Little Elm Journal > News
New center honors seniors, late councilmember
Kelsey Kruzich/Staff photo - Dickie Mills, husband of the late Brenda Button Mills, unveils a plaque with his wife's photo on it. Three plaques will go up on the new Brenda Button Mills Senior Center honoring those who worked to create the new center.
By Emily Hill, ehill@starlocalnews.com
Last Saturday, the community of Little Elm gathered to witness the grand opening of the long-awaited Brenda Button Mills Senior Center.
Packed wall-to-wall with attendees, the grand opening ceremony honored the community's senior adults who get to enjoy the new facility and the ones who made it happen, especially the late former Little Elm Town Councilmember Brenda Mills.
Councilmember Richard Stevens gave the opening prayer at the event, followed by Parks and Recreation Director Tony Chrisman welcoming the community to the facility that was eight years in the making.
"We are here. This happened," Chrisman said. "It has taken a lot of hours and a lot of effort from the community."
The spacious facility boasts a kitchen, a library with a fireplace, a small game room, a large multi-use area and a craft room/classroom. In the past, the Senior Adults Group had to meet at the Little Elm Community Center, which was only opened during activity hours.
Little Elm Mayor David Hillock spoke at the ceremony about Brenda Mills, for whom the new center is named. He remembers his first meeting and talking with Mills about the senior community in Little Elm. Mills was a major proponent in supporting the senior adults. Sadly, Mills passed away in 2010.
"It's heartbreaking, but it's nice we have this building today," Hillock said of her dedication.
Interim Town Manager Doug Peach, who was the son-in-law of Mills for a time, shared his memories and thoughts on Mills.
"Brenda's one of the greatest people in my life. She was a huge asset to the community," Peach said.
Mills' husband, Dickie Mills, and daughter, Sabrina Spence, also spoke to the ceremony attendees.
"I want to make sure y'all realize how important this is to us," Spence said. "She talked about it forever. As family and all her friends, we do appreciate [this]."
Former and current council members, former mayors Doug Cravey, Frank Kastner and Charles Platt and current mayor Hillock, and the Little Elm Senior Adults Group Board members were thanked for their efforts. The ceremony also recognized the Parks and Recreation Department, the Community Development Corporation, Peach, Town Engineer Jason Laumer and others involved.
Three plaques were unveiled at the ceremony, commemorating Mills and town officials, boards and councils involved in the facility's creations. Live music was played at the end of the ceremony.
The senior center is located at 301 Main Street and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit www.littleelm.org/seniors to learn more about activities hosted by the Group.
Packed wall-to-wall with attendees, the grand opening ceremony honored the community's senior adults who get to enjoy the new facility and the ones who made it happen, especially the late former Little Elm Town Councilmember Brenda Mills.
Councilmember Richard Stevens gave the opening prayer at the event, followed by Parks and Recreation Director Tony Chrisman welcoming the community to the facility that was eight years in the making.
"We are here. This happened," Chrisman said. "It has taken a lot of hours and a lot of effort from the community."
The spacious facility boasts a kitchen, a library with a fireplace, a small game room, a large multi-use area and a craft room/classroom. In the past, the Senior Adults Group had to meet at the Little Elm Community Center, which was only opened during activity hours.
Little Elm Mayor David Hillock spoke at the ceremony about Brenda Mills, for whom the new center is named. He remembers his first meeting and talking with Mills about the senior community in Little Elm. Mills was a major proponent in supporting the senior adults. Sadly, Mills passed away in 2010.
"It's heartbreaking, but it's nice we have this building today," Hillock said of her dedication.
Interim Town Manager Doug Peach, who was the son-in-law of Mills for a time, shared his memories and thoughts on Mills.
"Brenda's one of the greatest people in my life. She was a huge asset to the community," Peach said.
Mills' husband, Dickie Mills, and daughter, Sabrina Spence, also spoke to the ceremony attendees.
"I want to make sure y'all realize how important this is to us," Spence said. "She talked about it forever. As family and all her friends, we do appreciate [this]."
Former and current council members, former mayors Doug Cravey, Frank Kastner and Charles Platt and current mayor Hillock, and the Little Elm Senior Adults Group Board members were thanked for their efforts. The ceremony also recognized the Parks and Recreation Department, the Community Development Corporation, Peach, Town Engineer Jason Laumer and others involved.
Three plaques were unveiled at the ceremony, commemorating Mills and town officials, boards and councils involved in the facility's creations. Live music was played at the end of the ceremony.
The senior center is located at 301 Main Street and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit www.littleelm.org/seniors to learn more about activities hosted by the Group.
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