History of Buchanan Area Senior Center
Happy, Active, Living
Formerly known as Buchanan Senior Services, we provided services to area seniors from 1977 to 1984, funded by the City of Buchanan, Buchanan Township and donations. In March of 1982, HUD funded the city's construction of the building at 131 South Oak Street for senior programming and community activities. Greater Niles-Buchanan Committee on Aging funded services and programs in Buchanan as a satellite program from 1984 to 2002. In October, 2002, Buchanan Senior Services became an independent non-profit group with the name Buchanan Area Senior Center (BASC) and was funded by private donations and the City of Buchanan. In 2006 Buchanan Area Senior Center started receiving county millage tax support, along with the 6 other Senior Centers in Berrien County.
In March, 2010, BASC began construction of our new building at 810 Rynearson Street, Buchanan, and moved into the new building in December, 2010. In the Spring of 2022, we began our first expansion of the new facility, with the creation of the Stephens Memorial Sunroom, adding 800 square feet of indoor space. The Center continues operating with county millage funds, donations, grants, fundraisers and many wonderful volunteers. Senior Nutrition provides the daily nutrition program. Many instructors, contractors and community partners help us offer a suite of programs and services to help older adults maintain a lively social life and successfully age in place. We welcome people 55 and up to our center. Please see the Programs and Services pages and our Patron Manual for more information, or just come on down and check it out in person, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.
Buchanan Community School preschoolers selecting and showing off the mittens knitted for them by BASC volunteers. Every year BASC volunteers knit enough mittens for every preschooler in Buchanan to have a new pair for winter. It's love in the form of warm and colorful mittens!
The BASC Team
The BASC is a charitable non-profit organization (501c3) governed by a Board of Directors. You can view the current Board members, staff, instructors and program partners by clicking the + signs below. The Board meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. at the BASC, 810 Rynearson Street. We invite you to attend to learn more about how the BASC is managed. We value hearing from our patrons and provide a public comment section during the Board meeting.
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President
Deborah Hendrix
Vice President
Jeanne Harris
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Treasurer
Dylan Carden
Thirty-five years of experience in professional social work, law enforcement, and executive administration. Employed with both governmental and private agencies. Currently, retired from active employment. Locally involved in community service through the Buchanan Area Senior Center and the One Buchanan Board. General goals related to community service work is to assist in creating a diverse, professional people orientated, educational, unparalleled model for and with the community. Excellence is the goal, commitment is the rule, Quality service delivery is the desired result. The team will deliver.
I was born and raised in Buchanan, graduated from Buchanan High School and attended Lake Michigan College. I held several positions at local companies in Buchanan, worked at Clark Equipment Company in HR and Purchasing. When Clark relocated, I gained employment at Clark Credit Corporation as a Documentation Coordinator, auditing and approving dealer loans. When Clark Credit also relocated, I gained employment at Weldun, which later became the Robert Bosch Corporation, and held several positions in the Sales Department and Purchasing. I am quite involved in the community of Buchanan, currently serving as the Vice President of the Buchanan Area Senior Center Board and the Buchanan Area Recreation Board, also a One Buchanan Board member, and a member of the Buchanan Northside Neighborhood Advocates group. I have a passion for my volunteer work supporting older adults in our community and the community at large.
I joined the Board in December, 2023, and was elected as Board Treasurer in January 2024. I work for William Blair, an investment management firm in Chicago, as an analyst specializing in consumer technology and specialty retail, and bring this financial knowledge to my role at BASC Treasurer. I have an undergraduate degree in English from Kenyon College and an M.B.A. from Indiana University with a concentration in finance and accounting My wife, Elizabeth, and I live on a horse farm on Glendora Road north of Buchanan. We moved to Buchanan a few years ago and absolutely love it. We moved here so Elizabeth could launch InnerFreedom (https://innerfreedom.info), offering a unique therapy experience with horses. We love our life on the farm and attending concerts on The Common.
Secretary
Judi Jason
Director
Josetta Bibbs
Director
Tony Houser
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, I moved to Chicago and experienced a career in radio advertising sales, marketing, and forklift sales. After retiring we moved to Buchanan in 2010. I started as a volunteer at Fernwood Botanical Garden and was hired as the volunteer coordinator until 2018. I'm now volunteering at the Buchanan Area Senior Center (BASC), serving on the Board of Directors and taking advantage of all the great activities the BASC offers. I enjoy watercolor painting, pottery, crafts, reading, and cooking. My Husband Tim, Coco the dog and I live in the White Oaks community.
Director
Jess Minks
Director
Leona Wonacott
Executive Director
Adam Burck
Adam is a community and economic development professional who came to the BASC in January 2019, after spending much of his career in Chicago and a few years in West Africa. He is happy to share stories of his many adventures! He focuses on building coalitions and project teams, advocating for policies, leveraging resources to implement goals and visions, prioritizing sustainable development practices, and improving management processes and tools. He loves his work at the BASC and gains much satisfaction serving the elders in our community. Adam also serves on the State Advisory Council on Aging and on the Board of Directors of One Buchanan, a City of Buchanan Board focused on creating an inclusive community that values and celebrates our diversity. In his free time he loves to go on hikes, garden, travel and visit the beautiful sites in Southwest Michigan.
