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Saxeville Dining Center volunteers gathered for a volunteer recognition event in 2012. The Saxeville Dining Center originally started on a trial basis in 2005 at the request of the Saxeville Town Board. Volunteers originally ran the site under the guidance of then Nutrition Program Manager, Carrie Spees. The Saxeville Dining Center has remained open twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, and is housed at the Saxeville Town Hall. Volunteers remain essential in assisting with set up, serving, and washing dishe -
Long-term volunteer, Dorothy Hein, contributes an average of 150 hours annually at the Wild Rose Dining Center assisting with setting tables and serving food. She also assists with distributing the monthly newsletter when she is able to ride her bicycle around town. -
The newsletter assembly crew has been gathering once a month at the Courthouse for years to prepare the “Loose Ends,” now “The Source,” for countywide distribution, only taking a forced break during the heat of the pandemic. This group typically meets the last Tuesday of the month in the morning. -
Kay Walters volunteered her time at the Wautoma meal site in the 90s. -
Arnold Williams and Kay Walters at the Wautoma Meal Site in the 90s.
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The Waushara County of Aging and Disability Services have been providing beneficial resources to our seniors and those with disabilities for 50 years. On March 26, 1974 the Waushara County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 49 to establish the creation of the Commission on Aging.
The start of the ordinance reads as:
“WHEREAS, the older people of Waushara County are now and have long been contributing embers to this County’s social and economic well-being. In order that these members are able to be a vital part and in order to meet their unique needs, increased planning and services must be provided.”
This is where the Commission on Aging started; giving oversight to programs and services administered by the Department of Aging Services, recently renamed the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Seniors from across the county have access to essential programs to support independent living.
In October of 1977, Waushara County was able to start their participating in the Older American Act Elder Nutrition Program. This brought the start of the home-delivered meals and congregate meal programs.
Meals are served at eight dining centers located across the county: Wautoma, Wild Rose, Redgranite, Saxeville, Plainfield, Poy Sippi, Coloma, and Hancock. The home-delivered meal program also provides nutritional meals, right at your doorstep. Meals are available for anyone 60+ and an accompanying spouse of any age. The Dept. of Aging has also been able to collaborate with generous community organizations to bring new programs and services to the area.
In the early days of the department, seniors participated in a phone buddy program with local students. In 2023, the department began working with the Wautoma A+ Program for their Intergenerational Pen Pal Program. This program was introduced to help foster connections between senior adults and elementary school students, while students are able to build reading, writing, and communication skills.
Seniors are also given the chance to participate in technology programs, foot care clinic, receive home repairs through the Volunteer Senior Home Program (VSHRP), and much more.
Community members have the chance to make an impact on the next three years of services for older adults and individuals with disabilities during the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Waushara County Department of Aging and Disability Services.
On Wednesday, April 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. the Department of Aging invites you to “pop-in” to help celebrate not only their 50th Anniversary, but also to say a fond farewell to the Waushara County Courthouse building before it closes at the end of May. Stop in for a few minutes or make it a day trip.
Reminisce about the days gone by with courthouse tours and photographs, while also providing your ideas about what is needed today to support independent living tomorrow, and years to come.
“Progress is impossible without change,” stated Debbie Paavola, Dept. of Aging Director for the past 22 years. “As this department has done for 50 years, we will continue to take strides to be in a position to most effectively provide advocacy, and program and services to the people who need them. Your input is needed to help in the next three year planning process.”
Justice Jon Wilcox will provide courthouse tours and Mary Kunasch will be on-hand for pictures to memorialize your day. Celebrate the past with the Historical Society and prepare for the future as Ruth Zouski, Corporation Counsel, shares potential plans for the courthouse. Throughout the day you will have the chance to learn more about the history of the Dept. of Aging with both Debbie Paavola, current department director, and Gail Schwersenska, director during the early years for over 16 years.
Celebrate 50 years of Waushara County Department of Aging and Disability Services with a full schedule of events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17 at the Waushara County Courthouse.
The start of the ordinance reads as:
“WHEREAS, the older people of Waushara County are now and have long been contributing embers to this County’s social and economic well-being. In order that these members are able to be a vital part and in order to meet their unique needs, increased planning and services must be provided.”
This is where the Commission on Aging started; giving oversight to programs and services administered by the Department of Aging Services, recently renamed the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Seniors from across the county have access to essential programs to support independent living.
In October of 1977, Waushara County was able to start their participating in the Older American Act Elder Nutrition Program. This brought the start of the home-delivered meals and congregate meal programs.
Meals are served at eight dining centers located across the county: Wautoma, Wild Rose, Redgranite, Saxeville, Plainfield, Poy Sippi, Coloma, and Hancock. The home-delivered meal program also provides nutritional meals, right at your doorstep. Meals are available for anyone 60+ and an accompanying spouse of any age. The Dept. of Aging has also been able to collaborate with generous community organizations to bring new programs and services to the area.
In the early days of the department, seniors participated in a phone buddy program with local students. In 2023, the department began working with the Wautoma A+ Program for their Intergenerational Pen Pal Program. This program was introduced to help foster connections between senior adults and elementary school students, while students are able to build reading, writing, and communication skills.
Seniors are also given the chance to participate in technology programs, foot care clinic, receive home repairs through the Volunteer Senior Home Program (VSHRP), and much more.
Community members have the chance to make an impact on the next three years of services for older adults and individuals with disabilities during the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Waushara County Department of Aging and Disability Services.
On Wednesday, April 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. the Department of Aging invites you to “pop-in” to help celebrate not only their 50th Anniversary, but also to say a fond farewell to the Waushara County Courthouse building before it closes at the end of May. Stop in for a few minutes or make it a day trip.
Reminisce about the days gone by with courthouse tours and photographs, while also providing your ideas about what is needed today to support independent living tomorrow, and years to come.
“Progress is impossible without change,” stated Debbie Paavola, Dept. of Aging Director for the past 22 years. “As this department has done for 50 years, we will continue to take strides to be in a position to most effectively provide advocacy, and program and services to the people who need them. Your input is needed to help in the next three year planning process.”
Justice Jon Wilcox will provide courthouse tours and Mary Kunasch will be on-hand for pictures to memorialize your day. Celebrate the past with the Historical Society and prepare for the future as Ruth Zouski, Corporation Counsel, shares potential plans for the courthouse. Throughout the day you will have the chance to learn more about the history of the Dept. of Aging with both Debbie Paavola, current department director, and Gail Schwersenska, director during the early years for over 16 years.
Celebrate 50 years of Waushara County Department of Aging and Disability Services with a full schedule of events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17 at the Waushara County Courthouse.