CHESAPEAKE — Seniors of the Chesapeake Senior Center gathered this past Friday to share stories, answer questions for prizes and play games at the center’s Valentine’s Day celebration.

“It is Valentine’s Day, which is for sweethearts,” Darlene Green, director of the center, said. “But here it’s heart to heart, because a lot of the sweethearts are gone.”

It was the first Valentine’s party in the new building next to the Chesapeake Community Center, as all of the tables were decorated with red table cloths.

“A lot of times, the seniors want to get out and do things, but they don’t have things to do or look forward to,” Green said. “When it’s a group thing, it’s easier to be a part of. We want to have fun and have the fellowship with each other.”

The fellowship among the seniors at the senior center is very strong, as the majority of them are from the now closed Sybene Senior Center.

“It’s good to be here with people because I usually spend Valentine’s Day by myself,” Donna McClure, senior center member, said. “I’m glad that this senior center is here, because we have a lot to look forward to.”

Bernard Scarberry agrees.

“From the other place we were at before (Sybene), this place feels like we got the family back together,” he said. “With this place, it’s enjoyable and there’s something to look forward to each month.”

Being together with others made Valentine’s Day more enjoyable, the senior said.

“I think it’s wonderful that they can come here because if they don’t come here, there’s nowhere else they can go and they stay home,” Linda Chapman, senior center member, said. “That can shorten their lives. This is great that they can come here and be with their friends and make friends.”

The seniors enjoyed a buffet style lunch of pulled pork sliders, potato salad, macaroni salad, veggies and desserts.

A homemade throw blanket that was made at the senior center and signed by everybody was on display, as it is going to a member that is getting ready to go through treatment, Green said.

Any seniors wishing to become a member at the senior can call the center at 740-302-2915.