Executive Director
Adam Burck
Adam is a community and economic development professional who came to the BASC in January 2019, after spending much of his career in Chicago and a few years in West Africa. He is happy to share stories of his many adventures! He focuses on building coalitions and project teams, advocating for policies, leveraging resources to implement goals and visions, prioritizing sustainable development practices, and improving management processes and tools. He loves his work at the BASC and gains much satisfaction serving the elders in our community. Adam also serves on the State Advisory Council on Aging and on the Board of Directors of One Buchanan, a City of Buchanan Board focused on creating an inclusive community that values and celebrates our diversity. In his free time he loves to go on hikes, garden, travel and visit the beautiful sites in Southwest Michigan.
Office Manager/Elder Care
Jayme Marrow
Jayme grew up in Galien and currently lives in Edwardsburg. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, Haylee and Eli; watching NFL football; cooking and baking. She came to the BASC in September, 2021, and is enjoying working within a wonderful community of people.
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Staff Assistant
Terry Perkins
Terry was born in Plainwell, Michigan, and then moved to Texas and lived in Amarillo and Nacogdoches and graduated high school as a Nacogdoches Golden Dragon! Terry then joined the carnival circuit for a year showing 4 animals and then followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the navy and served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield from 1990-91. He then moved back to Buchanan and volunteered at the BASC for a year and then was hired as part of the team as staff assistant and medical transportation driver. He loves his work and has much fun with the patrons of the BASC.
Administrative Assistant
Tammy Ross
Tammy grew up in New Troy, but has lived and worked in the Buchanan area since she was sixteen. She is currently enjoying working at the BASC as an Administrative Assistant. After spending a few years at home taking care of her family, she is excited to be reconnecting with the community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 41 years, Jack, her daughter Molly, son, Mack and daughter-in-law, Erin and two grandchildren, Lily and Emmett. She loves working outside in her butterfly garden, doing photography and fishing on the St. Joseph River.
Program Coordinator
Diana Smuda
Working at the BASC is even better than Diana could have ever imagined! She loves to sit with the patrons and have conversations, to share hugs, and to encourage everyone. Diana is the Program Coordinator which gives her the opportunity to bring in programs that offer educational information, physical exercise, socialization, and overall well-being. Each day, Diana’s intention is to bring kindness and joy to all her friends at the center; develop relationships with the patrons along with local organizations and businesses; and offer programs that are fun, interesting, and promotes a ‘Happy, Active, Living’ lifestyle. In her free time you can find her sitting next to a campfire enjoying the outdoors, walking in the woods, and spending time with loved ones.
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SNS Site Manager
Kerri Pettie
Kerri Pettie is the BASC Site Manager for Senior Nutrition Services/Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan. She has held the position for almost 8 years. Kerri was born and raised in Buchanan and is a Buchanan High School graduate. Kerri has an Associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College. Kerri now lives in Niles. She enjoys spending time with her family.
Chair Yoga
Sara Burns
Sara Burns lives in Galien with her husband, two year old daughter, two dogs, and two cats. She works full time as an environmental scientist. She has been practicing yoga for 17 years, and received a 200 hour yoga teacher certification from the Authentic Movements teacher training program. She enjoys spending time in nature and baking. As a yoga teacher, she focuses on a sense of integration, activation, and playfulness.
Chair Fitness
Lizz Carmichael
Lizz Carmichael, is from Niles, MI and began working as a fitness instructor in 2015. Her journey at the BASC also began that same year, in 2015. She loves being a fitness instructor because of the positive environment and how sharing the energy of working out in a group helps build each other up. Lizz’s goal is to help others achieve their personal fitness goals and to have a positive impact on their lives through building a relationship. Lizz has certifications in Group X, Lives Strong, Enhanced Fitness, POUND Fitness, plus more. She is also stays busy being a mother of four children. Lizz instructs Chair Exercise on Fridays at 10:00 am.
Zumba, Low-Impact, Chair Fitness
Cecilia B. Cheney
Cecilia B. Cheney, aka Cecil or “CC” lives in Niles, Michigan and has been a fitness instructor since 2011. She started to teach Chair Exercise at the BASC in 2014. “CC” loves teaching at the BASC and brings uplifting energy to her classes. She also loves to teach Dancing to the Oldies class at the BASC, which is a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves, which help improve cardiovascular fitness. “CC” loves to see her students healthy and happy. Her goal is to improve one’s health, build strong muscles to be able to keep moving and reduce the risk of developing several diseases. “CC” is currently teaching Zumba Low-Impact on Mondays at 11:00 am and Chair Exercise on Wednesday’s at 10:15 am.
