"I just love the job and the people," Marilyn told Voices. "I'm paid for 18 hours and then I volunteer the remaining time."

Bridgewater's Senior Center is located at 132 Hut Hill Road.

"We are a maturing population that needs to look out for each other," Marilyn said. "Our center came at the right time. Our seniors today are a young senior population wanting to socialize, stay active, healthy and learn new things.

"Our mission is to identify the total needs of our senior population, promote and encourage new and existing activities, provide services and education to enhance the quality of life for all of our seniors to enable them to age with dignity and independence," Marilyn said.

Under Marilyn's leadership, and with the help of the Senior Center Advisory Board and Friends of the Senior Center, the senior center's activities calendar is full of daily opportunities.

Senior Center Advisory Board members are Ann Tymon, Julie Stuart, John Barlow, Eric Benson and Jim Evans.

The Friends of the Senior Center Committee includes Jane Bernstein, Debi Kuchinski, Dawn McNutt, Sally Shail, Nancy Kracen, Marian Spodnick and Helen Worden.

"Everyone helps. I'm so grateful to work with such dedicated people. I also can't thank Deb Kuchinski, Bridgewater's Municipal Agent enough," Marilyn said.

The center was able to host its first Father's Day luncheon, thanks to a recent donation received to purchase a grill for the center.

Last week, the group traveled to Maywood. Resident Peter May owns the beautiful gardens. Greg Bollard gave the tour for the Bridgewater seniors.

As the center has grown each month, Marilyn has met with other area senior center directors and staff to network ideas on creating strong programs from the start and keeping the center flourishing.

"Between the networking of great ideas and classes available to those of us working in this field, it has created a learning environment full of options," she explained.

"One of my goals is to have our programs self-supporting. I realize that money is very tight. We are planning many fund-raising opportunities and researching grant opportunities for a town of our size," Marilyn said.

The Senior Center Computer Club is thriving. The center was able to purchase three brand new computers and holds weekly classes.

After learning that 50 percent of the seniors taking the computer class had no computer at home, Computer Club members Jerry Ronan, Jim Evans and Art Azevedo, sent a letter out asking residents to consider donating unused computers.

The response was overwhelming. The computer squad picked up several computers and laptops that have already been refitted and added to the computer room.

Club members created the Computer Loaner Program for seniors who need a home computer.

The Computer Club will go to homes and set up some of the technology that can be overwhelming on new televisions, DVD players, voice mails and more.

"To see one of our seniors in our computer class send their first-ever e-mail to their grandchild, just brought tears to all of us," Marilyn said.

The center is enjoying a new flex exercise class by instructor Kathy Conant. Ms. Conant has taught at the New Milford Senior Center.

This class teaches how to exercise safely, improve flexibility, balance, strength and joint range of motion. The class, which can be done in a chair, uses exercise bands and benefits all ages and abilities.

The center has a walking club, quilting club, computer club, coffee hours, poker, canasta, mahjong, movie hours, ice cream socials, VNA blood pressure and screening, depression screening, AARP driving seminars, motivational seminars, plant your feet in the garden classes, live long and well programs, health fairs, trips, luncheons and more.

The center plans to add a bocce and horseshoes court for more outdoor living opportunities.

"We must embrace our maturing years and create a different perception of our advanced years," Marilyn explained.

Marilyn credits her enthusiasm for life to her 95 years-young mother, Audrey Armstrong.

Even though many miles separate them, Marilyn treasures her relationships with her mom, sister and brother.

The former Marilyn Armstrong was born in Adelaide, South Australia. From a young age, and always full of high energy, she dreamed of seeing the world and was encouraged to do so by her mom, even if it meant that they wouldn't see each other every day.

"My mom encouraged me to do whatever I wanted and to learn from every experience and this is a gift I carry with me everyday," Marilyn said.

She became a flight attendant for Quantas Airlines. A chance meeting in Hong Kong with a handsome U.S. Navy pilot named John Curtin proved that love at first sight is not just a movie theme.

John went on to be a pilot with Eastern Airlines and work with the FAA. Marilyn went to work at the United Nations.

The young couple married in 1968, moved to Long Island and started building their family. They made Bridgewater their home 33 years ago.

While raising their two boys Christopher and Owen, Marilyn volunteered, taught tennis lessons, worked for eight years in the Bridgewater first selectman's office, volunteered for the Make-a-Wish program, traveled back to Australia often and fostered the family love of traveling all over the world.

While most couples establish a weekly date night to a local restaurant, this couple, who have been married for 41 years, traveled together often to many destinations around the world and those required of John's job.

"That was a great time," Marilyn recalled.

Son Christopher is a Marine, stationed in Hawaii with his wife, Terese, and Marilyn's four extra-special granddaughters.

Son Owen has a love of flying like his dad and is a pilot.

"I look forward to my time here at the center," Marilyn said. "We will be adding new programs. Last month we sent out 400 newsletters.

"I want to make sure we are reaching out to every senior. There is always someone here to listen."

Bridgewater's senior center, located at 132 Hut Hill Road, may be reached at 860-355-3090.