Farmington Center Director Moves On

McCLELLAND WILL STILL HELP SENIORS

FARMINGTON — Lisa McClelland, director of Farmington Senior Activity and Wellness Center, enjoyed her last few days in Farmington last week before she moves on to a new position with Area Agency on Aging.

McClelland on Monday moved to the Fayetteville office as care coordinator and will assist seniors with services they need. Tina Batlle, Lincoln Senior Center director, is transferring to Farmington in the near future and the Area Agency on Aging is interviewing applicants to fill Batlle’s spot in Lincoln.

“I will still get to help seniors everyday,” McClelland said. “That’s what I like to do.”

McClelland has been Farmington’s site director for four years and said the center is like a big family.

“I love the Farmington seniors,” McClelland said. “They are all so friendly and they are just like family with each other. They want to come to the center to socialize and like to have fun. That’s what we’ve tried to do everyday.”

The monthly activity calendar for Farmington’s senior center is full. In January, senior adults play beanbag baseball on Mondays, have several exercise classes throughout the week, live music and opportunities to play games such as Dominoes, Bingo and Pitch.

They will have a potluck and dance with the band, OK Country, at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21.

A hot meal is served for lunch each weekday and the January menu shows lunches that include roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans and pork loin, sweet potatoes and mixed vegetables. The suggested donation for meals for those 60 years of age and older is $3.

Hattie Foster, of Farmington, said she does not blame McClelland for accepting her new position but said she’ll miss her at the Farmington center.

Bonnie Beeks, of Farmington, has been involved with the senior center since it first started in the former City Hall building on Rheas Mill Road.

“Lisa has always been so sweet and kind to everyone. She’s good with the seniors and good with the employ- ees too,” Beeks said.

Paul Chambers moved to Farmington about four years ago and began coming to the center. He recently moved to Fayetteville but still travels to Farmington to be with his friends.

“Lisa always tells you to do what’s best for you,” Chambers said, adding McClelland works hard and puts in many hours to help senior adults.

For Sue Ryan, of Farmington, the center has become a second family. Her husband passed away two years ago and she started coming for fellowship and socialization.

“They made me feel so welcome,” Ryan said.

Batlle, who previously served as Farmington’s center director from 20092012, said she is looking forward to returning to Farmington.

“I’m so excited. It’s homecoming for me. I’ve loved it here and love these seniors here but the comfort of your home community is a big deal,” said Batlle, who lives in Farmington.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Senior adults in the area stayed warm last week while playing the card game, Pitch, at the Farmington Senior Activity and Wellness Center. Betty Strahan, of Fayetteville, left, Hattie Foster of Farmington, center director Lisa McClelland and Sonny...

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Bonnie Beeks, of Farmington, looks over her hand for the card game, Pitch. She and other senior adults were playing cards at the Farmington Senior Activity and Wellness Center last week. The goal of Pitch is to score the most points by winning tricks.