Osteo Fit, PowerBeats, Trainer
Melissa Rodgers
Melissa Rodgers, lives in Niles, MI and is an ACE certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. In 2011, she began working in the fitness world and a few years later started instructing at the BASC. In 2021 she pushed herself to offer more fitness classes and received her personal training certification. Melissa’s has a passion for working with the senior community, she loves to help others get stronger and help with their fitness goals. She loves the feeling of excitement when she builds friendships with her clients and helps them with their life goals. Melissa is mother of two teenage daughters and a sweet dog. She also has a passion for photography and is a part-time portrait photographer. Melissa is currently instructing Osteo Fit for Life on Tuesdays at 9:00 am, Powerbeats on Fridays at 9:00 am, and offers personal training.
Chair Fitness
Linda VanOverberghe
Linda VanOverberghe, grew up in Buchanan and her life took her to South Bend, Indiana. Linda was in her early thirties when she was asked to be an exercise instructor by the manager at the fitness center she worked out. Linda has been teaching exercise and line dancing for a couple of decades to all ages. Her favorite things about instructing are the people, being around others, and having fun together. In each of Linda’s classes, you will always hear laughter. She has three children, six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Linda instructs Chair Exercise on Mondays at 11:00 am.
Quilting & Sewing Instructor
Mary Weaver
Mary Weaver, lives in Bridgman, MI and has been teaching a variety of crafts, painting, and sewing classes for over 20 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and shares her expertise with the BASC patrons. Mary began teaching crafts/painting at Lakeshore Enrichment classes which lead her to opened her personal studio. Since the spring of 2023, on Tuesdays, you can find Mary at the BASC teaching the Quilting and Sewing program. She has also has taught many BASC craft and painting classes. Mary enjoys teaching because she gets to see the excitement and joy of her students. Her students leave her classes with a completed project that they are proud of, they appreciate their experience, and they make new friends who support each other. Mary volunteers her time with teaching the Quilting and Sewing program, plus all the time cutting material for the projects, and everything else it takes for a successful class. Mary was awarded the New Volunteer of the Year award at the BASC 2023-2024 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Quilting and Sewing is offered at the BASC on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm. Project classes do require you call 695-7119 to register, as her classes fills up quickly.
Community Partner
Buchanan Meadows
Buchanan Meadows provides the monthly fasting blood sugar testing at the BASC. Buchanan Meadows is a full-service assisted living community. Our residents live life on their terms, surrounded by experienced, dedicated staff that offer personalized care with compassion. Whether you or your loved one needs around-the-clock care or help coping with memory-related disease, our years of experience and dedication make us the right choice.
Community Partner
Buckteens
The BASC partners with the Buckteens Committee to coordinate the annual Buckteens class reunion for Buchanan High School alumni. Buchanan H.S., alumni who graduated 40+ years ago are Buckteens and are invited to this very popular annual gathering.
Community Partner
One Buchanan
BASC partners with the One Buchanan organization. One Buchanan’s Mission is to promote awareness of our rich diversity through education, activities, and programs that strengthen an inclusive community. Since 2018, the BASC has hosted the educational forums presented by One Buchanan that have included an Ageism Forum, a Black History Forum, two Mental Health Forums and a Native American Heritage Forum.
Eyeglass Repair
MaryAnne Penwell
Mary Anne Penwell helps patrons with minor eyeglass adjustments and repairs on the third Thursday of each month from 9:30 – 10:30 am. She grew up in Dowagiac, MI and moved to Buchanan when she married her husband, Dave. They have one daughter and one grandson. Mary Anne worked for the local optometrists, Dr. Benedict, fixing glasses and managing the office for 36 years. Over the years she has enjoyed reading, playing the piano, and putting together puzzles.
Hearing Aid Checks
Dr. Michelle Ridenour
Dr. Michelle Ridenour has been serving patients at West Michigan Hearing Specialist since 2009. Prior to her employment at West Michigan Hearing Specialists, she received her Bachelor of Science degree at Ball State University in Speech-Language and Audiology and her Doctorate of Audiology degree at Western Michigan University. She was drawn to field of audiology because of the direct impact hearing healthcare can have on a person’s quality of life. Dr. Ridenour strives to make long-lasting, personal relationships with each of her patients and works diligently to provide the best quality of service. Dr. Michelle Ridenour is at the center on the second Tuesday of each month from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, for free hearing aid checks, along with wax checks and removal.
Foot Clinic
Jane Sherwin
Blessed Feet, LLC offers a foot clinic at our facility, the second Thursday of each month. Jane Sherwin, is a registered nurse who has been clipping toenails since 2008. She visits 6 Berrien County senior centers and has 10 foot clinics in the month. Jane began working for Lakeland Hospital, then Van's Medical Equipment and in April 2021 she became self-employed working under the name of Blessed Feet, LLC. If you are interested in having Jane, take care of your toenails she requires a doctor's consent form, which you can get from BASC. Call 269-695-7119 for more information. Jan is happy to be able to care for your feet.