Today we celebrate because we are the beneficiaries of the vision, resourcefulness, energy and sacrifice of those people who created the Mid-County Senior Center, our charter members. To our knowledge none survived, and we, the current members, carry on their tradition in what, we hope, is a creditable manner.

In 1967 a group formed in Capitola which met at the hall next to the First St. Joseph's church, which is now gone, but a painting of the old church is in this hall. The group was interested in forming a community center and held an open house in 1968 for public input and discussion. They decided to develop a Senior Citizens' Center, and, after lots of work on purposes, by-laws, etc., the State of California granted incorporation papers to Mid-County Senior Center on November 10, 1970.

The MCSC members wanted to buy property and construct a building. Before that could be done, plans for financing and construction were necessary. Their officers were Terry George, President, C. W. Douglas, Vice President; Frances Causbrook, Recording Secretary, and Bill Fernandes, Treasurer. Bill, who is a long-time active member, is being honored here today.

A campaign to raise $100,000 was launched on October 13, 1972, at a special event. Speakers were Mayor Ron Graves, C. W. Douglas, Father Brice Moran. The event netted $12,000.

On January 11, 1973 the final decision was made to buy land and begin to build. Two acres were purchased on February 2, and $59,000 from redevelopment funds was received on February 11.

A ground breaking ceremony was held February 10, 1974 --- almost a Valentine -- and it was a Valentine if you consider the friendship, caring and love that have graced this building. But, since our members are not saints, but sinners, there have been squabbles and troubles too.

During these early years, MCSC received a lot of publicity and much of it is on display here today. Please enjoy it -- the work of Norene Santaluc, Connie Benson and Sheryl Haver. You will notice that our first president, Terry George, had a column in the paper called: Mobile News. Many early members of the center came from mobile home parks in the area. Terry's wife Claire was the aunt of our long-term member Naomi Vasconcellos. Naomi recalls the early days when activity fee was 50 cents. Later on, there were wonderful trips to San Francisco and across the country by tour guides Nancy and Hudson Garthwaite. Mr. George served as president eight times, the last time being in 1981. One of our longtime members, Ruth Crosslyn, came to work as coordinator at the center during Mr. George's last term.

Our annex was added in the late '70's and the building survived the 1989 earthquake in good shape.

Under Jim Bowman's direction the remodeling of the front rest rooms was completed in 2002. We are currently updating the kitchen and have received $24,000 for this project from the city of Capitola, for which we are most grateful.

The Center's membership has averaged 500 plus for the past several years. At one time we believe it reached 800 plus and we'd like to see that again. Maybe activity fees could return to 50 cents. At present our Center's membership mirrors society. The women who joined the Center in the 80's and 90's were just as likely to have retired from a job or profession as the men who joined. Haus Fraus are in the minority. Most of our visitors today can join our center -- we welcome people Fifty and over. We urge you to tell your friends about our Center. There is something for almost everyone.