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Familiar faces.

Being greeted by name as you walk in the door.

A place where the coffee is always on, and friends and fun await.

That's what can be found at the Chesaning Young at Heart Club.

Formerly known as the Chesaning Senior Center, the club is boasting a new name in an effort to appeal to more people.

"There are a lot of folks out there that don't know what we have going on here. They just don't know how much fun they're missing out on!," said Center Director Arlene Hemgesberg.

"It's a place to be with friends and have fun instead of sitting home with nothing to do."

The center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to anyone 60 years of age or older.

Lunch and a plethora of activities are offered each day, along with many special activities taking place throughout the month and year including trips to popular tourist destinations.

"We truly have something for everyone," said Hemgesberg.

Those who are involved in the club agree and note that the new name truly reflects what the club is all about.

"We're not only young at heart, but it makes you feel younger to be involved in all these fun activities," stated Sylvia Lake who attends center activities on a regular basis with her husband Richard.

"It's a lot of fun and being with friends always makes life better. Just because we're over 60 doesn't mean we're too old to have fun," she added.

Richard and Sylvia are residents of Owosso who make the drive to Chesaning almost daily to attend club activities.

"Arlene is a great manager, she is a big reason we come here. She has lots of ideas for fun stuff to do and works to get everyone involved," noted Sylvia.

The Lakes were the winners of the contest to rename the club and also designed a t-shirt to promote the club.

"Those that don't come down here just don't know what they're missing!," said Sylvia.

The center offers many activities throughout the week, with regularly scheduled weekly activities that include pool league on Monday's, choir practice on Tuesday's, cards on Wednesday's, exercise class on Thursday's, and movies on Friday's.

Bingo is held on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Monday's pool league is open to both men and women and offers individual and team play. The seasons run from September to December and January to May with certificates being awarded to winners at the completion of each.

The choir performs at several convalescent centers in the area entertaining residents.

Leonard Wefel, a resident of Chesaning who served as a member of the Showboat Chorus and also as an Endman in the 1940's, said he enjoys being involved in the club's choir.

"This gives us an opportunity to stay involved in things we enjoy. The choir is fun, I like it."

But he admits that the food is what he really comes for.

"Where can you go to get a hot, good, well-balanced meal for $2 these days? I eat all week for $10. I can't do that at any restaurant."

Lunch is served everyday at noon and consists of a hot, well-balanced, nutritious meal planned by Saginaw County's expert nutritionist according to state guidelines for senior nutrition.

A calendar listing the menu for every day of the month is available at the center and is also published weekly in the Tri-County Citizen.

Certified athletic trainers from Memorial Healthcare lead Thursday's exercise class.

Many monthly activities are also held.

Once a month the center hosts a painting class which is led by Acrylic Landscape Artist Steve Wood. Wood is the host of the popular cable show "Anyone Can Paint" and also operates The Art Studio in Swartz Creek.

"You don't have to be a great painter to enjoy this opportunity," noted Hemgesberg. "I had never even painted before, it's just so much fun."

Cost of the class is $20 and includes the lesson, along with the canvas and all paints.

Nutrition Education Days are also held once a month focusing on a variety of topics.

The upcoming session is scheduled for Wednesday, November 21 with special guest Dr. Roger Kahn who will address the topic of Medication and Nutrient Interactions.

The club holds parties at all major holidays. The most recent, a Halloween party, saw attendees donning costumes and dancing to music provided by Cliff Wager of Chesaning.

Once a month a birthday party celebration is held. Anyone having a birthday within that particular month is featured as a guest of honor.

Many other activities are available such as computer classes, sewing and quilting, games, Victorian tea parties, a book club and book exchange, the friendship club, and many more.

A new session of computer classes begins on Monday, November 26. Spots are still available for anyone interested.

Special trips are also a big part of the club. Trips are planned several times a year and have recently included the Farm Museum at Coopersville, Canterbury Village, the Frederick Meijer Gardens, and Cornwell's Turkeyville.

The clubs next trip is scheduled for Saturday, December 1. The club will be going to the fabulous Temple Theatre in Saginaw to see the Song of the Lakes Chorus Christmas show.

The day's itinerary includes an 11:30 departure, lunch at noon at the Horizon Trillium Banquet Center, the show at 3 p.m., and a trip to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Cost is $45 per person and includes the round trip bus transportation, lunch, and the show. Tickets are still available by calling 845-6565 for a reservation.

Hemgesberg said the center, which is operated under the Saginaw County Commission on Aging, is funded through the state based on use and participation in the meal program is vital in order to keep the center open.

"People don't know what a vital part of this community the center is. It's important to make sure it keeps functioning. We need folks to come out for lunch and help us keep it going."

The center is located at 218 Church Street in Chesaning, directly behind the Memorial Healthcare offices.

For more information on the club or its activities, call Hemgesberg at 845-6565.

The "Young at Heart Club"

It's fun when we're all together

The times when smiles show

The caring and the sharing

The fun that we all know

Shoulders to be leaned on

When feelings change to sad

And help each other remember

All the good times we've had

It's nice to know there's someone

Friends I know are near

Friends to share the happy times

Friends to share my tears

By Richard Lake