NORTH POLE - At 25 and counting, Santa’s Seniors is thriving at its Fifth Avenue center in North Pole.

The senior center observed its silver anniversary at its regular third Wednesday of the month luncheon meeting with a special cake marking its Jan. 30, 1985, incorporation.

A larger celebration is being planned for sometime in the summer, said Santa’s Seniors President James Hunter.

Anna Powell, a former Salcha resident and still a longtime Santa’s Seniors member, procured and donated a flag that flew over the nation’s Capitol on Dec. 10, 2009, for the occasion.

Founding members Kaye Baker and Grace Ford, the first Santa’s Seniors president, have passed away, but Ford’s daughter, Francie Cork, is continuing in her mother’s footsteps. Cork was sworn in as secretary Wednesday.

“It’s really special,” Cork said. “I know my mom loved 17-Mile Homemakers and Santa’s Seniors; that is where her heart lay.

“It is really an honor and I’m really looking forward to taking the office.”

Right from its beginnings, the organization was active in pursuing a home of its own. In 1987, the city of North Pole offered the old city hall offices at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Snowman Lane, where Santa’s Seniors is located today. Eventually, members expanded the center and remodeled the entire building, which originally had served the city in its early days as post office, police station, fire station and school.

Today, members like Leon LaSalle would like to see an addition to the center to include a small gym with exercise equipment.

Among the center’s many activities are a daily hot breakfast served Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a $5 charge; First Saturday potluck, game and movie night; weekly Friday afternoon games; and a monthly birthday luncheon. The center is also a pickup point for Food Bank food boxes on Wednesdays and Saturdays and features a craft shop.

The center boasts a full kitchen and two dining areas and is available to rent for group or club functions.

More than 50 members turned out Wednesday for a home-cooked luncheon of spaghetti (two varieties), salad and garlic bread.

Some members, like Donna Krier who enjoys the friendly North Pole crowd, travel from Fairbanks for Santa’s Seniors activities.

Membership in the senior organization is open to anyone age 50 and older. At last count, Santa’s Seniors had 265 registered dues-paid members.

Contact staff writer Mary Beth Smetzer at 459-7546.