Back in 1978, Inge Frese occasionally joined her parents for Friday night potluck dinners at a center for older adults in Escondido. Her mother taught the German Club there until she was 96, and Inge became a regular visitor.

More than four decades later, Inge is still coming to the Park Avenue Community Center — for her own enjoyment! She loves painting and making things during Art with Lina sessions, concocting tasty treats in Baking with Vanessa lessons, tai chi and other Live Well programs, and eating delicious, hot meals with friends.

A former librarian and planner, Inge has special appreciation for the work that goes into running programs for older adults — often with a festive atmosphere.

Park Avenue Community Center has seen its share of changes over the years, evolving from the former Joslyn Center to the Escondido Senior Center before becoming Park Avenue. What hasn’t changed is the center’s commitment to enriching the lives of older adults — a shining example of resiliency as California celebrates 50 years of dedicated services at the state level.