Senior Center at the Heart of Caribou Community

“A ‘History of a Building,’ one must first understand, is that the building itself is only the functional part of our Heritage.  One must understand the community’s needs, and the ‘dreams’ and ‘ambitions’ of the builders of the edifice to gain the genuine historical value,” Mable Ruud wrote in 1976.  She wrote it about the building that is currently the site of the Caribou County Senior Center in downtown Soda Springs, and requested that it be read to guests at the Senior Center Christmas party that same year.  The quote is only the beginning of a lengthy overview of the building’s history, but it’s the sentiment that captures Ruud’s feelings about the Senior Center and the town she loved.  Ruud passed away four short months later in April of 1977, having left behind a great deal of affection for both the building and the Senior Center.  Surely, Ruud would agree that building, which was once the site of Gorton’s General Mercantile and Stockmen’s Supply Co., continues to be very responsive to the community’s needs, and that much of its current value is in preserving exactly the history
she valued.  

Currently, the Senior Center is overseen by Director ShaLayne Bartschi, who brings a lot of dedication and experience to the position.  Along with Assistant Director Melissa McDowell, Bartschi has a packed schedule, which involves managing the many services provided by the Center, coordinating the food production and delivery, maintaining connections with the Center’s clientele, and being ready for the unexpected on a daily basis.  It’s a big job, but it is suggested by the Senior Center’s mission statement, which reads: “To provide nutritious meals, health information, physical activities, and social interaction for Caribou County senior citizens that exceed community expectations.”  It’s worth pointing out that setting out to exceed expectations is a noble, but lofty ambition.  The constant, happy buzz of activity in the building is good indicator that expectations are, in fact, frequently exceeded.

As something of a gathering spot for members of the community, a lot goes on at the Center, and a lot of people make their way through it during the week.  In addition to opportunities for casual conversation, the Center also hosts weekly dance classes and card games for anyone interested in learning or joining in.  There is always something going on.

In testament to her multi-tasking abilities while explaining some aspects of the building’s history, Bartschi deftly handled several phone calls about meal services, chatted with a frequent visitor who was looking for a particular item in the thrift store, consulted with Patsy Tarbet about the menu, congratulated her daughter on a new job, and talked to Craig Boswell about the ceiling, which had started dripping. All while preparing silverware for the next day’s meal.  

There are always things that are in need of maintenance or repair in a building of its age.  The building was built in 1890, and has been added to, remodeled, and worked on almost ever since.  Bartschi believes that there are potentially two more ceilings above the main one in the building.  At present, there is some water dripping from the ceiling, which is believed to be from condensation resulting from the rapid changes between cold and heat throughout the day.  Floods, utility problems, and other calamities have played their part over the years, as they do in any building, old or otherwise.

The building is  leased through the county, which the Center reports to.  The city contributes funds as well.  As a county facility, the Center is open to all senior citizens (and others!) in Caribou County, and there are many people on the rolls who travel into town from Grace, Bancroft, Niter, and other parts of Caribou.  Meals on Wheels delivery helps keep residents throughout the area, both in town and throughout the county, contacted and connected with.  

Other institutions such as SICOG contribute stipends and assistance throughout the year, but the Thrift Store on site is the primary source of ongoing revenue.   Donations are accepted at the rear of the building.  Bartschi notes that donations are always appreciated, and that “clean, usable” items are the most helpful.  Even in the busiest of times for the thrift store, space is limited for storage, so excess items are redistributed to other community organizations in the area.

One of the reasons that the Senior Center is so popular is that it provides a place for seniors in the community to gather and socialize during the week.  Wednesday is the peak day of the week, and brings in the largest number of people for food and company.  Bartschi estimates the average monthly number of meals provided as around 600, with about 250 of them being delivered.

In addition to the company provided by the center (Bartschi emphasizes that combating isolation is one of the Center’s most important missions), the other reason Wednesday is so popular is that the food is just really good.  Over the years, the menu has changed and expanded, while retaining its high level of quality and many of the crowd favorites.  There is probably no greater comfort food than meatloaf and potatoes, which is a longstanding classic, along with its close relative the Au Jus Dip sandwich.  New recipes have also been added, though, like Chicken Alfredo Bake, Beef Enchiladas, and others.  Cookies and desserts help round out the menu, which is available for dine in on Wednesdays and Fridays, and delivery through the Meals on Wheels program.  Anyone interested can contact the Senior Center for information on the program, and where to sign up.  After the meals are made and sent out for the week, the remaining food is frozen, and can be purchased on site for $3 a meal, or $2 for desserts, while they last.  

The Center can be reached at 208-547-3007 for information about food and other programs, as well as enrollment in Meals on Wheels.  Meals on Wheels applications are quick and painless, and for those who qualify, delivery is available to Soda Springs, Grace, Bancroft, and other areas within the county and surrounding area that enrollees might live.  

One project that is currently underway at the Senior Center is a collection of recipes to be included in a Senior Center cookbook.  Anyone with recipes they would like to have included can send them to [email protected].

There are many volunteers and employees of the Center, including Peggy Gould, Patsy Tarbet, Lucetta Holt, Betty Gentry, Janeye Perron, Ann Hamm, Nancy Hydzik, and Craig Boswell, in addition to McDowell and Bartschi.  The kitchen crew includes Patsy Tarbet, Starla Kingsford, Lisa Irick, and head chef Tanna Christiansen.