The Ashland Senior Center

The Ashland Senior Center has made great strides since it was established by the Boyd County 

Council on Aging in 1970. Originally created to meet the needs of senior citizens in the 

community, it became a reality after discussions with local churches and the council. Initially, 

activities were limited to just one day a week at Calvary Episcopal Church. Later, a permanent 

location was opened at 324 Fifteenth St., and since then, there have been five center directors. 

When director Sue Dowdy announced her departure, she and other board members encouraged 

current director Cheryl Spriggs to apply for the position. Spriggs, now celebrating her second 

anniversary, has implemented several changes to enhance the senior experience. She explains 

that the center's mission is straightforward: to offer a fun, safe, caring and supportive 

environment where seniors can enjoy fellowship, activities and nutritious meals. 

Regarding their desired activities, the seniors prioritized dancing. This request led to a donation 

and the installation of a dance floor. To support dancing, music was obtained through a grant 

Spriggs secured to buy a karaoke machine. Soon, they will host their first sock hop and karaoke 

contest. Looking ahead, Spriggs notes that the center, as a nonprofit, depends on donations. They 

plan to refurbish two vacant apartments upstairs to generate rental income. Additionally, the city 

of Ashland will install a new roof this year using CDBG funds to improve the building's 

condition. 

 

The center offers activities like Bingo, brain games, cornhole, putt-putt tournaments, birthday 

parties and holiday gatherings. There’s also a library and always a jigsaw puzzle in progress. 

Future plans include a movie day. Spriggs emphasizes that happy seniors are determined to stay 

active and engaged. The center also hosts guest speakers who educate seniors on topics like fraud 

prevention, estate planning, HUD housing, fire safety, Medicare/Medicaid and insurance. KDMC 

visits monthly to provide health checks, heart health information, flu shots and assessments for 

diabetes and lung health. The Ashland Fire Department also visits to discuss fire prevention and 

smoke detectors. 

 

The center is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Spriggs and 

her team available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Spriggs concludes, “The people who attend the 

Ashland Senior Center have worked hard, raised families, and been productive members of 

society all their lives. They deserve the best that we can possibly provide, and that is our goal at 

the Center.“

 

Quotes from Senior Center attendees:

“I come to the center to see friends and to feel the gathering of people with good conversation 

and the feeling of caring people. I live alone and I need to feel the presence and the fellowship. 

The meals are very good and healthy, which I need. It is a place where everyone is equal and you 

can feel the closeness. As soon as you go into the center there is a feeling of family and you are 

not alone.” - Joyce Gussler

“Blessed with good food, activities, and lots of love. Safe within and life is good being here.” -

Ms. Carmen

“I come to the center because it gives me somewhere to go plus the food and fellowship and 

Bingo, and the frozen food I get to take home. And, I get to see Miss Rebecca at least three times 

a week.” - Ralph Barker

“We both love to come to the Ashland Senior Center because it gets us out of the house and we 

get to be with other people. We also like to come here because Cheryl will not put up with any 

bull, and she and Rebecca are real fair with everyone.” - Jody and Dave

“I come to the Senior Center to socialize. I like the things they give away during Bingo. Also, I 

like to play games with the friends I have acquired. I like the putt-putt game and corn hole game 

we play. The food is good, too.”- Joyce Fish

“I first started coming to the Senior Center because of my mother. I liked the fellowship she 

received. Then as time went by, I loved coming myself.” - Anonymous

“I like going to the Senior Center because we are all like family, help each other out, have fun, 

and have the best director and sweetest helper, Rebecca.” - Betty Lou Adkins

“I like going to the Senior Center because sometimes we do crafts and do games. The people are 

nice and friendly, and they have yummy food to eat.” - Alison Adkins