Difficulties occurred and each issue had to be addressed, prolonging the completion of the new facility. But...in April of 1987 the first fundraiser, a dinner, was held in the brand new Senior Center. JoAnne believes Helen Henke from Deer Park was in charge of the meal. Lutheran Brotherhood matched funds from this event. It was lucrative for the Center. Grand opening was held the end of April '87 with new memberships offered at $3.00 per person. As she recalls from reading about this very successful event, over 100 people became new members.

Ed and Evelyn Monette were in charge with assistance from many volunteers. At one of the first meetings, two big issues were introduced. Number one was to name the new facility. It was officially named the "Amery Area Senior Center" as many persons from around Amery were interested and did become members. Since rent was projected to become a big part of the budget and Amery was celebrating their centennial year, the members voted to use "Centennial Hall" as an attractive name to invite more rentals. Both names were adopted.

The outside sign was built entirely with donations in both money and labor. First of all the cement truck stopped just because Cliff Fredrickson stopped them and asked them what it would cost to get cement. He happened to have a truckload on and he stopped and dumped cement for the footing that same day. Cliff hurried up because he had heard from another party and he got two other people with pickups and he heard about someone up north who had torn down a brick building. They went up and picked them up and he got the other materials. It was donated by volunteers then to pay whatever it cost him to put it together. The only thing we had to pay cash for was the Senior Center glass and metal sign in the middle. As soon as that was paid for, someone came in and asked to pay for that also. The shingles were donated. Cliff completed the whole thing with his own labor and would not take any pay.

The second big issue was to hire a "director". Someone would have to be on the premises to direct programs, handle rentals and catering events and any other fundraisers as well as supervise the upkeep and use of the building.

Austin Finch knew JoAnne was retiring as assistant manager of the local Dairy Queen. He approached her about applying for the position at the Senior Center. After much thought and some dialogue with her family, she did send her application to Ed Monette, who was the president at that time. In mid-may of 1987, three board members interviewed several applicants including JoAnne. She was notified the third week of June that she could begin work as soon as possible.