The History of the Spring Arbor Township
Senior Center

In the spring of 1995, the beautiful new Spring Arbor Senior Center opened its doors to provide a place where senior residents of Parma, Concord, Hanover, and Horton, as well as Spring Arbor Township could meet for food, friendship, education, recreation and service. This center became a reality when federal funds were obtained for construction of the building at 122 Starr Road, across the street from Warner Elementary School. Mike Goldsmith, then Supervisor of Spring Arbor Township, was instrumental in obtaining the funds, working with the Township Board to accept the grant and lay out the groundwork for the project. A committee of interested volunteers served on an Advisory Board to formulate the plans.

Charter members of the Advisory Board were Estella Beardslee, David and Dorothy Bortel, Mary Jo Chilcote, June Dodd, Homer and Allene Jackson, Bill and Janet Jaquays, Elwin Johnson, Stan and Evelyn Lyon, and Pat Short. Marce Wandell, of the Jackson County Department on Aging, was appointed as the Center’s first Coordinator. The first officers who were elected on May 25, 1995, were: Mary Jo Chilcote, Chairperson; Bill Jaquays, Vice Chair; Estella Beardslee, Secretary; June Dodd, Treasurer; and Janet Jaquays, Nutrition Representative. Other persons serving as Chair in subsequent years are Bill Jaquays and June Dodd.

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