Name Change of Local Senior Center Causing Uproar

The Joslyn Senior Center is breaking tradition Tuesday by changing its name simply to The Joslyn Center.

“We found a lot of [baby] boomers in the 50 to 75-year-old range who didn’t consider themselves as seniors,” says executive director Peter Rittenhouse.

But, members of the center’s quilting club think otherwise. A majority of them disapprove of the name change.

“We’re all proud to be seniors, right?” says Carol Hunt, 70. “I mean, we earned it!”

Other members fear the name change will attract more members.

“I occasionally play bridge here, and there’s barely enough room,” says Beverly Kostrinsky, a New York native. “So, I don’t know if they can handle the bigger group.”

Rittenhouse says there are plans to expand within the next five to six years with a new building with high ceilings and a basketball half-court. But, he says, it all depends on the economy and the center’s needs.

According to Rittenhouse, the center currently has about 4,000 members. Whether or not the name change will bring a variety of new members is unknown.

“I’d be real surprised if teenagers decide to come here, and we needed to make room for them,” he said. “But, it would be wonderful to see more multi-generations.”

The new name has a new logo, too, with the statement “Enriching Lives Everyday.”

The big question: How many lives does the Joslyn Center want?