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WILKES-BARRE — At the the Kingston Active Adult Center, Table Seven is the “cool” table.

With about eight program participants routinely taking a seat, sharing a meal, telling jokes and discussing political realities, the table seems to serve as the heartbeat of the attitudes and opinions of the center as a whole.

On Wednesday, those gathered at table seven were angry. They were angry about the gridlock in Harrisburg, delaying the state budget. They were angry the Luzerne County Council voted against $20 million loan that would ensure continued services.

But mostly, they were angry that the lifestyles and security of their friends might be at risk if the center closed its door as a result of a possible county government shutdown.

“Some of these people won’t have anywhere to go if this center is closed,” said Maxine Sheard, of Kingston. “And for many, this is their only meal of the day.”

At 91, Betty Coyle, of Wilkes-Barre, agrees. Although Coyle is quick to participate in shuffle board and other activities at the center, she said she no longer has the desire to cook for herself.

“Sometimes, at home, I get hungry and I just grab a piece of turkey,” she said. “I eat here (to be) with my friends.”

Although they acknowledge the failure for Luzerne County to approve a $20 million loan that would continue local services, most of those gathered at the table put the blame on the shoulders of Governor Tom Wolf and state legislators.

“Those in Harrisburg need to sit down like grown men,” Sheard said. “These are supposedly smart people.”

Joe Prywara, of Kingston, a U.S. Navy veteran, said both state and county government have a duty to put those they serve before any political agenda.

“Senior citizens have so little to do, they can’t take away the little that we do have,” Prywara said.

He stressed the center did much more then simply provide a meal. It also provides an opportunity for recreation, socialization and even political debate, he said.

Although those gathered around that table were all upwards of 70 years old and many of their conversations Wednesday centered on their families, they didn’t shrink from harder topics such as the Syrian refugee controversy, foreign policy in the Middle East or the current presidential campaigns.

Sheard, for example, is very aware the state budget impasse has affected state residents at both ends of the spectrum.

“I’m worrying about the possible closing of the senior center, but I’m also worried about how my daughter, a student at Penn State, will be affected,” she said. “Those in government need to take responsibility.”

Many of the over-50 people who participate in senior center activities regularly say they are grateful for all the benefits of the center: Computer use, shuffleboard, games, yoga, aerobics and belly dancing. They say, however, the biggest benefit of the center is each other.

“If it wasn’t for this center I would have never gotten to know these people,” said Prywara as he looked around the table. “I wouldn’t want to lose that, even for a day.”

Betty Lee Frusciante of Swoyersville, Betty Coyle of Wilkes-Barre and Mary Ann Prince of Luzerne and other seniors line up for a salad bar Wednesday afternoon at the Active Adult Center in Kingston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL111915Shutdownsidebar1.jpg.optimal.jpgBetty Lee Frusciante of Swoyersville, Betty Coyle of Wilkes-Barre and Mary Ann Prince of Luzerne and other seniors line up for a salad bar Wednesday afternoon at the Active Adult Center in Kingston.

By Geri Gibbons

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Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons