Photos by Deb Gau. Elaine Sandquist consults with Janice Drietz during a game of “Hand, Knee and Foot” at the Adult Community Center’s open house on Tuesday.
MARSHALL – There is a lot going on at the Marshall Adult Community Center, but Tuesday afternoon was especially busy.
At tables set up around the center, residents played canasta, dominoes, yahtzee and much more.
The “Games Exhibition” was just one way members of the Marshall Area Senior Citizens (MASC) group encouraged seniors to meet people and have fun. For the past 40 years, MASC has brought people together, members said.
“It’s like a family here,” said Joyce Greeley, MASC board member.
On Tuesday, MASC celebrated the 40th anniversary of the group’s founding. The celebration began with a luncheon hosted by Lutheran Social Services and sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, the Hitching Post and McLaughlin Farms. MASC members highlighted events such as gaming sessions during an open house. And later, there was an outdoor performance by Duel Purpose Dueling Pianos.
“It is an opportunity to celebrate 40 years, but also to share everything that the community center has to offer,” said ACC coordinator Katie Brusven.
MASC was founded in 1984, but its mission goes back much further, Brusven said. In the 1960s, a group of Marshallese women began “Trapped” in the community. Their project eventually led to the founding of MASC. Today, MASC and ACC facilitate a wide range of programs, from exercise and health groups to lectures and regular card and game sessions.
Among the guests at the anniversary dinner were Mary Jacobson and Gail Bethune, who also stayed to view the games exhibition.
“Everything was really delicious,” Jacobson said about the food. Jacobson said she also told Bethune about the different activities at the ACC.
“We do many things,” she said.
Greeley said many community members are surprised by the many different things that happen at ACC. It was nice to be able to share some of the MASC activities with people at the open house.
“It’s a great place,” Carol Nienkerk said about the ACC.
