Weekend Gardner News

New Templeton Senior Center director brings vision for future Loveless focused on activities, services for senior citizens

News staff photo by KERRY O’BRIEN Bethany Loveless recently began working as the town’s Senior Center director. Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer TEMPLETON — Full of fresh ideas and ready for the next generation of seniors, new Senior Center Director Bethany Loveless began her work for the town this week. “She has a lot of energy and a lot of good ideas,” said Council on Aging employee Pam Landry. “I feel like I’m unique in general,”  Ms. Loveless said. “I try to be upbeat and I hope the seniors find me to be that way.” Although activities at the 135 Patriots Road senior center are hindered by space limitations, Ms. Loveless — the former Groton Senior Center coordinator and Pepperell assistant director and activities coordinator — has her work cut out for her with a new senior center in the works that’s expected to open in the late winter. “My goal and vision is to do whatever we can do to get the new senior center up and running as soon as possible,” she said. “Because I have such strong program experience, I know what we can fill the new building with.” Ms. Loveless added that her focus is to offer a range of activities and services so there is something that appeals to everyone. “Everyone has different needs that we need to respond to,” she said. “It’s easy to focus on one age group. When we think elders, we think of someone in a rocker, a great grandparent, someone in their 80s, but that misses the fact that we’re serving people in their 60s, in their 70s, and also a few in their 90s and over 100 years old. The seniors are just as individual as any other age group and they want to do different things.” Former director Eileen Clarkson — who left for a position in Gardner — improved upon the town’s transportation services. Currently, the center continues to perform around 20 transports a day. “That’s something that jumped out at me about what this town has,” she said. “We have an excellent staff.” The senior center currently offers seniors with support in arranging services and resources that are available to them, the senior tax work-off program, daily meals, transportation services, and several activities weekly. They also oversee the food pantry and the meals and wheels program. The senior center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ms. Loveless said she wants to hear from the community about what they want from her. She plans to attend the upcoming Templeton Arts and Crafts Fair on Aug. 17, for that reason. “I’m eager to get the community’s input,” she said. Ms. Loveless is also seeking people from throughout the area that have a talent or hobby they’d be willing to share at the senior center. She can be contacted at 978-632-4592 or coadirector@templeton1.org.