Senior Center receives grant to fund architectural plans
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

"Gypsy Phillips" entertains seniors and town representatives at a luau.

Hudson - Dressed in Hawaiian shirts and feasting on chicken kabobs, members of the Senior Center celebrated July 25 with town representatives at an afternoon luau at the Senior Center in Hudson.

The event, which featured entertainment, raffles and food, kicked off with a sincere "thank you" from Senior Center Director Janice Long on the behalf of the staff and members of the center to Michelle Ciccolo, Hudson's director of community development and State Sen. Pamela P. Resor, DActon, for the $188,000 grant that was recently awarded to the Senior Center.

The grant money, secured through a Community Development Block Grant, will be used for the second phase of the proposed renovated Senior Center. The center is housed in a home built by the Brigham family in 1860; the house is too small and in need of modernization to meet the town's current needs.

In 2006, the Senior Center received a $40,000 donation from the Friends of Hudson Seniors, which allowed for the funding of the first phase - a feasibility study of the property. The study concluded that the existing and projected retired population meant the center needed to expand and become handicappedaccessible.

The $188,000 grant will be used to fund architectural plans for the expansion of the center. Once those plans are completed, Ciccolo will try to obtain a construction grant from the state to finish the project.

The luau, which had nearly 100 attendees, was an example of why the Senior Center needs to be expanded. Long explained that the Senior Center often has to plan large events either outside or at other facilities.

During the luau, Ciccolo commended Long for her outstanding leadership at the Senior Center.

"I was impressed by the show of spirit and enthusiasm of all of the members, the food was spectacular, and I give volunteers a lot of credit for getting up and dancing," Ciccolo said. "Wow, there is so much vibrancy here. I am incredibly impressed with how many people turned out. "

Peggy Ayers, Resor's aide who attended the event in Resor's place, said that she was hopeful for the future of the Senior Center.

"This building has been a wonderful piece of history in Hudson and now it is going to be better utilized," Ayers said.

The seniors were entertained by "Gypsy Phillips," a Northborough-based belly dancer. There are plans to have Phillips teach belly-dancing classes to the seniors in the fall.

For information about programs, events or how to get involved with helping out at the Senior Center, visit the town's Web site at www. townofhudson.net or call 978-568-9638 or 978-568- 9639.