The Garden City Telegram
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Center director moving on
Published 10/20/2009 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
Norma Nichols has no other reason than, "It's time."
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Brad Nading/Telegram Norma Nichols, right, takes a turn at a Wii bowling game as Matt Garcia looks on earlier this month at the Senior Center of Finney County during a Wii class. Nichols is retiring from her position as director of the center.
After 23 years, she wants to again focus on her family and her hobbies.
Nichols has retired from serving as director of the Senior Center of Finney County since 1986. She also served on the Finney County Committee on Aging as a board member.
She is working minimal hours until her official retirement Nov. 30.
In her retirement, Nichols plans to revisit old hobbies and spend time with her daughters, Danna Knoll, Holcomb, and Deanna Nichols-Stika, Creston, Ohio, as well as her five grandchildren.
"It was time for me to step down and look at other avenues of my life. I've been fortunate to be able to stay home and raise my children. And I've been fortunate to have time to have a fulfilling professional life," Nichols said.
She said she wasn't looking for a career when she went to work for the Senior Center. Nichols joined the work force after she raised two daughters with the help of her late husband, Duane.
"I wanted to spread my wings a bit. Now I have other directions I see my life going. I'm excited about pursuing new avenues," she said.
Nichols said she walked away from hobbies and activities she was doing 23 years ago.
"Those things are still there," she said.
Among her plans, spending time with her five grandchildren and revisiting stained glass projects rate at the top.
Nichols said she had a life-changing year, after Duane's death in January.
"There are lots of life experiences that happen that lead you to look at it differently," she said.
Although she looks forward to relaxation and free time in her retirement, Nichols said she will miss the Senior Center.
"I had an excellent staff. I feel so secure things will continue. And things will continue to improve. We've got new, younger exciting people who will be working and helping," Nichols said.
Nichols' position at the Senior Center and on the Finney County Committee on Aging will be hard to fill, associates said.
Ruth Dunlap, chairman of the FCCA, called Nichols a "go-getter" and said Nichols always came up with new ideas and supported others' ideas.
"We're in a dilemma. She always was so involved," Dunlap said.
Six members make up the FCCA. Dunlap said Monday she wasn't sure of the next step to replace Nichols.
Barbara Jensen, business manager of the Senior Center, said Nichols had always worked hard at the center.
"We're disappointed to see her go. We wish her well," Jensen said.
Jensen didn't know the plans for replacing Nichols but hopes the position will be filled by January.
Senior Center patrons, like Nichols' associates, also will miss her.
Bob Russell, who sat at a card table playing dominoes at the Senior Center Monday afternoon, said Nichols was a "real nice lady."
"She was a very good director. We couldn't ask for a better one," he said.
The Senior Center offers events, education, classes, support groups, special services, crafts and recreation for senior citizens.
The Senior Center of Finney County is funded by Finney County, Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Kansas Department of Aging, Kansas Department of Transportation, Finnup Foundation, Mary Jo Williams Charitable Trust, the city of Garden City, United Way and private donations from local businesses and supporters.
The center serves about 50 people a day for lunch.
The Senior Center's budget for 2010 is about $1,250,000, according to Jensen.
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