Senior Center celebrates 40 years, gets new name

After 40 years of service, the Highland County Senior Center is celebrating its four decades in operation with a new name. 

During a social luncheon held Friday, director Suzanne Hopkins and Highland County Commissioner Gary Heaton announced that henceforth, the center will be known as the Rosalie Morgan-N. James Bodenhamer Senior Center. 

As the announcement was made, Hopskins unveiled a hand-painted portrait of Morgan, the first director of the center, which will now hang in her honor at the center. 

Morgan was surprised and a bit teary-eyed when the unexpected announcement was made. 

"This is very humbling," Morgan said. "I have been blessed with support, from my family and my community."

"Without Rosalie, we would not be celebrating 40 years," Hopkins said. "Thank you for making this a very special place where we all can come. I am a big believer that you should honor people while they are still around. We no longer have Dr. Bodenhamer with us, but we are thankful to have Rosalie."

When Bodenhamer passed away, he left a "substantial" trust, according to Hopkins, and the center receives the interest off of the trust. While the dollar amount varies from year to year, Hopkins said, "It helps us keep our doors open."

According to the anniversary edition of "The Open Door," the center's newsletter, Morgan was was a founder for the center and its director in 1970. She remained at that post until her retirement in 1995, but remains active. 

"Rosalie saw a need for a gathering place for the community's older citizens and took it upon herself to find funding for the center. For the past 40 years the center has served as a thriving and vital part of Highland County."

From its humble beginnings  in a spare room in the Grange building, to a to an organization with more than 1,000 members, "The center provides many essential services to Highland County residents, including delivering meals, providing free health screenings to members, and serving as an information and referral source for programs and services."

Morgan remains on the center's board of trustees, and her work has been recognized with induction to the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2005.

A new sign will be erected at the center to showcase the name of the new Morgan-Bodenhamer Center.

Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink, Lynchburg Mayor Jeremy Shaffer and the Highland County Board of Commissioners have all declared Oct. 29 at Morgan-Bodenhamer Senior Center Day. 

According to Zink, "The Highland County Senior Center is one fo the first rural area senior centers in the USA, providing quality programs and services for the needs of older adults in Highland County and surrounding counties."

"On behalf of the citizens of Lynchburg, Ohio, I hereby extend our congratulations and best wishes to the center, its staff and board and hold their example of selfless service up to public view as an inspiration to us all," according to Lynchburg Mayor Jeremy Shaffer.