MORENCI — There are plenty of things Laurie Reinke hopes to do in her new job as director of the Morenci Senior Center, but they all come down to this: “I’m hoping to bring smiles to people’s faces.”
Reinke started working at the senior center on June 10 after retiring from a factory job.
“Honestly, this is a job that I’ve been looking at for quite some time,” she said, noting that her daughter works for the Lenawee County Department on Aging so she was already somewhat familiar with its programs.
However, she said, “it just never was the right time — and this time I just said ‘you know what, I think the time is right.’ ”
Reinke is replacing Jimmie Garland, who retired after having served as senior center director since 2022.
“I think I’m going to have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I feel confident that I can do it,” she said.
Reinke said she wants to bring more people into the center and keep them active and entertained. She’s gotten feedback that people would like opportunities to take trips, and she’s thinking of a day trip to Grand Rapids, Ohio. She also plans to incorporate more arts and crafts into senior center programs, and is thinking about new entertainment options.
Nobody needs to be a member of the senior center — people can just drop in. Lunch is served every weekday, with a suggested donation of $3 for seniors and $4 for others.
Reinke estimated that the center serves 15 to 20 people per day.
Since becoming senior center director, Reinke has found that there are many more resources available for area seniors than she knew about previously.
“I was kind of amazed at the different programs that are out there for seniors that I was not aware of,” she said.
For example, blood pressure checks and dental assessments are among the resources that area residents can access through the senior center.
Reinke said she enjoys the people she’s gotten to meet during her first several weeks as senior center director.
“The people here have been great,” she said. “They’re a treat to be around.”
During her first week on the job, Reinke said, she realized what a good time she was having and thought: “And I get paid to do this?”
She particularly enjoys feeling that her job makes a difference.
“This has a purpose and it feels good,” she said.
The Morenci Senior Center is located inside Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at 800 W. Chestnut St. It is one of seven senior centers operated by the Lenawee County Department on Aging, with the others being in Adrian, Addison, Blissfield, Hudson, Onsted, and Tecumseh. Each senior center offers a range of activities, resources, and services tailored to meet the needs of the local community.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the Morenci Senior Center, call 517-260-4912 or email Morenci.Seniors@lenawee.mi.us.