McKenzie Senior Citizens Center: Making the Golden Years Great

The McKenzie Senior Citizens Center was established in January 1984 with 423 charter members.

The first board included President W.O. Warren, Vice President Ernestine McClure, Secretary Jessie Hartzfeld and members Edd Wallace, Joe Gooch, J.A. Abernathy and Willard Brush.

Carol Armpriest has served as president of the center's board since 2020. She and her husband Scott moved to McKenzie in 2018. At that time, activities at the center were limited to monthly bingo, a monthly potluck, card-playing twice a month and billiards every day, the latter being a draw for Scott.

When the previous board retired in early 2020, Carol and then-vice president Tammy Host took the reins.

"We wanted to do more, bring some fresh ideas," Carol told The Banner. That goal has yielded an explosion of activity in the years since.

Exercise classes are offered each weekday, including yoga on Mondays, low impact cardio on Tuesdays, fitness drums on Wednesdays, stretching and toning on Thursdays and cardio on Fridays.

Weekly activities include music jam sessions on Tuesdays and organized game sessions throughout the week, including dominos and canasta.

The center offers even more on a monthly basis. Bingo is played twice, once during the day and once in the evening. Seniors can attend a movie at the Park Theatre on a select day for $5, including popcorn and a drink. A craft class is held monthly, typically presented by Host. There's a dance party on the first Saturday of each month with music provided by Larry Morgan.

Every other month, a cake walk fundraiser is held.

Every four months there is a pool tournament.

Each October, the center hosts a pancake breakfast as a major fundraiser.

Each year, in February or March, a cookoff is held with a different theme. This year featured pies and cobblers, with Mabel Plank earning Best Overall.

And for all the activities offered in the building, the center is just that, the "center" of operations. The members themselves take their fellowship on the road regularly. Many own motorcycles, and groups regularly take short, organized excursions. Recent destinations include Drifter's Diner in Lavinia, Lake Halford in Leach, Wimpy's Corner in Greenfield and Sirloin Stockade in Murray. Each of those trips saw at least a dozen bikes and cars join the convoy.

The senior center is a self-supporting entity, funded mainly through fundraisers and member dues ($30 per year or $150 for a lifetime membership).

The City of McKenzie owns the building and donates the usage, so the club doesn't have a monthly rent payment.

Not all of the club's fundraising goes directly to fun activities and upkeep, much is given back to the community through various philanthropic efforts.

The second annual spaghetti dinner was recently held. Last year, funds benefitted United Neighbors. This year, the proceeds will be used for broader community outreach.

Last December, the club provided Christmas gifts for a dozen residents at The Waters.

The center hosts its third annual shrimp boil on Saturday, June 7. From 5-6 p.m., shrimp is all-you-can-eat for $20. A block party is from 4-7 p.m. featuring live music, dancing and games. W.O. Warren Drive, adjacent to the center, will be blocked off for the event. Tickets for shrimp should be purchased by May 30.

The shrimp boil is sponsored by Verne Plank of Jackson, son of member Mabel Plank. He donates and cooks the shrimp.

The event is a fundraiser for the annual banquet held each summer. The catered banquet, held at the Carroll County Civic Center, is free to members and features live music by Flashback.

Carol recently announced another new venture for the club, a "bikini car wash" sometime this summer, though the club president has thus far been tight-lipped on details.

Besides the expansion of activities, the building itself is in the midst of a years-long revitalization.

The center was built on a landfill in the 1950s, originally serving as a Western Auto. Over time, the front of the building sank. It was filled in some years ago, but in May 2024, it sank again. Two large windows cracked, one of which will be replaced and the other eliminated.

The center will be closed the last week of May for those repairs, along with floor work and painting.

Aside from those necessary projects, a kitchen remodel was completed in 2020, and new signage is in the works.

The current board includes President Carol Armpriest, Vice President Kelly Frye, Tammy Host, Nancy Davenport, Mabel Plank, Dwayne Hollowell and Kathie Crider.

The club has 104 total active members, including 42 lifetime members.