NEW FRIENDS, NEW GATHERING SPOT
Senior center opens to good crowd, response
By Lori Mellinger

Right, Itna Famer, relatively new Bullard resident acquaints herself with Dorothy Campbell, long-time Bullard resident, at Bullard Senior Citizens Center’s first meeing on Dec. 5 Below, driving force Dr. Marjorie Roper Studdard, goes over future plans with Mary King. A Meals on Wheels representative is scheduled to assess the need for a boost in the program this month.

Shirley Frigon was biding her time, patiently awaiting Dr. Marjorie Roper Studdard’s retirement.

Once Dr. Marjorie did retire, Frigon had plans for her.

“Marjorie once told me her dream - once she retired - was to open a senior citizen’s center - a place where seniors could enjoy fellowship, play games and eat.”

Frijon is privy to a lot of her customer’s dreams as a local hairdresser. But it’s not often, she said, that she gets the chance to help realized them.

Dr. Marjorie retired about the same time Frigon’s church, St. Mary Magdalene, bought the former First Baptist Church on Lynch Drive.

The timing Frigon said, couldn’t have been better.

“I talked to Father (Tim) Kelly, and set up a meeting,” she said.

Dr. Marjorie readily agreed, as did some of Frigon's other clients. But even she was surprised at the turnout.

“It was supposed to be three initially who helped out, but it turned into 19,” she said.

And when the doors opened for the first time on Dec. 5, everyone was surprised at the turnout.

About 60 seniors packed into the building set aside for their use. Everyone brought a covered dish, and many spent the afternoon playing 42.

“We may have to rethink the space,” Father Kelly said.

The Catholic Diocese charges seniors a nominal fee - for maintenance of the building - but Frigon said it was hardly a problem.

“We just put a basket at the door, and people contribute what they can,” she said.

As for Dr. Marjorie, she's happy to see her dream come to fruition.

“I'm tickled to death,” she said. “It's an answer to prayers.”

Dr. Marjorie said seniors used to meet behind city hall, but the building was destroyed about 1997 and the seniors' group disbanded.

But the need didn't go away, and the next lunch is set for Dec. 19.

Between now and then, Frigon and Dr. Marjorie are talking to Mike Powell, program director for Meals on Wheels in Tyler, to see if his group can begin delivering meals to the center.

Powell is supposed to look at and assess the need.

“We know there is a lot of interest, but we need to determine what direction we need to take,” Dr. Marjorie said.

Bullard seniors used to have an extensive Meals on Wheels program.

Now, only a few meals are delivered in Bullard to homebound people. But it's more than food, both Frigon and Dr. Marjorie said.

And Itna Farmer agrees. She and her husband, Frank, moved to Bullard about two years ago. And while they've met people from church, they've felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the community.

“We love it here,” Mrs. Farmer said. “It's a great town, and this is a great place for us to meet others our age.”

Dr. Marjorie said it was just what she'd hoped for.

“It brings everyone - all different denominations - together,” she said.

The Diocese has redone the main building, too, turning it into a gym - which will be used for youth outreach. No plans for an actual church are on the horizon.

“They will hold classes there, and bring together youth programs,” Frigon said. “But it's an extension of the campus in Flint.”

The Flint location has classrooms, office space and event space, and will eventually house a new church.

For more information on the senior center, call Frijon at (903) 894-7257.