Our Favorite Moments: A Recap of 2025
As we step into a new year, we can’t help but look back at the moments that made last year so special at The Center. It wasn’t just the events on the calendar or the programs on the schedule—it was the laughter shared over coffee, the friendships formed around card tables, the quiet conversations in the hallways, and the joy of simply being together. Everyone has a favorite memory, whether it was a big event or a small, meaningful moment, and we’d love to take a moment to celebrate those memories that made last year feel like home.
As you may already know, several of the current staff members were new hires as of 2025. Executive Director, Darcy Walkowiak, stepped into big shoes in May of 2025, and Gambling Manager, Jana Hansen, followed not long after. Here are their favorite memories of 2025.
Darcy shared that one of her favorite memories was how The Center members, staff, and volunteers pivoted seamlessly (with very little notice) when severe thunderstorms hit and rained out the annual picnic at Lum Park. Everyone pulled together, and the whole party was moved to The Center’s Great Room. Around 125 members stayed in good spirits and had a delightful time, nonetheless. She also added that the next time anyone sees Alex from Pike Plumbing, ask him about the owl story!
Executive Director, Darcy Walkowiack
Becky Flansburg and Trina Johnson were brought on board to fill the role of long-time Director’s Administrator, Karen Gruenwald, and yes, it took TWO of them to replace Karen! Here are their favorite memories from 2025.
Trina: “One of my favorite memories of 2025, was the Holiday Craft Show that was held in November,” she shared. “It was so busy and so fun. We sold donuts like crazy and everyone was in a great mood!”
Becky: “One of my overall favorite memories (besides my awesome coworkers and boss) is the relegalization that every day at The Center is different. It’s always bust (which I love), and no day is ever the same. I flourish in that kind of environment!”
Lead Quilter, Harley Ellis: “My highlight of the last year was the transition in management. DeAnn and Karen left some pretty big shoes to fill. Darcy, Becky and Trina have been able to build on that legacy and help The Center flourish. Thank you to all of you!”
2025 by The Numbers
In the 365 days of 2025, The Center:
- Made over 10,500 dozen donuts
- Welcomed 257+ New Members
- Added 2 New Boilers
- Added 4 New Team Members
- Ended the year with over 2700 Followers on Facebook
- Our Volunteers logged over 18, 000 hours.
- The Boiler Fund: our community fundraised over $61,000 to replace the boiler.
2025 was an amazing year for The Center. This is what everyone made possible!
- One Huge Plant Sale
- 12 Second Monday Dinners
- 11 Lunch and Learns
- 3 Craft Shows and Bake Sales
- Annual Rummage Sale
- 51 Wednesday Bingos and 6 Bingo Events
- Let’s Go Fishing
- 2 National Night Outs
- Deann’s and Karen’s Retirement Party
- Comedy Show
- The Center’s Summer Picnic
- The Center’s Christmas party
- Design a Donut Contest
- And so much more!
Every event hosted, meal served, card played, and improvement made reflects the heart of this community. Whether you volunteered behind the scenes, attended an event, donated, or simply walked through our doors—you played a role in making 2025 a year to remember.
From all of us at The Center: thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to celebrating what we’ve built together—and looking ahead to an even brighter 2026.
