Cool Spots for Seniors to Beat the Heat in Port

Port's seniors have their share of cool spots in town to beat the heat this summer. These locations allow seniors to stay comfortable and mingle with friends. One center even offers free transportation.  

Seniors can visit the Port Washington Senior Community Center at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. "We don't have air-conditioning in our main room," said Joan O'Hare, the Community Center's program assistant. "We do, however, have air conditioning in the church's basement. I wouldn't recommend our facility as a cooling center but as a cooler place where seniors can socialize together."

For books, lectures, concerts and more, seniors like to frequent Port Washington Public Library. As one resident, Jaquelyn Hobbs, put it, "I love going to the library. It's free, there's always a good book to read or free program to attend, and the view of Main Street or perhaps even the city skyline if you're lucky that day, is fabulous. Their air-conditioning also doesn't hurt."

Other Port seniors echo their love of air-conditioning, including Mel Chapow, who attends Port Washington Senior Citizens Center regularly. "The center here is very cool and comfortable," Chapow said. "And my favorite part about the center is how I can be social while staying cool."

Dorothy Quinn, the center's program coordinator, was quick to point out the social aspect as well. "Seniors love coming here," Quinn said. "We haven't seen a rise in the number of seniors who are coming here with the heat wave, just our regulars who come to play bingo, eat lunch, and play cards. They often leave after lunch, except for our big card players, who stay longer."

Quinn continued, "I don't know why more seniors aren't coming here to escape the heat. Maybe they don't know how the bus can pick them up for free, or maybe they just want to stay home, comfortable and cool with their own air-conditioning." 

To learn more about free bus transportation to the center, call (516) 883-6656.

Location and hours:

Port Washington Senior Community Center at St. Stephens Episcopal Church - 9 Carlton Ave. 

Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone (516) 767-0363

Port Washington Public Library - One Library Dr. (516) 883-4400.

Summer Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Port Washington Senior Citizens Center - 80 Manorhaven Blvd.  (516) 883-6656.

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.