News Photo by Darby Hinkley The Alpena Senior Citizens Center will reopen to the public on Tuesday. Pictured from left to right are Alpena Senior Center staff members BJ Sander, Rosa Greene, Brian Wozniak, Annie Hepburn, Mike Stauffer, Cindy Josey, Kendra Tuscher and Joette Putkamer.

ALPENA — The wait is almost over.

Alpena County seniors can get back into the swing of things on Tuesday, as the Alpena Senior Citizens Center will reopen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center will offer lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and will be open for socializing and interaction. Curbside meals are still available.

“We will be bringing back quilting and card playing the following week,” said Annie Hepburn, senior center director. “And all other programs will resume in August.”

Shopping transportation will likely be offered in August. She said in-person exercise class will resume in August, but Zoom programs will continue to be offered in July, including exercise and book club.

“We’re kind of taking a slower approach just because we’ve been closed for a year-and-a-half, and we want to make sure that everybody’s safe and that we’re all feeling comfortable,” Hepburn said.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the center closed in early 2020. Staff has been working in the office, which has been closed to the public. Meals on Wheels have still been delivered during the closure, and in-home services have been provided as well. Transportation for medical appointments has also been offered throughout most of the pandemic.

Hepburn said they will adjust their staffing levels as needed once they find out how many people will be attending the center. She added that health and safety guidelines will be followed and adjusted based on the comfort level of patrons.

“We want to look at how everybody’s doing, just kind of get the schedule back down, and make sure we have the correct safety precautions and staffing in place,” Hepburn said.

The pandemic cut off many in-person programs, but allowed seniors to learn how to use a new platform, Zoom, for online interactions.

“Some of our programs will continue being Zoom for probably long-term,” Hepburn said. “We’re looking at those options.”

Using the book club as an example, Hepburn noted that Zoom has allowed the center to participate with University of Michigan-Flint students and staff, and allowed participants from downstate.

“I think technology has really broadened our awareness and knowledge that we can offer potentially more programs than we were before, because of that opportunity,” Hepburn said.

She is looking forward to seeing more seniors in person, but she understands if some may not feel comfortable coming back yet.

“I’m interested to see, when our seniors come back, have they changed, and are their needs a little bit different than they were before?” Hepburn said. “We want to be there for them … Social isolation has kind of been a big thing.”

The senior center is located at 501 River St., Alpena. Call 989-356-3585 for more information.

“I’m excited,” Hepburn said of reopening. “I think we’re ready … I don’t know if it’s ever going to be normal, but we want to get close to normal, and I think our seniors are ready for us. And I also understand if people aren’t comfortable yet. I get that. But we are here for them, they can reach out to us, and if we can help them with resources, we will.”

Reach Darby Hinkley at 989-358-5691 or dhinkley@thealpenanews.com.