Getting social in Elgin

SENIORS ENJOY GAMES on Thursdays at the Community Center. Seated are (left) Shirley Keating, Virginia Hug, Jessica Evans, Peggy Hayes and Maureen Smolkowski. TRISH YERGES photo

Whether it’s playing board games, light exercising, dancing to a live band or eating lunch, the Elgin Social Club will serve it up every Thursday at the Community Center.

The Elgin Social Club was incorporated in November 2010 after Community Connection discontinued serving senior meals on Thursdays.

The club applied for its own 501(c)(3) status and is still waiting on its approval. However, the club is presently able to operate under an umbrella provision with the Elgin Economic Development and Growth Endeavor organization.

The club’s officers include president George Kraus, vice-president and cook Shirley Kirk, and treasurer Myrna Davis.

Every Thursday, the group opens the Community Center doors at 9:30 a.m. for some light exercise and board games like Scrabble, dominos and Mexican Train. At about 10:30 a.m., the band arrives and starts playing. They include Bethel Croghan on piano, her daughter Tammy Croghan on guitar, Bob Wiles Sr. on the harmonica, John Davis on guitar and Marjorie Harris on the drums.

“Musicians are welcome to join the bunch,” said Myrna Davis. “That’s always a welcome thing. We’d like to see more come for lunch. It’s a good deal and a good time to socialize with neighbors.”

Vice president and volunteer cook Shirley Kirk arrives at the center at 7:30 a.m. to start preparing the two homemade soups and salad. Around 10:30, her helpers from a church or service organization come in to help make sandwiches if they are on the menu.

Last Thursday’s menu was chicken rice soup, chili with a green salad and mini cupcakes for dessert. Kirk’s helpers were Beth Inskow and Diana Eberhard from the Palmer Valley Neighbors group.

“We’ve been serving about 40 people lately,” said Kirk. “On the first Thursday of each month, we have a potluck, and I make the meat.”

The Elgin Social Club’s Thursday activities are open to the whole community, not just seniors, Kirk said.

The center does not charge the club rent because it is open to everyone, and this helps keep lunch costs down. Lunches are $3.50 for adults and $2 for children younger than 10.

Because they are independently operated, Kirk said there is another advantage.

“There are no government rules we have to follow because we’re not connected with Community Connections,” she said.

Community support has been helpful.

The club received a freezer as a donation, and the Elgin Food Bank helped them fill it, Kirk said.

“Any food left over from Wednesday’s Food Bank give-away is sent here to be taken home (by those in attendance).”

The club is in a good financial state, Kirk said.

Lunch fees cover expenses adequately and Kirk said she is reimbursed for everything she buys to make the meals.

“The club’s bank account is strong enough to invest something back into the community, said treasurer Davis. “So we bought two more round tables and a storage stand for the tables.”

These items will be available at the center for any event requiring their use.

“We are pretty self-sufficient and the community is pretty supportive,” said president Kraus. “We would like to welcome people from the community to join us. The fellowship is fantastic, and Shirley is an excellent cook.”

The Thursday meals are held every week during the year, and children are especially welcome to eat on Thursdays during summer break from school.

“During the summer, people bring their children and grandchildren,” said Kraus. “If anyone has a need, come and talk to us.”