New faces at the Chinook Senior Center
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The ladies pictured here have joined the staff at the Chinook Senior Center. (l-r). Ginger Hansen is the new Director at the Center. Karla Kennedy-Zarn began as the new Assistant Cook. Ginger and Karla began their new roles on June 19. Candice Dunbar, to the right in the photo, joined the Center as the Head Cook at the end of May.
Three new staffers are now on board at the Chinook Senior Center. Candice Dunbar, Head Cook, joined the Center on May 28. The new Center Director, Ginger Hansen, and new Assistant Cook Karla Kennedy-Zarn, joined the staff on June 19. These paid staffers are supported by a number of volunteers who help in the kitchen and in other capacities at the Center.
An all-volunteer board of directors sets policies and administratively supports the Center. Peggy Perry, who has served the last two years as the Chair of the Center's board of directors, noted of the new staff, "We are excited to have these three new qualified and experienced staffers on our team and welcome them to the Center. We're looking forward to a 'reenergized' new start at the Center."
The new staff at the Center
Head Cook Candice Dunbar joined the Center at the end of May. Candice, originally from Missoula, came to Big Sandy about twelve years ago to work at a care center there. She met and married Joe Dunbar while working in Big Sandy area and now makes her home down in the south country. She's worked in food preparation at several locations including a catering service that prepared meals for a regional correctional center. Folks are commenting on the great meals Candice has been preparing since she came to the Center.
Center Director Ginger Hansen began her new duties on June 19. Ginger considers herself mainly from Billings though while a youngster her family followed her father's work through much of the central West. She's lived in Chinook for about 30 years and is married to Kurt Hansen, who farms near Harlem with his brother Kraig. Her experience includes planning and executing many community benefits and fundraisers. She's also an accomplished baker creating a variety of distinctively decorated edibles for special occasions. She said she enjoys being around people and cooking for special events.
Karla Kennedy-Zarn spent much of her growing up years in Whitefish where her father worked for the railroad. Her father's family was originally from the area around Zurich and she spent many summers and other times in the area with relatives. Her work experience is varied and much of it had to do with cooking. She's very involved in the community as a volunteer, especially with the Chinook Fire Department. She's married to Chinook Police Chief Elmer Zarn.
Looking ahead
Chairperson Perry encourages the community to come and enjoy some of the offerings available at the Center." She explained, "The Center is not just for people over 60 years of age. Our noon lunches, services, programs and activities are open to all." Activities range from a traveling nurse who does foot care to musicians who play each Friday before, during and after lunch. There are interest groups who play cards, do yoga, learn to do special craft projects and drink coffee together at various times of the day. One of a kind programs include everything from celebrating special holidays with authentic foods and costumes to presentations by locals and guest speakers on topics of interest. A specialty each week is cinnamon rolls (eat in to go) each Thursday-best to call ahead if you want to have several rolls for a special event.
For more details about what's going on at the Center or to reserve a lunch spot, order a to-go meal, or reserve some cinnamon rolls, call 357-2648. Chair Perry said she's hopeful the Center's Facebook page, where information about the Center's activities will be posted, can be restarted soon. Also, look for Center updates, menus and activities in the Center's column in the "Blaine County Journal." Hope to see you at the Center.
