The Columbiana County Seniors (registered with the Internal Revenue Service as the Seniors of Columbiana County Association) will host an open house at 1 p.m. Sunday in its new 145 S. Vine St. location.

According to Barbara Ferrand, one of the founders, the group has been in the works for a while but started to become official after meeting for Valentine’s Day at Columbiana Public Library.

A core group has grown to around 20 members, with monthly meetings at the library and periodic field trips to places like Beaver Creek State Park and Shaker Woods when not opting to gather to play games like Bingo, Bunco or Yahtzee.

However, meeting in a publicly shared place meant not only limitations on when they could gather but storage capabilities, so finding a more permanent home was always at the back of Ferrand’s mind.

This fall, the group received its non-profit credentials, resulting in the donation of the residential property that it will ultimately occupy for its clubhouse.

Ferrand explained Sunday that the group will occupy around 800 square feet of the structure’s first floor, which includes a kitchen, bathroom, conference room, game room and a low sensory library space.

Electronic devices are not permissible to be on in the low sensory library space, which was freshly painted a tranquil new color before being lined with bookcases.

The room has no television or music. Cell phones are not prohibited in the library, but must be muted before entry.

This particular room is meant to be an inclusive haven for neurodivergent individuals and those suffering the effects of strokes.

Volunteer Bridget Spata works on some painting in the Columbiana County Seniors’ new low sensory library space within its new clubhouse at 145 S. Vine St. in Columbiana. Spata is a member of the fledgling senior citizens’ social group, which is hosting an open house at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at the location. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

She predicted that the clubhouse should easily be able to accompany 20 people, which is the maximum attendance for library game nights.

She said she hopes that eventually the upstairs, which has its own bathroom, can be occupied by a tenant needing office space for a nominal fee, helping to offset some of the club’s expenses for the space.

Ferrand said that the social organization remains steadfast in “promoting emotional mental health through social interaction and activities.”

She said she hopes that through this fellowship, members won’t feel as isolated as they often do in one’s later years.

One of the more unique aspects of this group, Ferrand explained, is that Columbiana County Seniors’ members are directly involved in its activity planning. For example, if someone is interested in hosting in their hometown of East Liverpool, they can propose that. If approved, that person can then organize and head up that activity.

The one mainstay of this group has been its game days, which in the past have fallen on the third Wednesday afternoon of the month.

Now with dedicated digs for the group, Ferrand said she hopes that this will mean more opportunities to meet. She hopes to move up game days to the second Wednesday of the month, which would be Nov. 12 in November.

Game days usually run from 1 to 3 p.m.

To learn more about the Columbiana County Seniors’ group, reach out to Ferrand through the group’s Facebook page, email columbianacountyseniors@gmail.com or call 330-692-3403.

Member of the Columbiana County Seniors’ group visited the wildlife education center of Beaver Creek State Park during a monthly excursion this summer. The group now has a permanent home, unveiling their club house in the 100 block of South Vine Street in Columbiana on Saturday, Oct. 25. (Submitted photo)