developed a vision and commitment. Joan Smiley wrote an article in the Amery Free Press requesting senior citizens from the area to meet with her if they were interested in expanding their organization or building a facility to accommodate a larger group.

Joan, a student of gerontology, gave many hours of her time to that major. She was interested in helping all seniors enrich their lives. Ed and Evelyn and Austin and Lillian Finch, were among the seniors who met with Joan. With her help concerning organizing, time elements, facility requirements, budget and infrastructure, the Monettes and the Finches pledged their assistance. Together with some other area seniors involved, they sought location and funding to support a new senior center facility. Funding was eminent!

The Seniors knew John Allen Mooney was an entrepreneur from Amery who had a reputation as a wonderful benefactor for several worthwhile organizations. He was the president and CEO of Richelieu Foods. (They made western French dressing for one thing!) Many will remember the Mooney’s generosity helped finance the Amery band trip to Washington DC to participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.

Ed and Austin met with John, presenting him with a plan and their vision for accomplishment. They showed him a budget and an architect’s floor plan of Amery and promised them he would help finance a facility if: A. It was built large enough with the future in mind, and B. the Senior Citizens would make him and themselves proud by using the facility not only fir their enjoyment, but they would be a service-type facility. He challenged the area senior citizens, their families, and friends to pledge money to match his donation. He also asked to be kept informed of the progress and/or needs. John stressed that it must be large enough with the future in mind. He said, “We can build you a castle but if you do not get the people to use it, the castle is no good for anyone”.

John and Nettie Mooney donated $100,000.00. The senior of Amery along with their families and friends were able to match that donation with pledges and financial help through grants and generous donations from other people and groups in the area. After several meetings, the original Amery Senior Citizens consisting of 72 members voted (not unanimously) to adopt the plan put together by a volunteer building committee. Size was a big issue to address. A volunteer member, who was an architect, provided the group with a floor plan. After much discussion, the committee adopted the blueprint. Two lots, one donated and the other purchased, were prepared and groundbreaking took place in the fall of 1986. Austin Finch was appointed building chairperson. He also took videos of the complete construction. These videos are informative and remain at the Senior Center.