Looking for activities, meals, new friends or resources for older adults in Lewis County? You may be surprised by just how much is happening at your local senior center.
Timber River Connections serves older adults throughout Lewis County with community centers offering meals, recreation, exercise, educational opportunities, social activities and connections to helpful resources.
Whether you’re an older adult looking for something new to do, a family member helping a parent stay active and connected, or simply new to the area, there’s a place for you.
More Than a Place for Lunch
Today’s senior centers are community gathering places.
On any given week at Timber River Connections locations around Lewis County, you might find people playing pinochle or bingo, taking an exercise class, painting, quilting, listening to live music or simply enjoying lunch together.
Timber River Connections is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the nutritional and social needs of older adults. Its mission is to help older adults access services and resources through community engagement and partnerships, with a vision of Lewis County residents remaining physically and mentally active, having their nutritional needs met and thriving in their own homes.
Here’s where you can find a center near you.
Twin Cities Older Adult Center – Chehalis & Centralia
2545 N. National Avenue, Chehalis
360-748-0061
The Twin Cities Older Adult Center serves the Chehalis and Centralia communities and is open Monday through Friday.
The center offers a busy schedule that includes activities such as SAIL exercise classes, bingo, pinochle, painting and other special programs throughout the year.
Congregate nutrition lunches are also served at noon Monday through Friday.
If you’re looking for an easy way to meet people, get out of the house or add a little activity to your week, the Twin Cities center is a great place to start.
Winlock-Olequa Older Adult Center
119 SW Kerron Avenue, Winlock
360-785-4325
Serving the Winlock area, the Winlock-Olequa Older Adult Center provides a welcoming gathering place for older adults in South Lewis County.
Regular activities include chair yoga, bingo, quilting, crafts and opportunities to bring your own projects and spend time with others.
Congregate nutrition lunches are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with additional lunches and activities offered during the week.
Toledo Older Adult Center
150 Coal Street, Toledo
360-864-2112
The Toledo Older Adult Center serves residents of Toledo and surrounding communities.
In addition to nutrition lunches, the center hosts a variety of activities and special events. Painting groups, exercise activities, birthday celebrations and other community gatherings regularly appear on the Timber River Connections calendar.
For older adults living in the Toledo area, it’s a convenient way to stay connected without having to travel to the Twin Cities.
Morton Older Adult Center
103 Westlake Avenue, Morton
360-496-3230
The Morton Older Adult Center is a community hub for older adults in East Lewis County.
Its regular schedule includes activities such as Tai Chi, chair yoga, pinochle, bingo, adult coloring and live music.
Lunches are also offered during the week, providing another opportunity to sit down with friends and neighbors.
For residents of Morton and the surrounding communities, the center provides important opportunities to remain active and socially connected close to home.
Packwood Older Adult Center
12931 US Highway 12, Packwood
360-494-6331
Farther east, the Packwood Older Adult Center serves older adults in the Packwood area.
Activities include pinochle, quilting and crafts, chair yoga and Zumba, along with special programs and community events.
The center is also connected with the Livable Packwood Food Pantry, adding another valuable resource for the community.
Nutrition Services in Pe Ell
Timber River Connections also helps provide nutrition services in Pe Ell.
The Pe Ell nutrition site is located at:
United Methodist Church
416 1st Street S., Pe Ell
360-291-3636
Nutrition lunches are currently offered in Pe Ell on Mondays and Thursdays.
Nutritious Meals and Good Company
Food is an important part of the Timber River Connections mission.
Working with the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging, Timber River Connections provides congregate nutrition lunches at locations throughout Lewis County.
But lunch can provide more than nutrition.
Sharing a meal is an opportunity to see familiar faces, make new friends and remain connected to the community. For someone living alone or simply looking for more social interaction during the week, that regular connection can be just as valuable as the meal itself.
There’s Probably Something Here for You
Maybe you’ve never thought of yourself as someone who would visit a senior center.
That’s okay.
You don’t have to spend every day there. You don’t have to participate in every activity. And you certainly don’t have to wait until you “feel old enough.”
Come for an exercise class. Try bingo. Bring your cards or a craft project. Attend a special event. Have lunch. Meet somebody new.
Timber River Connections exists to help older adults throughout Lewis County remain active, connected and supported in the communities they call home.
Your local center might be closer — and a lot more fun — than you think.