RE-NAMING AND DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR
LAURIE SCHWENK SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER 

Special guests on hand for the re-naming and dedication ceremony (from left to right): Councilman Mark Timm, Mayor Pro Tem Charles Smith, Mayor Mike Felix, Norman Moorehead (retired from the Dallas Area Agency on Aging), Senior Program Director Dixie Dickson, Laurie Schwenk, Merle Schwenk, Councilman Chris Lam and Councilwoman Pat McMillan.  

Approximately 120 guests and dignitaries attended the dedication ceremony for the newly re-named Laurie Schwenk Senior Activity Center.  Mrs. Schwenk, a former resident of Sachse, established the "Sachse Go-Getters" in 1985 when a few seniors attended lunches and trips to the Dallas Arboretum.  For lack of a permanent meeting location, meetings were held at various churches until the City built a Library, which offered the seniors a place to meet in the mornings.  Exercise classes formed, Dallas County started sending a nurse out once a month, and eye exams were added.  The seniors started giving back to the community through volunteer work at the Chamber of Commerce and tutoring students at Luna and then Sewell Elementary Schools.  A grant was obtained from the Dallas Area on Aging to purchase a van and later an $80,000 grant from The Meadows Foundation and the Dallas Area Agency on Aging boosted the building fund and the new Center was built. 

A very nice plaque will hang in the Center outlining the history of the program.  If you get a chance, stop by and pay a visit.     

   
Laurie is surprised with the beautiful plaque that will hang in the Senior Center.  Pictured at right, Mr. Norman Moorehead came out from Dallas for the festivities, shown here with Laurie and Mayor Felix. 

 

HISTORY OF THE SACHSE
SENIOR CENTER

Recognizing the great need for a dedicated facility for the 1,000 + citizens over the age of 55, the Sachse Senior Center opened in June 2000 at 3815 Sachse Road, Suite B (Sachse Road and Bryan St. adjacent to the Library and Police Station).

For many years, the seniors used the Community Room in the Library, and while it was greatly appreciated, they were limited in the programs they could offer and the number of seniors they could serve.

The program offers many amenities and services to Sachse's senior citizens.  A place for games, exercise, a dance area, crafts/sewing/quilting, a full service kitchen and an office for the Seniors' Director are all available at the Senior Center.

The new Center was officially dedicated on June 7, 2000 and was re-named and dedicated the Laurie Schwenk Activity Center on June 29, 2006.  The Center is open for activities Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Check the calendar for activities.  

Seniors Programming Manager Dixie Dickson coordinates the activities, provides transportation, and is available for benefits counseling.  If you haven't met Dixie yet, make sure you get by the Center to meet her.  She will leave the door open for you.