In 1970 Dorothy Stutz and her husband walked into the Senior  Center, saying they wanted to join and learn to play cards. Back then there wasn’t a big new building or even the Pump House. Seniors met at a building located on the corner of Fourth and Franklin. In case you don’t want to do the math, that was 41 years ago, making Dorothy the oldest member among us.

Her husband was lukewarm about the whole thing, but they both learned. They played Euchre, Canasta, and Pinochle. Not only playing cards, they took up square dance lessons. She made all the fancy shirts and skirts for their dancing. When she talked about going square dancing I could see a twinkle in her eyes as she remembered
those dancing days. Dorothy has served as chairman of the Canasta Card group.

Dorothy has lived in Indiana all her life. For the last 13 years she’s had a lovely apartment at the All Saints Community, but that doesn’t mean she sits at home all the time. Spending time traveling, and she also thinks the Mill Race Center trips are grand. Visiting Colorado,  Hawaii, Vancouver, New Orleans, Florida and a host of other places over the years. She also has enjoyed a cruise to Jamaica. Married when she was 22, blessed with 2 sons and one daughter, 7  grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Call-A-Bus is her mode of transportation now days to Mill Race Center where she will be found playing Bingo on Tuesday afternoons. As we were finishing the interview Dorothy commented
about her wish for the benches by the front door entrance in Mill Race Center to have arms. The bench location is where she awaits
for the Call-ABus to take her home and she states the ability for her and others to push against something to help raise from a sitting position would be a benefit. We both agreed with a laugh no one has to wait until the age of 96 for help in “getting up” to be true. Dorothy likes the new Mill Race Center and hopes it stays looking so nice over the years.

Asking her the key to living into her nineties, she herself doesn’t  understand. What a joy to talk with and I hope I can be as spry and happy when I reach that magical age.