Treasure of the Hills senior center

Treasure of the Hills senior center

Written by Kara Vaught Wednesday, 14 May 2008

For almost 20 years, Treasure of the Hills Senior Center in Cedar Park has been a place to gather for games, fellowship and even romance.

TOTH was born in 1990 when Jeanne Felldin gathered volunteers to create a place for people 50 and older to meet and mingle. The nearest such facility was in downtown Austin, and Felldin made it her mission to establish a place for residents further north.

In a history of TOTH written by Lois Carlson, Felldin is quoted as asking, “What of lasting value was I going to leave behind?”

The answer was Treasure of the Hills, where Felldin’s picture hangs to honor her work.

Among the outcomes of the center are many friendships and even some marriages, said current president Mary Riordon. Dedicated volunteers have made it all possible.

The center’s first large infusion of operating funds came from the sale of two lots on South Padre Island donated by volunteer Rex Reed.

Now, members volunteer their time to perform inspections of local neighborhoods for deed restriction violations, for which the center receives payment.

“Our members have been great in not even asking for reimbursements for gas money when they do that,” Riordon said.

Managing director Jim Barrett points to member Mildred Beeson as another example of TOTH’s spirit.

Beeson, 94, joined TOTH in 1996 and draws on her various skills — nursing, crochet and paper bead making — to entertain and enlighten others. On days when center members gather for a meal of homemade soup, Beeson brings the cornbread made from corn she grinds herself.

“And there’s not one piece of it left over,” Riordon said.

Other members help out by driving when the group car pools to an outing, or by picking up a member who cannot drive.

Barrett said transportation is one area where the center is limited. Without a vehicle of its own and very limited public transportation in the city, members are responsible for getting themselves to and from the center.

“We’re [located] off a major street, so it would be great if there was a bus stop near here.”

Another of TOTH’s goals is to promote education and awareness about issues like transportation, health and finances among members.

To that end, the center has an annual Senior Fest with booths manned by personnel from relevant groups and service providers. This year’s fest is scheduled for June 7 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. This event is open to the entire community.

“We want to be here and do this for our Cedar Park and Leander-area citizens,” Barrett said. “We consider this our home away from home, and we are trying to be sure we are offering convenient education about different issues.”

member benefits

For $25 a year, TOTH members may participate in an unlimited number of the center’s activities, including:

• Aerobics
• Game days
• Bridge play and beginner’s classes
• Book club
• Needle arts
• Red Hat trips and lunch
• Movies
• Bunco
• Crafts
• 55 Alive
• Golf
• Racehorse tourney
• Game night
• Occasional cookouts, breakfasts and
• covered dish meals
• Outings to local attractions
• Pinochle
• Bingo
• Pool
• ROMEO group - retired old men eating out

Treasure of the Hills Senior Center, 408 Ridgewood Drive • Cedar Park, 331-6000

Hours: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday