CAZENOVIA — The Cazenovia Area Senior Association (CASA) has planned several luncheons, day trips, and other events for the final months of 2023.

The organization provides educational and recreational activities for seniors ages 55 and older residing within the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD), which encompasses the Towns of Cazenovia, Nelson, and Fenner.

On Sept. 21, the organization is heading to The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed in Erieville for shopping and lunch.

On Oct. 5, CASA will hold its second annual lasagna luncheon at The Brewster Inn, and on Oct. 25, a group will charter an Onondaga Coach bus to Belhurst Castle in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Region for lunch, wine tastings, and shopping. The day will conclude with a tour of the Seneca Depot Deer Haven Park.

The traditional CASA Thanksgiving luncheon is scheduled for Nov. 16 at the Hampton Inn & Suites Cazenovia.

On Dec. 6, CASA will welcome the holiday season with lunch at Phoebe’s Restaurant in Syracuse followed by a Syracuse Stage production of “A Christmas Carol.”

On Dec. 14, members will gather for a holiday luncheon at the Lincklaen House and a tour of the decorated mansion at the Lorenzo State Historic Site.

Registration is required for all upcoming events. Call 315-825-5710 to reserve a spot.

CASA was formed in 2007 to address a recognized need in the community for an organization to provide services, such as recreational activities and social opportunities, to seniors. The group began operating a year later with assistance from the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce.

CASA receives funding from the Town and Village of Cazenovia, the Town of Nelson, and the Town of Fenner. The organization works in close partnership with Community Resources for Independent Seniors (CRIS), another Cazenovia-area organization dedicated to helping seniors age within the community.

“There is a tremendous need to provide these activities for our senior population, and we continue to strive for expanded awareness of our programs within the three townships that help to fund CASA,” said CASA President Chuck Amos, who also serves on the CRIS board. “[Our] board and officers are all volunteers; we derive our satisfaction from participating in the programs and seeing the support and enjoyment they provide to our members.”

According to Amos, all CCSD residents ages 55 and older are automatically members of CASA. Any senior interested in participating in events can call the organization to be added to the mailing list and receive monthly invitations.

“There are no dues because costs are covered by the support we receive from the towns and village plus event fees,” Amos said.

Non-members can attend CASA functions for a slightly higher fee.

The organization currently has around 100 active members, defined as those who attend more than one or two events annually.

“I am gratified that our efforts to generate a greater awareness of CASA have definitely helped us steadily increase our active membership,” said Amos.

Typical luncheons have 60 to 70 attendees and trip events usually draw 40 to 45 members.

According to Amos, two CASA events this year were particularly well received.

The first was an early spring trip to the Village of Hamilton that included lunch at the Colgate Inn, shopping at the Colgate Bookstore, and the Hamilton Theater’s premier of the film “A Man Called Otto.”

On Aug. 29, CASA members enjoyed lunch at the Springside Inn followed by “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at The REV Theatre in Auburn.

“The performance was superb,” said Amos.

For more information on CASA and upcoming events, call 315-825-5710 or visit the CASA Facebook page.