Homer Alaska - News -

"I started the center in 1990, and left at the end of 1993. Then I came back in 2000, and have been there ever since," Calhoun said.

At 68, Calhoun, who has degrees in nursing and philosophy, is feeling the tug to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She has her Homer residence for sale and, when it sells, will relocate to Anchorage where she'll be near family.

"It just seems time to retire," she said.

What she leaves behind is a program that has seen ups and down in its number of participants -- as many as 20 people a day were active in center programs in 2000; now the participation rate is six to seven people a day -- but the joy of observing Friendship Center's impact has been constant.

Among the many activities Friendship Center offers local seniors is interaction with Forget-Me-Not Center, a similar facility in Kenai; an annual talent show "that gives the seniors an opportunity to shine," according to Gaye Pendleton, a 15-year center employee who will become program director upon Calhoun's retirement; a float in Homer's Fourth of July parade; an annual tour of Gull Island aboard the Rainbow Connection; and activities that partner with Boy Scouts, Head Start and local schools.

"This will be the first year we've had Kachemak Kids come and visit with the seniors," Pendleton said of having Homer's younger residents interact with Friendship Center. "Usually when the younger groups come in, we have the seniors read to them. When the older groups come in, they read to the seniors."

Currently, Friendship Center has a new project: making 500 treat bags to be delivered to children in communities visited by the M/V Tustumena on its pumpkin run, the ship's last voyage of the season to Unalaska later this month.

Friendship Center boasts a strong volunteer base. Community members offer exercise and fitness classes, sing-alongs, storytelling and book reading, facials and discussion groups.

No matter what the holiday, the center is always appropriately decorated. Because of the center's size, it also it frequently used by outside groups as a gathering point, interjecting even more activity into the atmosphere.

The current decline in numbers at the center is indicative of options for Homer's senior population.

"When I started (Friendship Center) in 1990, there was only one small assisted living situation and now there are, I think, seven," Calhoun said. "These people have a safety net that wasn't there in 1990."

That doesn't mean, however, that Friendship Center isn't needed. Nor does Calhoun's retirement mean the center will be without a director, thanks to Pendleton.

Like Calhoun, Pendleton recognizes the center's impact on the lives of Homer's senior citizens.

"I see the smiles on the faces of older people, knowing that we're making a difference in their lives, that they can get enjoyment out of the day and aren't just sitting around waiting to die," Pendleton said. "They're doing. They're up. They're giving back to the community. They're laughing. They're excited to be with us."

Pendleton got her license in therapeutic recreation from the state of Utah and began her work with seniors at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Brigham City, Utah, in 1980. She and her husband, Ron, came to Homer in 1991. In addition to her work at the center, she and her husband operate Journeyman's B&B.

As Calhoun prepares to leave Friendship Center, she offered Pendleton three words of advice.

"Enjoy the job," Calhoun said. From her years working beside Pendleton, she added, "She already does."

For Calhoun, Pendleton had similar advice.

"Enjoy yourself," she said, adding. "(Calhoun) put her whole life and soul into (Friendship Center)."

A dessert potluck in honor of Calhoun will be held at the Homer Senior Center dining room at 7 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@hom- ernews.com.