Senior citizens group marks a milestone
HALFMOON, N.Y. >> The Halfmoon Senior Citizens Association last week celebrated its longevity and deep support in the community with an event far removed from its early beginnings in the basement of the former town hall.
It’s been 30 years since the organization was formed and 25 since members got their own building. The two milestones were celebrated May 12 with a dinner dance at the Fairways of Halfmoon golf course on Johnson Road.
The evening drew a welldressed crowd of 125 that included many of the association’s current members, most of the town board, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko and state Sen. Kathy Marchione.
Also taking part were charter members Norma Morris, Pat Keyrouze and Dot Levine. The three women were present when the association was formed in 1987.
Like the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County which celebrated its 50th anniversary two week ago, those with long memories were amazed at how far the association has come.
The organization was incorporated April 7, 1987, and held its first meeting two weeks later. Meetings and bingo games were held in former town hall court room while the building’s lower level was used as a reception area, lounge, and game room by the association.
In 1989, Supervisor John Dudek appointed a building committee with Gerald “Jud” Morris as chairman. On Dec. 3, 1989, a kickoff fundraiser for the building was held at Phelan’s Banquet
House. One of the first donations the association received was $1,000 check from the Shenendehowa Rotary.
“We needed $50,000,” said Nancy Morris, Jud Morris’ daughter and current association president. “The feedback from people was terrific. It was just a short time between when the letter went out and when construction started.”
Norma Morris, Nancy’s mother, remembers the feeling of elation at seeing the building open three years later.
“It was a dream come true,” she said at the dinner. “All the years we’d been moving around. It was wonderful. It quickly became very busy and it’s still a very busy place. We’ve come a long way.”
Pat Keyrouze recalled what it was like trying to get all the necessary funding needed to apply for a grant.
“It was hard to get it all together but they did it,” she said. “People don’t know how hard it was. Getting $50,000 back then was difficult.”
Today, the association’s membership is more than 1,500 and many members, past and present, were recognized by the speakers at the dinner.
Nancy Morris said the group was formed after an initial survey was sent out to 575 residents to see about establishing a senior citizens association. She recalled the association’s first president, Bill Tansey, saying at the time, “As the town grows so will our organization.”
“They requested $5,000 to get it started and they got the donation from the Youth Commission,” she said. “Through 30 years our Halfmoon Town Board members and supervisors have been there for us and have been our friends. We started out as a family and we are still that family.”
In his after dinner remarks, Tonko, D-Amsterdam, congratulated the organization for its work in improving the quality of life for many seniors.
“One of the major facets important to a quality of life is connection and the connection that is fostered, that is encouraged, by an organization like the senior citizens association,” he said. “It allows an opportunity for people to share, for that socialization which is a big part, I would think, of your getting together. Congratulations on your vision, your growth, your expansion of programs, and your leadership. It is the leadership that has allowed this organization to spread its wings and soar.”
Marchione, R-Halfmoon, was the town clerk and later its supervisor when the senior center opened. She recalled the organization’s formation and how hard many members of the community worked to get the senior center built.
“I want to give credit tonight to (the late town councilman) Walt Polak,” she said.
“Walt was my liaison member to the senior center and worked with Jud Morris on it. Walt gave his heart and soul to the senior center. From what I heard here tonight, it sounds to me like the senior center is 30 years older but still the busiest place in the Capital Region.”