She had two large catering events to accomplish. One was Robin Ward's wedding reception that was to be held at "Centennial Hall" on the last Saturday of June. Ed asked her to begin the following Monday, June 30, which she did. JoAnne took the job with the understanding that she would work for 30 days and if the board of directors were satisfied with her work and if she was happy doing it, she would stay on. It is obvious that they both came to the same conclusion as she stayed on for 10 years!

She had two important goals to consider. Her first goal was to pay off the mortgage using volunteers and of course volunteering her time and talent. Her second goal was to mend the animosity between the original small group of seniors who did not need a BIGGER place and larger group who built the Center and were intent on making it successful. The original mortgage was $325,000.00 John Mooney's donation was $100,000.00 The Seniors Match was $100,000.00 City of Amery's was $25,000.00. The total mortgage with interest remaining to pay the City of Amery was $132,165.00 with payments due every March 15th for 9 years. We had a "TIF" agreement with the City and were not to make a payment the 1st year. It took nine years.....thousands of volunteer hours and as many as 53 fundraisers in one year to meet the obligation.

We really had to work on a proposal proving the use of the center, the number of volunteer hours and talent donated by the seniors for the community, the number of people who used the facility etc. The city could use the center anytime they wanted and for anything they needed it for. We got our tax exemption or 501 3c by proving with record the number of service hours provided by our members to the nursing homes, school, hospital, local fraternal organizations, benefits, the city and by our budget. The regular schedule at the Senior Center included Senior, Community and County Events. In early 1997, before we paid off the mortgage, we formed a 10-year lease with the city. We paid the city $1.00 per year for the use of the facility on a daily basis. Helen Beltmann was the first staff person hired. She loved the Senior Center and provided us with sincere assistance and humor. When the computer became necessary, Helen B. was forced to retire (after 7 years) except for organizing the monthly birthday party. Helen O'Neill was hired and provided very efficient and needed help. She became the "Assistant Director". Green Thumb was an organization helping people over the age of 55 to find work. They kept us supplied with a worker most of the time. When the mortgage was paid of March 15, 1997, we did some preparation ahead of time because we wanted this to be very memorable in the minds of all the Amery Area Senior Citizens, those who volunteered hours and contributed in any way with their help. Because so many of our members were snowbirds, we decided instead of burning the mortgage immediately upon payment of the last installment we would hold a celebration on the 15th of May at the regular May potluck. Jim Armstrong was contacted to be the entertainer. Harvey Stower was contacted for emcee. Sharon Hayek and Helen O'Neill put in many hours to put this together. As a big surprise to JoAnne, they decided to have the mortgage burning in conjunction with her retirement. We picked Ed Monette, who was the originator of the whole idea of the Senior Center, to hold the paper that contained the mortgage agreement. Sharon provided the dish that was suitable for lighting a fire. Gerhardt Scheele was the president at the time, Don Waggoner was the treasurer, and Don prepared a