Our Mission
To enable older adults to be active, connected, and independent members of the community.
Our Mission
To enable older adults to be active, connected, and independent members of the community.
What we do
Bugbee is a nonprofit senior community center offering lunches, Meals on Wheels, activities, classes, social events, wellness services, social services, and more, all geared towards the needs of adults age 60 and over. We primarily serve the communities of Hartford, Norwich, and Thetford, Vermont, but all seniors are welcome. We’re always looking to identify areas of need for older adults, and endeavor to meet those needs.
Our services are geared towards adults age 60 and over, but we rely on support from people of all ages throughout the community: as volunteers, activity instructors, staff, donors, board members, friendly faces, and advocates for the elderly. Contact us today if you’d like to get involved!
About the Center
Bugbee Senior Center is located in historic White River Junction, Vermont. The single story building, owned by the Town of Hartford, opened in 1980 and was purpose built to house the senior center.
The Center offers an airy, open setting. The large dining area offers ample space for meals, meetings, and functions. Whether attending a presentation by a speaker or an art class, the light and pleasant setting is comfortable and casual for large or small groups.
The building also contains meeting rooms and a library, which includes a selection maintained by Quechee Library.
We are a short walk from downtown WRJ, offer free parking on site, and are located on Advance Transit’s Orange and Yellow routes.
MEET OUR TEAM!
Mark Bradley
Executive Director
As a kid, Mark wanted to be a senior center director when he grew up, although at the time he was not aware of this. He spent much of his younger life in Chazy, New York. After high school he moved to Montreal to study music at McGill (il était vraiment bien là-bas), followed by a master’s in business administration from York University in Toronto specializing in nonprofits. He worked as a clarinetist and performing arts administrator for years, and joined the Bugbee team in 2020. Mark has lived in New England since 2016.
Susan Manley
Program Coordinator
Susan has had a few different jobs including working at a chicken factory in Arkansas; operating a deli in Burlington; and practicing law in Woodstock. She has finally found her calling scheduling foot care clinics, navigating seat assignments, and setting up bingo. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her partner and their two unbehaved dogs, golfing, hiking, and skiing.
Alec Struver
Administrator
Alec was born and raised in Westchester, New York where he received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Pace University. In his free time, he loves hiking, snowboarding, and rooting for the Yankees. Those activities brought him to the Upper Valley, and the seniors here at Bugbee are what made him stay.
Eleanor Zue
Social Worker
Eleanor is an experienced social worker and senior advocate. She has been here at Bugbee since 1983, so is an old hand. She likes helping people get help through various programs, and to work out problems. You might also find her enjoying lunch in the dining room with our seniors.
Mona Elliott
Social Service Coordinator
Mona joined Bugbee to administer the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, geared to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce for low-income seniors. She has had a long career of service coordinating and used to be a musician!
Christy Hazen
Head Cook
John Hathorn
Assistant Cook
Dottie White
Assistant Cook
Betty Day
Kitchen Custodian
Board of Directors
Emily Santaw, Chair
Wilder
Gaal Shepherd Crowl, Vice Chair
White River Junction
Jennifer Fontaine, Treasurer
Haverhill
Ann Greenwald, Secretary
Lebanon
Sheila Bean
White River Junction
Donald Blake
Thetford Center
Patti Crimmin-Greenan
White River Junction
Barbara Duclos
White River Junction
Colleen O’Brien
West Lebanon
Steven Tofel
Thetford Center
Ryann Miguel
Dartmouth Tuck Fellow
White River Council on Aging (dba Bugbee Senior Center) is registered as a nonprofit organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 03-0261891.
CONTACT US TODAY!
Have any questions, or just want to say hi? Let us know! We’re always happy to hear from you.