Senior Citizens' Guild Marking End Of Decade

Two celebrations next week will mark the close of the first decade of the Ann Arbor Senior Citizens' Guild and announcement of its goals for the second. Past and present members of the Guild board of directors will host the University's 19th annual conference on the Aging at a reception Tuesday at the North Campus Commons. A buffet dinLfcer for the board and other Guild associates, sponsored by 'the planning committee of the conference, will follow. Orson Bird, president of the board of directors, will present citations for outstanding leadership; Ralph C. Wenrich, former board member, will summarize "highlights of the first decade," and Mrs. Frederick Poole, executive director of the Guild, will preview the expanded programs and services p 1 a n n e d for the next 10 years. Mayor Wendell Hulcher will be master of ceremonies. From 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday - "Decade D a y" - all senior Guild members and guests will attend a reception at the center at 502 W. Huron. Recipients of life memberships in the Guild will be announced, and past and future aims of the organization will be discussed. The idea for a senior citizens' center pickediip steam at a meeting of ljfesons in February, 1956. Vmr Paul Wagner, chairman and first president, iho diild fnrmaliv opened May with 12 voíünteers recruited to ' visit 300 persons. Noted throughout the records of the first 10 years were volunteer services of such local organizations as the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Auxiliary, Kiwanis, Collegiate Sorosis, Altrusa and women's and garden clubs, as well as local industries. With the completion ■ of the j present senior citizens' center! (also largely through volunteerj efforts), the Guild developèd plans for patio furnishing and landscaping. The staff has received contributions for .al memory garden in the forra of plants or trees left by or in memory of late members of the Guild. The immediate fall program will include continuation of discussion groups, bridge, furniture refinishing, potluck suppers, classes in art, knitting and lip reading. Outdoor s t u d y groups, trips, and programs that may be brought into the homes of shut-ins are also being planned. Additional activities are provided by the Recreation Department. A three-year grant from the Michigan Commission of Aging has made an Information, Counseling and Referral staff and service available. An organiza-, tion of "Friends of the Guildi is also being organized. Transportation for would-be participants and financial in.. debtedness continue_tg__be th&j