Gail Kahler bids farewell
BY GINNY RAUE
WEST MILFORD — Twenty-five years can go by pretty quickly and on Dec. 29, when Gail Kahler walks out the door of the Hillcrest Community Center in West Milford on her last day as supervisor of Senior Citizen Activities, she’ll have countless memories to look back on. She’ll also have the respect and admiration of many residents of the town.
Kahler, 63, began her career in the township as a part-time clerk/typist in the Office of Older Adult Services, a department of Community Services and Recreation. She learned the ropes and in 2000 she was promoted to supervisor.
She has been responsible for the implementation of programs and activities for seniors as well as serving as a State Health Insurance Program counselor. The department offers guidance with Medicare issues and, working in conjunction with A.A.R.P, they also offer free income tax preparation assistance and a driver safety course.
Senior programs are available to township residents age 50 and up and run the gamut from aerobics, mahjong, bowling, line dancing, Tai Chi and Zumba Gold to a crochet and bridge club, as well as many other programs.
Special events fill up the calendar and Kahler has kept it fresh and interesting by adding new programs and events each year. Holiday luncheons, dance socials and live entertainment keep the seniors happy and exercise classes and preparing for the Senior Olympics keeps them in shape. The department operates by working within a budget from the township and fees generated by the various programs.
Judging by the positive feedback she receives and the appreciation demonstrated by the seniors, she feels her department has been on the right track.
Outgoing and incoming
As word got around of Kahler’s upcoming retirement, the seniors rallied around, hosting parties and lunches for her. At a recent retirement party, active senior couple John and Cecile Picioccio praised Kahler and her dedication to the seniors of West Milford.
“She’s terrific. Any problems or questions, just call her and she’s always willing to help out in any situation. She goes out of her way to help,” John Picioccio said.
Kahler knows that not having constant contact with the many seniors she’s come to know and care about over the years will be the most difficult part of her retirement.
“That’s going to be the hardest, not having the interaction with them,” she said.
While leaving a job after many years can be life-altering, Kahler feels comfortable with her decision and secure in the knowledge that her replacement, Marlene Terhune, will do just fine at the helm. The senior programs are slated to remain intact.
Terhune, the recreation program specialist for Community Services and Recreation, has 17 years on the job and has been responsible for, among other events, township holiday festivities, concerts and beach parties. She has been working alongside Kahler for the last few months, preparing for the transition.
Saying goodbye but see you soon
Kahler said her retirement won’t seem real until that first morning when she doesn’t have to get up and hustle off to work. She plans on enjoying that luxury for a while, at least throughout the winter months.
She wishes all of her co-workers at Community Services and Recreation the best and wants the seniors to know she will miss them. But wait, as a senior herself, she’s now crossing over and signing up.
“I’ve already joined the Zumba class.”