Senior center director leaves for new opportunities

When La Conner High School alum Margaret Hillard earned her college degree in human services, little did she know how apropos that major would prove.

What she couldn't have predicted then was landing a position in her hometown that was both service-oriented and involved tapping the human aspect of community development.

Hillard has been the guiding force at the La Conner Senior Center for the past seven years, a tenure that justified her decision to go back to school in middle age.

"I interviewed with a variety of organizations," Hillard recalled of those days after receiving her diploma, "but nothing seemed quite right."

Until, that is, she saw an ad in the Weekly News seeking a director for the Town's expanding senior center at Maple Hall.

"Honestly," she said last week, "I was starting to question my mid-life career change. But when I saw the ad in the paper for the opportunity to work for my hometown, I immediately knew 'that's my job.'"

Now Hillard has reached another crossroads. She stepped down at the end of September, handing the reins to Brittany Johnson, whom Hillard predicts will be "an excellent leader" given her creative bent and inherent people skills.

What's next for Hillard?

"I'm definitely staying in the La Conner area and am looking at a variety of opportunities," she told the Weekly News, "but there's nothing certain as yet."

Hillard, though, is certain of one thing. Her time directing the senior center has been one of countless intrinsic rewards.

"After seven years," Hillard explained, "I reflect on all the people who have come through the doors of Maple Hall – each bringing their own personality, their own humor and their own spirit. And they share freely all of it.

"It's been my honor," she stressed, "to unlock those doors."

Hillard notes that the senior center fits nicely into the social and cultural fabric of La Conner and the surrounding area.

"Community requires connection," she said. "The senior center allows connections to happen – not just once or twice but every week, year after year.

"People exchange information," added Hillard. "They discuss what's happening in town and around the world. They celebrate milestones and they provide support for one another. It may seem like just playing games or doing some exercises or any other activity, but it is so much more. It's building and strengthening the connections that create community."

Hillard said local groups and their instructors have helped the senior center morph into a hub for an array of interests, among them woodcarving, knitting, painting and sketching as well as popular games such as canasta and mahjongg.

"La Conner is very fortunate," Hillard said, "to have excellent instructors willing to share their areas of expertise for classes including creative writing, ballroom dancing, fitness and art."

Hillard said La Conner's seniors appreciate the programs.

"It's a happy bunch," she said. "The only real complaint is that the center is only open one day a week – on Tuesdays."

The momentum Hillard helped generate stalled somewhat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The center – in a physical sense – was closed for over a year.

But Hillard employed technology to allow the center to remain a focal point in these seniors' lives.

"I was so impressed," she said, "by the many participants who were willing to learn the then-new Zoom platform to continue with a wide variety of activities – from three different fitness classes to creative writing to 'virtual' lunch hours.

"Some of us," she continued, "even linked up with a Zumba instructor from Australia!'"

Hillard also regularly met with them outdoors, leading in walking laps at the Whittaker Field track. She also organized drive-by birthday parties.

"About 25 people," Hillard remembered, "even celebrated 'New Year's at Noon' to ring in 2021 with sparkling cider in the rain outside Maple Hall."

Hillard was pleased to pass the baton to Johnson, who arrived at the center a couple months ago.

"One Tuesday in late August she came to Maple Hall wanting to try canasta," Hillard said of Johnson. "She didn't know anything about the job opportunity but after a morning playing cards with the ladies – and getting a healthy dose of their infectious laughter – she emailed me asking more information on how to apply."

Hillard predicts good things ahead for the center, which she said will always remain near and dear to her heart.

"Brittany," said Hillard, "is exceptionally personable, a quick learner and has good creativity which I'm sure will translate to programming for the center."

Hillard demonstrated those very attributes herself.