OTTUMWA — It is 11:15 a.m. and the buzz of conversation fills the cheery dining room at the Ottumwa Senior Center.

John Latham of Blakesburg and Orin Derby of Ottumwa are among the several clusters of early birds visiting until serving begins at 11:30 a.m. The pair compare war experiences as they sit at a table near the door. Latham served in Korea; Derby in Germany.

Coming regularly for the last two-and-one-half-years, Derby said he began eating at the Center “because my daughter said I wasn’t eating right. And, where can you eat for any less money and good food to?” he demanded.

Latham who often eats at the Center agreed the food is always good and reasonable. “I’m a pretty good cook,” he drawled, but “I wouldn’t cook a balanced meal.”

Edna Randal comes every Tuesday because that is the day she can get a ride.

“The place is nice, I enjoy the people, the food is always good, the meals are reasonable,” she said.

Deciding her favorite entrée took a bit of thought before declaring “I love the chicken and the noodles and mashed potatoes and all that fattening stuff,” she smiled.

As do most of the participants, Randal usually stays no more than a couple of hours. She has to be ready when her ride comes to take her home to Camelot Towers.

“It’s nice to get away for a little while,” she said.

Katie Walker, a volunteer for the past 10 or 11 years, usually greets every one as they enter the dining room. She makes sure that newcomers sign in and the regulars are marked on her attendance chart.

The daily count is very important, said Peggy Amos, because funding is based on the number of people served. She explained that the Senior Center is federally, state and locally funded through Seneca Area Agency on Aging. Other funding comes from program funding or an occasional fundraiser done by the board and Senior Center participants,

Amos has a long history of association with the Senior Center as former executive director of Seneca and long time board member. She and her husband, Frank, frequently eat at the Center. They agree that “the food is always very good.”

Frank highly praised Patsy Seals. She “is the glue that holds it [Senior Center] together. She really works hard to see that it goes,” he said.

Seals, board secretary/treasurer, has been with the Senior Center since its inception in the mid 1970s. She said that a local board is a state requirement and is comprised of representatives of agencies serving seniors including public health, RSVP, Seneca, River Hills Community Health Center, Ottumwa Housing Authority, Wapello County Board of Supervisors as well as retirees in the community.

The board owns the building which was donated by the Catholic community seven years ago. After extensive remodeling, funded by donations and special fundraisers, the Senior Center relocated to the new quarters at 117 N. Cooper six years ago, said Seals.