BUENA PARK : ‘Dream Goes On’ at the Senior Center

Bill Maurer remembers 10 years ago when Buena Park had nowhere for seniors to spend time together and socialize.

“We needed a center to take care of them--a place for seniors to enjoy themselves,” said Maurer, 72. So he and other seniors convinced city officials to build a Buena Park Senior Center, and they personally raised $50,000 to furnish it.

On Wednesday, Maurer and more than 300 seniors and guests held a party with the theme, “The Dream Goes On,” in celebration of the center’s 10th anniversary.

“I’m very proud of it,” said Maurer, who also serves on the city’s Senior Citizen Commission. “It looks the same as it did 10 years ago, but today there’s more activity. Everybody’s so happy to be here for 10 years. It’s a nice feeling.”

Sarah Wilson, 83, also a Senior Citizen commissioner, recalled that the push began in 1975 to get a center built because the then-Senior Club wasn’t enough.

“We could meet and have potlucks and that was it,” Wilson said. “It was very important to have a center and activities--a place to keep people busy.”

Senior volunteers, who number 300 to 400, keep the place open by serving meals, making handcrafted items for the gift shop, entertaining, teaching classes and working the reception desk.

Emilio Garcia, 71, who has volunteered for 10 years, spends his days at the center setting up the beverage and coffee table and cleaning up after lunch is served.

Garcia said the Senior Center has become a second home.

“I’ve got so many friends here. It’s my life now,” Garcia said. As many as 500 seniors may frequent the center daily, said Carol Erickson, recreation supervisor. It is open to those 55 years and older, and some members are over 100.

The center, at 8150 Knott Ave., offers classes in oil painting, ceramics, Spanish, ballroom dance, country line dance and yoga. Lunch is served daily and meals are delivered to homes of those unable to prepare their own food.

Every Thursday night, Ray Hall and His Music Makers play big band music to big crowds. Shuffleboard, billiards, bingo, day trips and excursions are also offered.

“Everybody here is congenial and enjoys themselves,” said Wilson, a widow. “They get on over here and forget about their troubles. . . . It’s a lonely life when you’re left alone.”