Dear Sirs: Sitting serenely among the trees off Turner Lake Road in Covington, you will find one of the best kept secrets in Newton County, the Newton County Senior Center. At this site a diverse population of seniors find ever-expanding opportunities for personal enrichment, healthy socialization, friendship, joy and independence. The pleasant and fun atmosphere keeps seniors both challenged and motivated. It is a place where the monthly calendar is filled with a h ost of activities, ranging from physical exercise to artistic painting, ceramic classes to organized walking, acting and singing to nutritional classes, fellowship, dancing, choir to book club, puzzle solving, card playing and dominoes, blood pressure checks to quilting, special events and organized trips.

The center is a focal point and home away from home. It is a place where the staff under the leadership of Director Josephine Brown is disciplined, innovative, loving and kind. Teresa William, assistant director, and Freda Reed, senior administrative specialist and activities coordinator, with the assistance of paid staff, college and community volunteers manage to meet our needs as seniors, although often under trying circumstances and with a lack of space. They see to it that we are mentally stimulated and have community interaction and recreational participation. It is not until you reach the "golden age," that you realize how important it is to have programs that eliminate individual isolation, depression and decline in the senior population.

On behalf of the seniors at the center and as the president of the site council, I wish to proudly and publically affirm our appreciation for Ms. Brown, her staff and volunteers for their patience, compassion, understanding, dedication and sacrifice. I encourage you to do whatever you can to support the center while remembering you too will be a senior one day. The seed you and plant and nourish today will produce the plant harvested tomorrow.