Seniors dined on chicken piccata, danced to ballads and heard congratulations from three freeholders as the Hillsborough Senior Center celebrated its 35th anniversary Tuesday.
County-run senior centers first began in the 1970s as nutrition sites. Their mission was expanded over the years to address the needs of the body, mind and spirit. All kinds of programs including income tax preparation, exercises, embroidery, health screenings and dance lessons are held every quarter, said Angela Dubivsky, the county program administrator.
The first center was housed in the basement of the Mary, Mother of God Church in 1977. The site has moved a few times until 1984 when it moved into a renovated former telephone company building on South Branch Road opposite East Mountain Road. County-run buses provide vital transportation to the center for some seniors.
Two former managers of the center attended Tuesday. Peggy Van Lieu worked there for 17 years, giving way to Joyce (Maiullo) Longardo, who was manager for four. Renee Moody is the manager today.
A few of the seniors took the microphone to say how thankful they were for the center, which gave them food, information and friendship.
Ms. Dubivsky read one letter where a senior said her friends were “truly like a family” who care to ask about missing faces.
Freeholders Patrick Scaglione, Mark Caliguire and Patricia Walsh offered their own congratulations.
About 40 seniors came Tuesday, perhaps twice the average daily attendance, Ms. Moody said.

