Senior Center closed indefinitely

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — The Newkirk Senior Citizens Center has served the community’s citizens well for many years, and not just for meals and activities for local seniors, but also potluck dinners, alumni reunions and other gatherings. Those meetings have been temporarily halted, however, due to recent COVID-19 outbreaks, and Center leaders will determine in January 2021 when they will reopen

The Center originally closed Nov. 13, with a plan to reopen Nov. 30. The Newkirk City Commission voted Monday, Nov. 23 to stay closed at least until January.

“The COVID-19 numbers are way too high, and we feel like that is the best thing to do,” Center Director Serena Welch said. “We’re going to assess in the middle of January to see what the numbers are, and if it’s safe for the Senior Citizens Center to open back up.”
Although the center will be closed to the public during this time, employees will still offer drive-thru lunches each Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. – noon. No deliveries will be made to homes, and COVID-19 precautions will be taken

“We already wear masks in the kitchen, and Ashley (Longcrier) and I will wear masks to the cars to make it as contactless as possible,” Welch said.

For more information, contact the Center at (580) 362-1409 or Welch at (405) 213-5360