Tamara ‘Tammy” Wieweck is the new president of the Superior Senior Center, best known for its Wednesday evening meals starting at 4:30 p.m. 

Wieweck has lived most of her life in Superior, but being involved at this level with the SSC is new — and she, with her team, have made changes. 

“Well, we’ve changed cooks since I’ve been president. We’ve gotten back into the (Mineral County) fair with our booth. We hadn’t done it for a few years as we didn’t have enough volunteers. We even got some high schoolers to come in and help us out,” she said. “That is my goal is to get more young people involved. We’re working on trying to find some teenagers, young kids, who are willing to do services for the older people. Sidewalks, windows. You know, whatever they need. Take the garbage out. Lawn and garden help. We’ll try to connect people that way. It’s going to be a slow process as this is something we’ve just discussed,” Wieweck explained. 

She said that talks with the schools on community service are forthcoming for spring assistance but right now they are all learning to work together. 

“We’re going through a transition with our new cook and a new board and we’re all learning as everything is new. How to report to which agency and such. So, we are moving forward and I am very positive about where we are going,” she said with a smile. 

Takeout meals are available, but Wieweck encourages people to stay and dine with others for the social attribute. 

“It’s so important that they have that, plus when they are here, we can help figure out what their needs are, if there are any, and do what we can to help them.”

The PA system to make announcements is loud enough for the hearing impaired without blowing the eardrums out for other diners. Bingo is new and starts around 5pm when most everyone has finished eating and it’s another way for people to engage and extend their stay a little longer and have fun. A buck a card and two games are played with the winners receiving donated prizes.

“I was the pastry chef up at The Keep in Missoula for eight or nine years,” said Sonja Crown who has been the assistant cook for two weeks. 

Several patrons pay no attention to the menu and attend just for Crown’s desserts and she is encouraging the center to start up a cribbage night.

Jeanine Waddell has worked in the kitchen since November of 2020 and accepted the position of Chef just two weeks ago so she knows the regular customers. 

“Meatloaf,” she said when asked what is the most popular entree. 

”We serve it every 6 weeks and then after that, it’s a tossup between pork roast, as we had tonight, or enchiladas or shepard's pie, when it comes to favorites.”

The menus are posted on their Facebook page with dine-in at $5.50 and takeout is 50 cents more. A headcount is needed for both takeout and dine-in orders no later than 3:30 p.m. each Wednesday by calling (406) 822-3334 and leaving a message if the phone isn’t answered. They are located at 611 5th Avenue East with their doors opening at 4 p.m. for pre-meal beverages and gossip. 

Ideas to attract more people, and not just senior citizens, are always welcome with hopes that more volunteers will step up to help with planning and shaping their new direction.