Senior Center gets funding

DEXTER, Mo. -- When it started raining Tuesday afternoon, the bucket brigade began its usual work at the Dexter Senior Center. Buckets were distributed to catch the drips and drops falling from the ceiling throughout the center.

But if all goes according to plan, it might be one of the last times the bucket brigade has to be called into action.

The center officially received a grant Tuesday afternoon from the Department of Agriculture's rural development division for $35,000 for improvements at the facility, including the repair of that leaky roof. Making the grant presentation was Greg Branum, state director of the rural development division. Joining Branum for the presentation was U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau.

According to center director Pam Trammel, the grant will be used to install a pitch roof on the center as well as a number of other crucial improvement projects at the aging building.

"This is a tremendous day for the center," Trammel said during the presentation program. "It is no exaggeration to say that we could not continue to offer the services out of the center without these funds." Branum recalled the day about six months ago when he was in Dexter on business and was scheduled to have lunch with old friends, Norman and Billie Harty, and Emerson. The Hartys brought Trammel along to lunch -- with a plan to talk to Branum and Emerson about the needs at the local center.

"I can remember Pam leaning across the table and asking if we could talk business before lunch was served," Emerson recalled with a laugh.

"Getting a new roof on the Senior Center is the culmination of a lot of people working together," Emerson observed. "It takes a lot of people working together to make things like this project happen." During her talk, the public address system at the center made a few popping noises, followed by the ceiling fans stopping their work.

"Pam, do you think the grant can also help with this," Emerson teased.

Emerson told the group of older adults gathered at the center for the program that they serve as an inspiration for her.

"You get the most out of life," she told the group. "And this center is a very, very great contribution to the community." In addition to the grant from Rural Development, Trammel announced that the Hartys have added their financial support to the project at the center.

"They have told us that they want this to be done right," Trammel said.

And, she added, that means offered financial support if the cost of the rejuvenation project exceeds the grant.

"The Hartys were aware of our need," Trammel said of the local couple.

"Out of recognition for what we do in the community in providing for the nutritional needs of seniors in the county and helping them remain at home as long as possible they helped make officials aware of our pressing needs and brought us all together." Among other improvements to be completed at the center is a new entrance with a ramp and doors that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and other improvements to the facility.