By Janet Stoica

When the former Senior Center Director retired, the position was a great fit for Carole Marchand, Webster’s part-time Recreation Director. Most towns’ Recreation and Senior Centers work hand-in-hand. With her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Marchand was well-prepared to handle the daily activities of the Webster Senior Center. In May 2024, she was approached by the Town Administrator, Rick LaFond, to assume the senior center’s directorship and it has been smooth sailing ever since. Director Marchand now handles both the Recreation and Senior Center Departments. 

Webster never had a Recreation Director until several years ago but when Marchand spoke with the previous Town Administrator, Doug Willardson, he felt she would be a good fit. She took classes in recreation management with other towns to learn more about what should be on her and the town’s agenda. “Some towns do control little leagues and summer camps,” said Marchand, “but that’s with boards made up of seven or eight people. Our Webster residents seem happy with the recreation department activities and our Senior Center attendees appear satisfied with the events currently happening. It’s my second month here and I’m still checking out what our attendees like and don’t like. One of the main concerns is longer hours so now we are open until 4 p.m. We have also changed our opening hours to 9 a.m. as there aren’t too many individuals who arrive before 9.”

Marchand also states that movies are back at the center as of September 4. Additionally, on the first Thursday of the month, there will be new entertainment scheduled for the evening from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. After a dinner hour where seniors are on their own, activities will begin such as music and dancing, magicians, musicians, comedians, and paint nights. There will be light refreshments. New suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. 

“All of our attendees have been super-friendly and welcoming,” says Marchand, “there really haven’t been any challenges to speak of. We have a self check-in kiosk to record those in attendance and are trying to encourage more people to use the check-in. Any time people use our services, it demonstrates our service capabilities and helps toward our state formula grants. The grants are based on the senior population in Webster but it also helps to show the amount of seniors who are using our facility. We are also happy to welcome any senior citizens from any other town.”

Bingo on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. is always a big draw. The games are held until 3:15 p.m. or so and always brings in a big crowd. The game is run like clockwork by their own group of seniors. The center also has pitch leagues, chair dancing, cribbage groups, knitting groups, and mahjong players. The center is also looking at having a casino night. All events are listed in their monthly newsletter which can be reviewed online at www.webster-ma.gov and by navigating to the Senior Center tab. 

“We are currently working with the local and state Councils on Aging to learn about more senior services and what we can offer here,” said Marchand, “everything seems to be going smoothly. Tri-Valley, Inc. of Dudley delivers hot and nutritious meals to us Tuesday – Friday and all seniors are welcome to dine with us for a nominal suggested donation of $3. All are welcome and a two-day notice is required for our meal program. On average we have 30-40 diners daily. We also offer a hot dog or potato or pasta bar often which everyone really seems to enjoy. There are 90 seats in our dining room. We also have a hair salon with very reasonable pricing. Walk-ins are welcome on Wednesdays but Tuesdays and Thursdays are by appointment.

Webster Senior Center, 5 Church Street, Webster MA 01570. Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Phone: (508) 949-3845.