By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

For over a decade, Cazenovia Area Senior Association (CASA) has provided activities and services to individuals age 55 and over residing in the towns of Nelson, Fenner and Cazenovia.

CASA was formed in 2007 to address the recognized community need 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.

“The plan was to help create [an] environment in which older neighbors from the Madison County Towns of Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson can successfully age in place [and] ‘age in the community,’” said CASA President Chuck Amos. “Our current mission statement is that CASA exists to enhance the lives of seniors in our community by offering opportunities for meals, entertainment, socialization and mental stimulation.”

A few of the organization’s recent pre-COVID activities included trips to the Corning Museum of Glass and performances at Syracuse Stage.

CASA receives funding from the Town and Village of Cazenovia, as well as from the Towns of Fenner and Nelson.

“We do charge for our events . . . but we are able to provide transportation, meals and admission fees at very affordable rates because of the funding we receive,” Amos said.

According to Amos, the most significant change in the organization since its inception has been the shift from a paid director to an all-volunteer board of directors.

CASA works in close partnership with Community Resources for Independent Seniors (CRIS) — another Cazenovia-area organization dedicated to helping seniors to age within the community.

“While CRIS is more focused on needs such as transportation to appointments and other services, CASA seeks to address social and entertainment needs,” explained Amos. “Recognizing that CRIS and CASA both serve the senior community, the two organizations maintain a very close relationship, including a designated board member as our liaison with CRIS.”

The COVID-19 has forced CASA to temporarily curtail all activities.

Meanwhile, the CASA board has continued to meet on a regular basis to plan for how the organization will function when group activities resume.

On Nov. 6, Amos reported that the CASA board had decided to tentatively schedule a few events, beginning with a holiday lunch at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Dec. 9 at 12 p.m.

The $5 meal will include turkey and all the fixings. Social distancing and face coverings will be required. Attendance is limited to 50 individuals and reservations must be made by Nov. 25.

A $5 lasagna dinner at the Hampton Inn has also been scheduled for Feb. 11.

CASA is planning a day trip to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York on June 21 with lunch at a local restaurant and a winery visit.

Additionally, the board is looking into the possibility of attending a “Hamilton” performance at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse.

“While we all recognize the need to be very cautious during the pandemic, our board is trying to plan a way forward that will require strict adherence to NYS COVID-19 rules while attempting to provide some social activities,” Amos said. “Previously, we had monthly lunches with members bringing dishes to pass, but this is obviously not permissible in the current environment.”

Throughout the pandemic, the CASA board has been very focused on expanding its mailing and emailing lists to foster more effective communication with its membership.

As part of that effort, the board has been developing a website (CazCasa.org) to highlight all of the organization’s planned activities.

According to Amos, the website should be operational in the next few weeks.

“In the meantime, we hope that members will provide contact information as we try to build our base to be ready for the return to more normal times,” he said.

The organization has also been working to enhance its Facebook page, “Cazenovia Area Senior Association.”

“We are trying to encourage people to ‘like’ our Facebook page and provide information to be added to our newsletter mailing list,” Amos said. “We have also changed our phone number to 315-825-5710, which people may call to provide a mailing address so that we can send a reservation form for the upcoming lunches.”

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