Hamlin set to retire as senior director

Jackson County Senior Services Director Cheryl Hamlin knows better than anyone that the Jackson County Senior Center at Holton is more than just a meal site for area residents. 

“This place means more to these people than anyone is ever going to know because it isn’t just about the meal,” Hamlin said. “It’s being able to interact and see people every day and being able to touch base with someone. And it’s the same thing on the home-delivered meals. Sometimes we’re that person’s only point of contact for the entire day.”

Hamlin is set to retire as the director of the county senior program at the end of November after serving in that role for 17 years. She has worked for the county for a total of 36 years, serving in the treasurer’s department for 19 years. Amanda Spalding was hired on Sept. 2 to serve as the new director. 

When Hamlin applied for the director’s position in 1998, she said she was a “ready for a change” from her job as deputy treasurer.

“I had worked in a nursing home at one time, and I really enjoyed working with elderly people,” she said.

Hamlin was instrumental in moving the senior center from it previous location, which now houses Holton Parks and Recreation, to its current location at 312 Pennsylvania Ave. in 2001. 

“It was really dark and dreary over in the other location,” Hamlin said. “We received two large donations, and the commissioners agreed to purchase the current building and to make the switch.”

Hamlin drew up a layout of the building on the computer and worked with a local general contractor to renovate the building. 

“We now had the room to do the things people wanted to do safely because people used to have to go up and down stairs,” she said. “This building holds more people. It was a fantastic improvement to what we did have.” 

The move also increased the number of meals served each day. Hamlin said the center serves about 70 people at the Holton center every day, Monday through Friday, plus 30 additional meals delivered to seniors in their homes and at the Denison senior center. 

The meals are free, but a $1 to $3 donation per meal is suggested. Reservations must also be made by calling (785) 364-3571. The meals at the center are part of the Title III-C Nutrition program, and a dietitian approves the menu. 

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. at the Holton center each day, but people show up as early as 9 a.m. to play cards, work on puzzles or play pool. An exercise class is offered a few days a week and people also spend time painting and making crafts and jewelry. It’s not uncommon for someone to sit at one of the center’s pianos to entertain a group enjoying their meal, Hamlin said. 

Hamlin is a Holton native and graduated from Holton High School in 1967.

In her retirement, she and her husband, Richard, plan to spend more time with their family, which includes four kids, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She also plans to come to the center for lunch from time to time.

“You really get to know the people you are serving and get to know their personalities, and you end up just loving them to death,” she said. “It’s going to be really hard not seeing them everyday. It’s been a great job working for the county. This is probably the best job I’ve ever had.”

Amanda Spalding

Spalding has worked at the Jackson County Senior Center in Holton for 14 years, serving as a “jack of all trades,” Hamlin said. 

Spalding was initially hired for a fill-in position, but over the years, she has served as the transportation specialist, transporting seniors to doctors’ offices and stores. This is a service offered Mondays and Fridays at the center. She’s also cooked meals at the center and helped Hamlin with maintenance issues. 

Prior to her promotion to director, Spalding was the site director of the Holton center. As site director, she was responsible for the daily reservations at the center and keeping track of the number of people served. She was also in charge of parties, special programs and other duties. 

Before working for the county, she was a stay-at-home mom, and she also worked at a local pharmacy.

“While working at the pharmacy, I discovered I really liked working with the elderly,” Spalding said. “Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, and I just love that generation.”

Spalding said that, as director, she wants to continue the hard work Hamlin has put into the department.

“I’ve watched Cheryl over the years and witnessed what she’s done with the program, and I really just want to see it move forward,” she said. “She’s kind of groomed me for this position since I’ve been here, and now is the right time in my life to take that over.”

Spalding said she doesn’t foresee making any big changes right now to the department as director.

“I am sure as things move along there may be things that come up but, as of right now, the people are happy and they are familiar with me,” she said.

A native of Arrington, Spalding and her husband, Brian, have three children and one grandchild. 

Hamlin said that with Spalding taking over as director, she knows the department is in good hands.

“I have had so much stress lifted off my shoulders knowing she’s taking over,” Hamlin said. “I have so much confidence in her that she’ll do a wonderful job.”

A director and six employees, most of whom work part time, operate the department. 

Spalding said she would like to encourage everyone to visit the center at least once for a meal.

“I hear from a lot of people that they don’t think they are old enough to come here,” Spalding said. “You have to be 60. It’s just an opportunity for people to sit down and have dinner with someone.”