The Greenville Senior Center celebrated 30 years of providing food, fund and fellowship to local citizens ages 60 and over on Friday morning.

In spite of the chilly, damp weather, the Cedar St. center was bright with colorful balloons, flowers and a special cake marking the anniversary.

The center's original location was the recreation room of the Greenville Housing Project on Beeland St. It moved to its current Cedar St. location in the mid-80s.

Sylvia Bowers, director of the Area Agency on Aging, and Maud Garrick, nutrition coordinator, were both on hand for the special occasion.

&#8220It's wonderful to be here with you, celebrating 30 great years,” Bowers told those assembled.

&#8220We want to encourage you to continue to come and enjoy this center. We want to work with you and continue to improve your quality of life.”

Garrick responded by saying, &#8220A hearty amen to everything Sylvia has said. And isn't it great to see smiling faces on such a dreary day. Aren't we glad the groundhog didn't see his shadow?”

Garrick said visiting the center in Greenville always made her think about the many complex puzzles participants had assembled over the years.

&#8220I look at all these puzzles, made and framed into pictures and see what beauty they add to this center. Thanks to all of you for what you do.”

Site Manager Cathy Brown said her seniors were her &#8220little ducks.”

&#8220I love each and every one of you, and if I am missing one, I am going to search for my missing duck,” Brown told the seniors with a smile.

Greenville Senior Services Director Mary Braden dittoed the remarks made by the other speakers and encouraged all present to enjoy a slice of cake along with punch or coffee. Guests such as City Clerk Sue Arnold and Mayor's Secretary Barbara Philpot also stopped in to congratulate the center on its 30th anniversary.

As always, seniors enjoyed visiting with fellow attendees, playing cards and dominoes, and stitching away on one of the many quilts the center's quilters have turned out over the years.

&#8220We do have a lot of fun here together,” said retired teacher Bennie Payne. &#8220I'm just not sure I am going to be able to eat my lunch after eating this cake,” she added with a laugh.

The Greenville Senior Center is open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) offering those 60 and over a low-cost, nutritionally balanced lunch, recreational activities, devotionals and music. Exercise equipment is also available. Informative seminars on health and legal issues are also offered to area seniors through the center.

Additional recreational opportunities are found at the Camellia Senior Center on Bolling St. in Greenville.

Contact Cathy Brown at the Nutrition Center at 382-6500 or Mary Braden at 382-0731 for more information.