Volunteers work to keep seniors young at heart Recreational activities are always in the works at Keyport facility BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer CHRIS KELLY staff Keyport's Qwen Washington, along with pianist Carol Carhart, leads a group of seniors in song at the Keyport Senior Center on Thursday. KEYPORT - In Keyport, seniors who volunteer have time on their side. On April 2, the Keyport Senior Center honored Pat Murgo, Lerna Whitehorne, Theresa Moffet and Joseph Carey with the "Gift of Time," a special recognition for those who extensively volunteer at the non-profit community center. Held at the First Aid Building, Atlantic Street, politicians and guest speakers kept their ceremonial speeches to a minimum, allowing time for the more important things in life: dancing and eating. Both Councilman Richard Hassmiller and the Monmouth County Office on Aging Executive Director John A. Wanat praised the 80 volunteers present at the luncheon, almost all of whom are senior citizens themselves. Hassmiller joked that compared to him, 49-year-old Mayor Robert Bergen is "just a kid." "I'm going to be 60," Hassmiller said. "But my daughter says 80 is the new 60, and I believe her now." The crowd agreed. It wasn't long before a conga line broke out, followed by a raucous impromptu sing-along to "When the Saints Go Marching In." The entertainment, provided by vocalist/guitarist Diane Hamilton, had audience members dancing in their seats, clapping, swaying and stamping their feet - all before noon. Located on Second Street between Greengrove and Waverly Place, the senior center is open to any senior living in Monmouth County. Director Wendy Tooker keeps visitors motivated by offering up a variety of activities, including arts and exercise classes, trips to biweekly shopping outings, free manicures, tax assistance, theater nights and so on. "She's very dynamic," said volunteer Sue Layland, of Middletown. "You can't help but get involved with Wendy." A volunteer for about three years, Layland currently coordinates a program called Grand Friends, a monthly playdate between preschool students and senior citizens. Senior volunteer Marlene Kirby, of Holmdel, also credits Tooker for getting her involved. The first to start the conga line, Kirby enjoys performing in the center's traveling line dance company and taking exercise classes. "My husband died six years ago," Kirby said. "We danced all the time. Someone said, 'Why don't you line dance? You don't need a partner.' " After dance classes, she began taking exercise classes. Then other activities. "I thought gee, I can't just keep taking," Kirby said. "I have to give back. Seniors should not be twiddling their thumbs. They should be active." Wanat couldn't agree more. "One of the problems we encounter when we age is keeping up an active lifestyle," Wanat said. "Here there's yoga, ballroom dancing, physical fitness classes. They're learning about healthy eating. They're actively involved in their own lives." Wanat said that participation in social activities like the upcoming Cancer Society Walk helps keep seniors active and delays placement in nursing homes. "These programs keep them young and healthy in spite of their age," Wanat added. Since many seniors are on a fixed budget, there is no charge to attend many of the activities at the center. As such, fundraising is a priority for the center. Upcoming events include an old-fashioned tea party and a flea market. Layland said she, along with many others, help out with the fundraising efforts. "If something needs doing, just do it," Layland said. "That's the type of center it is. Everyone just pitches in." Some pitch in by offering skills at no cost, such as filing the center's taxes, teaching computer literacy or just shoveling when it snows. Rosemarie Mikson, of Holmdel, used her skills as a former library worker at Brookdale Community College to start a library at the center. Boy Scouts from Keyport built a shelving unit and collected books from residents. Mikson's husband, Rudy, does all the cataloging for the young library "because he's the neatest guy in the world," she said. For more information on the Keyport Senior Center, call (732) 264-4916 or stop by at 110 Second St.