Center motor coach express has seniors ‘On the Move’

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The Johnston Senior Center’s (JSC) 49-passenger motor coach is no longer nameless.

After a town-wide contest, which was well received and featured countless suggestions to name the JSC’s newest mode of transportation, its official and the unique vehicle now features a banner that reads: “JSC New Wave Express … On the Move.”

“Everyone is excited about the bus and name,” Anthony Zompa, the JSC’s executive director, said Tuesday morning. “But the most important thing to come out of all this is that we do not have to deny any of our senior citizens access to trips.”

In past years, some of the JSC’s trips had limited bus seating only because the vans could only hold from 14 to 24 people.

“But now we’re ready to roll,” Zompa said. “Everyone is excited.”

Perhaps one reason, in particular, is that the JSC is believed to be the only senior center in Rhode Island with its own motor coach.

The motor coach, which was purchased from the former Conway Bus Lines, which has since been sold to national carrier Academy Bus Company, will be driven by Edward Joseph, a Johnston resident who has the necessary Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Joseph is no stranger to over-the-road driving, as he had a long career as a tractor-trailer driver.

Zompa also announced Tuesday that the JSC New Wave Express … On the Move will make its first appearance with the new logo on Sunday when it carries a host of seniors to Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. A similar trip to Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Conn. is scheduled for Oct. 29. Anyone who’d like to make the trip should call Marie Venditti, the JSC’s events and trips coordinator, at 944-3343.

It was Venditti, and as Zompa said Tuesday, “a lot of our members” who actually came up with the part of the new slogan that reads, “On the Move.”

“That simply means quite a few people are on the move,” Zompa said. “It signifies seniors are always moving … always going somewhere or someplace; they’re not just sitting in a rocking chair. Our people are always active.”

As for the “New Wave” part of the slogan, Zompa said that comes from Rhode Island license plates that feature a wave.

“The fact that we are the Ocean State comes out,” Zompa said. “A lot of people thought it was an interesting idea that was again suggested by one of our members.”

Zompa continued, “The word ‘Express’ is obviously for the bus, the motor coach that will make non-stop trips to our various destinations. There again, a lot of people thought that was a good idea, too.”

Zompa said, “We had lots and lots of entries to name the bus. That’s also an example of just how many people care about our senior citizens and the center. We were very, very pleased with all the results.”

Once a special committee met to finalize the official name and slogan, JSC Coordinator Denise Bell designed the long banner that stretches the entire length of the motor coach.

“We want it to be bright and vibrant,” Zompa said. “Denise did a great job; she found and designed it with a company she found on the Internet. It features our colors, maroon and white.”

Zompa paused before saying, “This is not just a stick-on emblem. And please give credit to John Eramian; once we received the sign, he put it on both sides of the bus and that wasn’t an easy job. He had to cut it … it took some doing and we can’t thank John enough; he’s always there for us and the people of Johnston.”

Eramian owns and operates Eramaian Signs, a Johnston company that is known statewide for its many creative works of art and signs.

SPECIAL NOTICES

While there’s quite the buzz about the motor coach and its new sign, there are a host of important dates of coming events at the senior center. Beginning tomorrow and continuing through Dec. 7, Medicare Open Enrollment will begin for senior citizens. Zompa said, “There’s a six-week window that people have to re-evaluate their medicare plan. The JSC will have additional counselors on duty to assist people with the programs. Seniors should make an appointment as soon as possible.”

Also, tickets are now on sale for the JSC’s Meat Raffle that’s scheduled for Nov. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. One $20 raffle ticket entitles the holder to 40 raffle drawings and winners are automatically placed back into the drawing once a ticket has been drawn.

People who attend the Meat Raffle can win turkeys and special meal packages, as well as gift cards. People who purchase advance tickets do not have to be present to win. For more details, call the JSC at 944-3343.

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