Senior Center News
Computer classes have started up again at the Center. Basic Microsoft Word 1 & 2 will be held Wednesday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 27. Basic Word Processing 3 & 4 will be held on Thursday, March 20 and Thursday, March 27. All classes are held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Please call Jayne Conley at the Center as space is limited to 13 per class. Call 412-781-6517. Cost is $5 00 per set. The Center will still be having their monthly supper club, movie day, shopping trips, bingo and cards. They also provide services such as registration for ACCESS, OPT, free bus passes and information for Pace and referrals. The Center is located at the First Congregational Church of Etna, 18 Walnut Street, Etna, PA.
Etna Commons
The Commons, located on Hickory Street, opened in February 1991, as a residence for elderly persons of limited income who are capable of independent living. Operating under the sponsorship of Christina Housing, Inc., it is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The building, which once housed the Etna Public High School, has been converted into 46 one„bedroom apartments with living room, bath, and fully-equipped kitchen. Each apartment has phone and cable lines and a thermostat for heating and cooling. There is an elevator in the building. The former school auditorium is now a well-lighted, comfortable recreation area. Bus service, post office, and local businesses are located just one block away.
In-house activities planned by the social committee include bingo, card games, birthday parties, prayer, and trips for those interested. The social committee concerns itself with community spirit among the residents. There is a resident manager in the building.
Residents have keys for their apartments and for the two exterior doors. Voice and visual contact with visitors allows residents to know who is seeking admission to the building and they release the door from their apartment. Emergency cords in the bathroom and bedroom enable residents to contact the manager. Each apartment has a smoke detector and fire extinguisher. The building alarm system ties in quickly with local policy, fire, and emergency personnel.
St. Francis Medical Center, in cooperation with the Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates offers medical services in the offices located on the High Street side of the building. The Medical Center is open to all residents of Etna and surrounding communities.
For further information, call the office at (412) 782-2711 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Etna Senior Center
The Happening Place for Seniors - where is it? Right at the First Congregational Church on Walnut Street. This Center is sponsored by the County of Allegheny - Department of Aging and the Borough of Etna. The Borough pays the salary of our Coordinator, Jayne Conley, and generously receives donations each month from the churches in our community as well as our civic organizations (Etna Neighborhood Association and the Etna Civic Association) to help defray this cost, while the County provides free lunches daily as well as other administration and guidance.
Blood pressure screening is provided every last Friday of the month, mall trips through OPT (Older Persons Transportation) leave every Monday from the Center, and OPT also provides transportation to Shop-N-Save every Wednesday. Cards are played after lunch on Mondays and Thursdays, and bingo is played after lunch on Tuesdays and Fridays. Once a month, interested seniors go out to a different restaurant for "Supper Club". The Center has a paperback book, magazine and a VCR movie lending library as well for participants. Donations of any of those items would be greatly appreciated. The Christmas Boutique also welcomes new or gently used items. Donations can be dropped off at the Municipal Building. Interested, or need more information, just call Coordinator Jayne Conley at (412) 781-6517 or better yet, stop in any day between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm when the Center is in full swing.
Senior Friendship Center
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Seniors, 55 years or older, meet the 1st Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. (Except July and August) to participate in a variety of light-hearted activities. A covered dish luncheon is held twice a year.
Young at Heart
All Saints Church
Anyone 50 or over is invited to join this young at heart group.
Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month with mass at Noon followed by a luncheon and program in the Activity Building. There are also special parties at Easter and Christmas and a spring picnic.