Herminie Center for Active Adults

Named Best in the State

If you talk to one of the approximate 125 Herminie Center for Active Adults participants, it should come as no surprise that the Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers (PASC) selected the group as Center of the Year and best in the state.

The PASC award committee recognized how much heart and pride the Herminie Center for Active Adults has, due to the flood of letters received from seniors willing to brag about their active center, said Rose Pennavaria, director of Center Services, The Nutrition Group. She credits Amy Smaracheck, Herminie Center for Active Adults manager, for working diligently to revitalize the center. Amy and her team make the Herminie Senior Center a welcoming place that local seniors are proud to attend, like 97-year-old Ruthie Shuster and 88-year-old Mary Sweeney.

Ruthie Shuster started working in her early 70s at the Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon and continues to work there three days a week. She also plays drums for a polka band every Thursday and for special occasions, like her 97th birthday party at McDonald’s for 150 guests. Mary Sweeney, Ph.D., retired chemistry and physics teacher in the Yough School District and former Community College of Allegheny County professor, says because of Tai Chi offered at the center, she barely uses a cane anymore, and considers those at the Herminie Center for Active Adults to be family.

The Herminie Center for Active Adults is comprised of men and women ages 60 to 97. The Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging contracts with The Nutrition Group to operate the center.

The Commissioners of Westmoreland County, Gina Cerilli, Ted Kopas and Charles W. Anderson do hereby congratulate the Herminie Center for Active Adults on this prestigious award.