…) I might veer off into the risky arena of sharing my opinion and asking for yours on topics that interest us. We’ll seek resources to help us with our needs, while at the same time striving to remain as fiercely independent and healthy as possible.

The goal: connectedness. No matter what generational shoebox we find ourselves assigned to, we’ll be making efforts to connect ourselves together into an “ageless generation” of folks who thrive at life. Let’s focus on making and maintaining connections with people and places, with things and resources, that will lead to better quality and even quantity of life in the time we have left on this orb.

Many of you know me as the executive director of Shipley Center, which is Sequim’s independent nonprofit senior center. From my mini-bio that I use when meeting a group or going to a speaking engagement for the first time:

With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit world, Michael has a heart for seniors and their needs. For the past 21 years he has led Sequim, WA’s 2000+ member Shipley Center in the achievement of its mission to encourage friendship, recreation, and education. Michael is especially proud of the Center’s recent purchase of the former JCPenney building that is being renovated into a new home for the organization. He is also very grateful to the Center’s dedicated board directors, members, volunteers and staff who make Shipley Center one of the most active, successful, compassionate, and fun organizations serving seniors in western Washington.

Speaking of that Shipley building project, here are some FAQs:

Q: What exactly is Shipley Center?

Sequim Senior Services, a nonprofit corporation dba Shipley Center, is Sequim’s local independent senior center.

It was founded 55 years ago, in 1971 by visionary Sequim pioneers led by Hart Smith, who had a passion for enriching the lives of older adults with social and recreational activities.

Shipley Center is named after local philanthropist, Rotarian and business owner, the late R. Leo Shipley, who believed the services provided should be well supported and encouraged for future generations in perpetuity.

Q: I hear you’ll be going from 11,000 square feet to 29,000 square feet. Why do you need more space?

More room is needed for our 2,000 members and guests to enjoy all of our fun activities.

We are bursting at the seams and have been looking for a solution to the need for more space since 2007.

We are very grateful for this opportunity, which has come along at just the right time, to have more room for: socials; exercise classes; art; games; computers; library; cribbage; diabetes support group; fiber arts; Healthy U!; hula, line and ballroom dancing; mah jongg; language classes; yoga; scrabble; bridge; watercolors; investment discussion group; ukulele; and more. You can see our full newsletter with a calendar of activities at shipleycenter.org.

The higher ceilings will allow us for the first time to have a gym where things like basketball, volleyball and pickleball (two courts) can be played.

Leo’s Café, open to the public, will be able to have the larger kitchen and dining room it truly needs to be able to serve you more of chef Kathryn Kitts’ excellent food. (Leo’s is recruiting volunteers with food service experience. Come in for a volunteer application!)

Q: As of this month, what is going on with the renovation project?

Concrete saws are cutting out part of the floor to allow for new drains for a large set of new restrooms.

The weather has been very nice to allow for the painting of the exterior by our man Duane Cobb, and his intrepid crew of volunteers. Thanks to generous donors, a nifty scissor lift was procured that helps us reach the heights!

Our framer will start within the next week or two to build interior walls that will begin to define our fantastic new spaces to meet.

Q: When will Shipley Center be able to make the move from 921 E. Hammond St. over to your new location?

Our goal is to be in the new building in time to have our traditional Christmas dinner there this year.

We seek to be “on time and under budget,” and thankfully things are looking good!

Q: How can I share ideas or ask questions on any of the above?

Feel free to email me at msmith@shipleycenter.org any time, or write c/o Shipley Center, PO Box 1827, Sequim, WA 98382. If you’d like more info about joining Shipley Center, or have programming questions or would like a tour of our current building, call 360-683-6806 and talk to our wonderful volunteers and staff members.

Until next time, stay connected and ageless!

Photo courtesy Shipley Center/ A time lapse camera points to the lines where concrete will be cut for restrooms at what will become the new senior center.