Glenview Senior Center 50th Anniversary Celebration

Senior Center

Senior Center | Senior Center Membership | Senior Club History | 50th Anniversary Celebration

Address:		2400 Chestnut Ave Glenview, IL 60026 (847) 724-4793		Hours:		Mon.-Fri. 9 am-4 pm
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Glenview Senior Center Celebrates
50th Anniversary

Glenview, Il, September 12, 2008 - The Glenview Senior Center culminated a year of 50th Anniversary activities which started in Sept. 2007 with a gala reception held at the Glenview Senior Center on Friday, September 12. The event took place from 4 to 7 pm and was attended by close to 250 people including Park Board members and staff, Village officials, School District 34 officials, Glenview Senior Center members and representatives from a number of senior housing facilities and other senior-related businesses.

The Glenview Senior Center, which provides dozens of programs and activities for adults 55 and older, was founded in October 1958 under the direction of Joyce Pottinger. The group has grown from its original 11 members to over 1500 and has been under the supervision of Joyce Pottinger for the entire 50 years of its existence.

Among the highlights of the evening was a short video showing the history of the Senior Center. Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger was presented with a certificate showing that a star had been named in her honor from the Glenview Park District. The park district also presented the Senior Center with a bronze sculpture depicting a senior seated on a park bench speaking to a child which will be placed near the Senior Center entrance.

View the video of the Senior Center's history

Senior Center Makes Difference in Lives of Glenview Students
In its continuing tradition of making a difference in the community, the Glenview Senior center presented signed copies of the History of the Glenview Naval Air Station by local historian Beverly Dawson to District schoolchildren in September 2007. The presentation took place at the Attea Middle School library where Attea students accepted the donation on behalf of all School District 34 students. Each elementary school received one copy of the book and each middle school received two copies. The purpose of this donation is to make sure that future generations understand the history and the important role the Glenview Naval Air Station served as a military base in the latter part of the 20th century.

District 34 Superintendent Gerald Hill welcomed students and dignitaries, followed by remarks from Glenview Park District Commissioner Bill Casey and Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger. Glenview Senior Center President George Kunzmann spoke about the history of the naval air station and presented the books to the students.

Glenview Senior Center, Senior Center Director Honored by Village of Glenview
Village of Glenview Board of Trustees honored the Glenview Senior Center/Club and Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger At its October 2, 2007 meeting, the Village of Glenview Board of Trustees honored the Glenview Senior Center and Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger for 50 years of making a difference in the community.

In her presentation to Senior Center President George Kunzmann, Village President Kerry Cummings cited the Center's tremendous impact on Glenview's older adults, its extensive fundraising efforts to benefit the park district and the Glenview Park District Leisureship Fund, and its generosity of time in volunteer and charitable efforts including Sewing for Charity, Pack for Iraq and intergenerational programs.

Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger was recognized for her 50 years of leadership of the Glenview Park District's Senior programs, including the founding of the Senior Center with 11 members in 1958 and its growth to 1500 members under her direction.

President Cummings thanked Mrs. Pottinger and the Senior Club for their contribution to making Glenview a wonderful place to live. A reception was held for Senior Center representatives and Mrs. Pottinger prior to the Village Board meeting.

Musical Revue Special Programs, Awards Recognize Senior Center’s 50th Anniversary
As part of the Glenview Senior Center’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration, Senior Center members have enjoyed several special entertainment programs and received awards from two statewide recreation organizations.

On September 20, 2007 the Musical Revue, a popular North Shore choral group, presented “A Glimpse of Gershwin” to a packed house of over 300 seniors. This program, which featured a 50¢ admission fee (a flashback to 1958 prices), was co-sponsored by Chestnut Square at The Glen and Bethany Terrace Health & Rehabilitation Center.

On November 2, 2007 renowned book dramatist Barbara Rinella captivated an audience of over 300 with her interpretation of “Margaret Thatcher: The Downing Street Years.” The co-sponsor of this event was Glenview Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

On January 27, 2008 center members were entertained by the big band sounds of Marcy Knight and the Night Express, again co-sponsored by Chestnut Square at The Glen and Bethany Terrace Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Continuing in the Senior Club’s 50 year tradition of giving, part of the proceeds of these events were donated in the name of the Senior Center and event sponsors to the Glenview Park District Leisureship Fund which helps pay recreation program fees for children in financial need.

A special highlight of the year occurred on December 7, 2007 when WGN Radio’s “Kathy & Judy Show” broadcast their show live from the Lakeview Room at Park Center as one of that radio station’s “Hometown Voices” remote broadcasts. Many club members and other guests took advantage of this opportunity to see the spirited and sometimes humorous discussions of these two energetic radio personalities in person.

WGN's Kathy & Judy On Saturday, January 26, 2007, the Glenview Park District Senior Center was recognized with a special award honoring its 50th anniversary from the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) during the organization’s annual business meeting at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. IAPD is a nonprofit service, research and educational organization representing more than 350 park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies throughout Illinois. The annual business meeting is held in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park and Recreation Association conference.

IAPD SR. Recognition The award was accepted by Glenview Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger, and Senior Center President George Kunzmann. Also representing park district were Executive Director Chuck Balling and Park Board Commissioner Judy Beck.

At the February 28, 2007 meeting of the Glenview Park Board of Commissioners, Senior Center Director Pottinger and Center President Kunzmann were presented with an Illinois Park and Recreation Association Community Service Award. These awards are given to organizations and individuals who make outstanding contributions to their park district through employment, volunteerism, services, monetary support and other activities. Throughout its 50 years of existence, the Center's volunteer board has taken an active role in providing seniors with recreational and social opportunities and organizing volunteer activities in the community. Glenview Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger and Senior Center President George Kunzmann were also presented with a special resolution honoring the Center’s 50-year partnership with the Glenview Park District.