My name is Kathryn Kiperash, and I am on the board of directors and the tour director of a wonderful Coeur d'Alene senior travel group, the Rambling Rovers. Rambling Rovers love to travel. We take day trips, overnight trips, short trips and long trips, cruises, and tours all over the world. BUT, we've had an unexpected trip. The Rovers next trip is leaving the Senior Center, we've been kicked out! Or is it called that anymore since they took the "senior" off the sign out front of the building?

The Rovers have been a part of the senior center for many years with most of our members also members of the senior center. Yes, we were just renters at the senior center, but the Rovers brought many seniors into the center. We always felt welcome, and our organizations complimented each other. We worked well together.

Recently, the senior center board of directors hired Rick Currie and suddenly the Rovers were evicted. They want to put a computer room in the office space that the Rovers rented from the center. Is there really only one space in the entire building that can accommodate computers?

Mr. Currie has stated that the center is in the red, and having a hard time making ends meet, but, I feel we all could have worked together to find a solution. I think the seniors in our community need to stand together, find a new board of directors, and bring the center back to serve its purpose and needs of our seniors! It makes me sad to see what the director and board are doing to our seniors of Coeur d'Alene.

The Rovers have found a new home at Bestland of Coeur d'Alene who has welcomed us with open arms, as well as the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn who will be hosting our monthly luncheons.

Please attend the center's board meetings and find out for yourself what is happening before the seniors don't have a home anymore!

KATHRYN KIPERASH

Spokane