Northwest Farm Credit Services awards $3000 grant to Malta Senior Citizens for remodel of front door of center

Whitney Grant, Glasgow Farm Credit Services, was in Malta May 6, 2022, to award a $3000 check to the local members of the center. Other Farm Credit personnel assisting the group with the grant were Beth Johnson and Heidi Whitman, Director, Marketing and Public Relations.

The remodel project spearheaded by Ken Ruzicka, board member, who did the majority of the leg work towards the project, has spent countless hours working on the remodel. The door has been severally warped from our famous winds and dirt and bugs can enter the cracks with no problem. The new plan will have fewer windows which will aide in the heating and cooling process. The limited use new windows will be thermal-pane; the metal door will have a window on top and be surrounded by metal on both sides.

Later in the fall, an awning will be installed over the front door following the sidewalk down east of the front of building.

Sharon Kindle, board member secured the grant for the group. She stated it takes 8-10 hours of research for each grant before it is awarded.

The group recently held a successful soup luncheon using a free will donation towards the remodel. Earlier in the year, the famous Biscuits and Sausage and Gravy event yielded a sizeable amount to the coffers for the remodel. Fall will see the popular Indian Tacos followed by another soup luncheon later in the fall.

The Center has been successful with grants in the past and serving meals using free will donations to raise money. A complete kitchen remodel, including range, refrigerator and dishwasher was accomplished in this manner. Both bathrooms have been remodeled and five new windows installed in the last few years. A new furnace and air conditioner was installed utilizing mostly grant monies.

The Center was established in April of 1969 and had been the former USDA building prior to that. In April of 2019 the group celebrated 50 years in its present location. Since it is rather old, constant repair seems to be the order of the day. Several members' parents and or grandparents were members of the center. Our secretary played in the band when the center was in the Moose Hall where the post office sits now. It is unclear when the group first formed.

The Center welcomes members, 55 and older, and dues are $15 per year. Bridge, whist, and pinochle are the card games with bingo on Fridays. The Hearing Institute from Gt Falls comes once a month.

The Hall is available for various events for $35 a day which includes use of the kitchen. To inquire as to use the hall, call 654-1392 for more information.