Women of Note

A Dynamic Duet make their mark on the Stockbridge Area Senior Center

by Mary Jo David

“Holy Hangout, Batman!” When it comes to ensuring that seniors have the opportunity to age gracefully in our area, the community can thank the Dynamic Duet. Heather Armstrong and Dana Blaszkowski are quick to credit everyone else, but there’s no doubt these two powerhouses have had a major hand in the explosive growth at the Stockbridge Area Senior Center.

In three years’ time, SASC membership enrollment has jumped from fewer than 50 members to more than 160—and that number increases monthly. Programs and activities have also increased exponentially to include more meals, exercise classes, wellness checks, collaboration with other organizations and people of all ages in the community, and even a mobile Social Security office.

One major common denominator in all this is the hiring of Blaszkowski as the Center’s director in May 2021 and the appointment of Armstrong to SASC board president in October 2022.

As director, Dana Blaszkowski has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the SASC, along with programming and event planning, relationship building, outreach, and volunteer recruitment and recognition.

“As a mom of four, I’m used to being flexible, so one minute you’ll see me leading members in the chicken dance and the next minute I’m heading off to a meeting to help secure funding for the Center,” Blaszkowski said with a smile.

Armstrong credits Blaszkowski’s personality and magnetism for the director’s success at winning over the trust and dedication of the SASC membership.

“Dana is that ray of sunshine that stands out when you walk into a room,” Armstrong said. “She’s so charismatic, and she makes people want to join in. SASC would never have grown as fast and as big as it is if it hadn’t been for Dana’s hard work and amazing spirit.”

As board president, Heather Armstrong is a volunteer responsible for overseeing the Center as a whole and supporting the Center’s director in all of her previously listed responsibilities. A big part of Armstrong’s role involves attending meetings and participating in what she likes to call “The Senior Center World Tour,” which involves visiting other township board meetings and community groups like the Lions, Masons, and more, “to tell people who we are and what we are all about at the Stockbridge Area Senior Center.”

Although Armstrong and Blaszkowski were both involved in the recent achievement of gaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for the Center, Blaszkowski is quick to credit Armstrong for the lion’s share of this accomplishment. This achievement will be key to enabling the Center to secure funding that will enable them to remain viable, financially, in the future.

“Heather will give credit to the Board, and they did play a big part,” Blaszkowski explained. “But Heather was the one who understood the big picture and the legal assistance that would be needed to successfully achieve this all-important 501(c)(3) nonprofit status,” Blaszkowski explained.

She then paraphrased SASC Board member Mark Taylor about Heather’s value, “Mark says, ‘If you’re looking to un-noodle a whole bunch of spaghetti, then Heather’s your gal!’” Blaszkowski added, “And he’s absolutely right!”

Both members of this Dynamic Duet are married to their high school sweethearts.

Armstrong, who is originally from South Carolina, spent time in Michigan on and off and eventually moved to Saline and then Stockbridge where she lives with her husband Casey and their blended family of four children. She is currently employed as the Village of Stockbridge clerk. Her degree in recreational therapy and her experience working in that field at the Chelsea Retirement Center has been invaluable in her role at the Center. But that’s only part of it.

“Once I decided to join the SASC Board, I decided I needed to educate myself on the obligations of being a board member. I read books, listened to podcasts while cutting the lawn, and talked to people,” Armstrong said. “But being able to organize and delegate—that came from my job working at the University of Michigan for more than 20 years.”

Blaszkowski grew up in Westland and was known as a teacher’s pet. She went on to marry her husband, Karl, who had a history of being the class clown. Together they raised their children in Pinckney before moving to Stockbridge in 2020. Although she has held many part-time jobs, she credits her work as a program coordinator for Girls on the Run and her many volunteer roles while her children were growing up for providing her with the varied skills she puts to use daily at SASC. But it was her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels that proved to be life-turning for Blaszkowski.

“I drove my daughter and other young people to deliver meals to folks who were so grateful and so excited for our visits. It was very moving,” she recalled. Blaszkowski, whose parents died when she was very young, felt as though Meals on Wheels provided her with the grandparents and parents she never had. “I love, love, love spending time with older adults,” she exclaimed.

While they are timid to take any credit for it, the combined enthusiasm of Armstrong and Blaszkowski—the Dynamic Duet—has turned the SASC into a wonderful home away from home for area seniors, whether they’re trying to find ways to stay active or just looking for camaraderie.

“We see members caring for each other, checking on each other, celebrating each other. They’ve built a community within these walls that stretches far beyond these walls, into the community,” Blaszkowski said.

Armstrong adds, “Stop by and visit. You’ll see a community coming together and relationships forming. You’ll see laughter, joy, smiles, involvement—nothing but good things.”

As all senior citizens can attest, “Life goes on.” Dana Blaszkowski announced in mid-February that she accepted a position at the Tri-County Center for Aging, and thus, would be leaving her director position at the Stockbridge Area Senior Center. Her decision to leave does not diminish the huge impact her involvement has had at the SASC, and the Stockbridge Community News would like to wish her well in her new position.

Heather Armstrong (left) and Dana Blaszkowski (right) love sharing their passion for food and fun, which spills over into their involvement at the SASC. Photo provided by Heather Armstrong

Together, the Dynamic Duet of SASC Board President Heather Armstrong (left) and Director Dana Blaszkowski (right) have enjoyed working together to expand the reach of the Stockbridge Area Senior Center. Photo provided by Dana Blaszkowski

Dana Blaszkowski enjoys some quality time with her husband Karl on a recent vacation together. Photo provided by Dana Blaszkowski

SASC Board President Heather Armstrong enjoying time together at home with her husband Casey. Photo provided by Heather Armstrong

Betti Wetherell, SASC Dining Site Coordinator, and Kathleen Mullins, SASC Activities Coordinator, join Director Dana Blaszkowski at an event at the Stockbridge Area Senior Center. Photo provided by Dana Blaszkowski

SASC Board President Heather Armstrong volunteers with other SASC members at a Center fundraiser held at Culver’s in Jackson. Photo provided by Heather Armstrong