County program for seniors now in Wega city hall

By Angie Landsverk

Weyauwega-Fremont Nutrition Site meals will begin being served in the Weyauwega Community Room on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

“Home delivered meals will go out from here as well,” said Shani Appleby, Weyauwega’s site manager.

For about the past three years, the site’s location has been at First Presbyterian Church.

The completion of the city’s municipal building project, which includes a new community room, offered the opportunity to move the nutrition site to a new location.

“The new setting is more open,” Appleby said. “It has good lighting, good access.”

Located at 109 E. Main St., the nutrition site is open Monday through Friday and begins serving lunch for its congregate at 11:30 a.m.

Parking is available on Main Street, as well as in the blacktop paved lot behind the municipal building, with some handicap parking stalls as well, she said.

The parking lot is located off of Alfred Street.

Lakeview Manor caters the meals.

The cost of the meal is $7.35.

The minimal donation requested for the meal is $4, Appleby said.

However, those who are age 60 and over are told to give what they can, she said.

“We want to encourage people to come in,” Appleby said.

Sometimes a family member joins a senior citizen.

Those who are under age 60 have to pay the full $7.35 cost of the meal, she said.

Reservations for the dine-in meal must be made by 12;30 p.m. on the previous day.

People may do so by calling the site at 920-867-3213.

The county-wide nutrition program began in the 1970s.

Anita Ursin-Towns became the first director of the Waupaca County Nutrition Program in 1977.

Appleby said the W-F Nutrition Site is one of seven such sites in the county.

The others are in Waupaca, Iola-Scandinavia, Manawa, New London, Clintonville and Manawa.

“The site managers are always excited to see new faces,” she said.

Each site is also always looking for additional volunteers, Appleby said.

Those interesting in volunteering at one of the sites may call Kristine Wiegman at 715-258-6277.

Appleby encourages seniors who have not yet gone to a meal to consider doing so.

“The meals are very nutritious and hearty,” she said. “You’re not only getting a good meal but socialization. It’s an opportunity to come down and visit people of all ages and have a good conversation. We start serving at 11:30 a.m., but people come early, the coffee is always ready.”

Bingo is played on the third Wednesday of every month.

“In December, it will be on the 7th, 21st and 28th, because December is National Bingo Month,” Appleby said.

She also wants to begin offering a toenail clinic and said on Nov. 17, Terry Harrington will talk about basic emergency kits and pet care.

Topics of programs planned thus far for 2017 include Waupaca County’s K9 Unit, funeral planning and nutrition.

Appleby wants to start other activities as well, including Sheepshead and coloring for adults.

She also serves on the Weyauwega Common Council and reminds residents and civic groups that the Community Room is available for rent at $20 per hour or $80 per day.

Televisions and other miscellaneous items are available for $25, she said.

People may contact city hall at 920-867-2630 for additional information.