Carmel Friendship Center opens with great fanfare

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CARMEL – “Seasoned citizens” residing in the greater Carmel-Kent-Patterson-Southeast area now have a new home away from home available to them.

The Carmel Friendship Center located on Putnam County’s Donald Smith Campus off Old Route 6 in Carmel opened Thursday with great fanfare.

The totally remodeled center offers seniors a variety of activities in addition to a hot lunch on a daily basis and mirrors county centers previously opened in Mahopac, Putnam Valley and most recently Cold Spring.

Michael Cunningham, director of the Office of Senior Resources, told a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by some 75 seniors along with town, county and state officials that 2019 has been a good year for his office. “We celebrated our 50th anniversary this year while opening a new site in Philipstown. Our Carmel center is the icing on the cake. Putnam County believes in the Older Americans Act of 1964 which recognizes the contributions of our seniors and the important role they have played in our lives. Our role is to provide Putnam’s seniors with a variety of options for activities since isolation and loneliness often result in health issues. The name on the door says it all: The Carmel Friendship Center is all about friendship and companionship.”

County Executive MaryEllen Odell, who emceed the ceremony, told the seniors: “You are our teachers and mentors, grandparents and neighbors. You are important to Putnam County for all that you have accomplished and achieved over many years. This space is for you.”

Odell thanked a number of officials for their input that resulted in the grand opening including former State Senator Terrence Murphy and the area’s current State Senator Peter Harckham along with State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne for obtaining state dollars to help offset the cost for the refurbishment. 

Odell described the senior center site as being “iconic. This building was once a school and now its home for our seniors; the circle of life personified.”

Lisa Formisano, site manager, described the new center as “welcoming due to its new atmosphere. It is much more open, bright and desirous. The seniors now have much more to do thanks to an expanded arts and crafts room, fitness section, gathering places and even a room where billiards can be played.”

Harckham congratulated the county for “hitting a home run. I commend County Executive Odell and her team for creating a modern, up-to-date center that will be used for decades to come. The center is truly spectacular and we are proud to have contributed $450,000 in state funds for the project.”

Pat Sheehy, the county’s former senior citizens director, returned for the opening day and was thrilled with what she saw. “We had a vision back then and that dream has become reality. What a Christmas present for our seniors!”

George D’Alessandro of Lake Carmel has used the facility for years, not only to enjoy the company of others while dining on a hot lunch but also teaching his fellow seniors how to remain active through chair exercises.

D’Alessandro described the facility as being “top shelf. Just look around. Everyone is smiling today because our seniors now have a new home.”




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