Senior citizens celebrated good life and good health Thursday during the Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Southeast Missouri Nutrition Project held at the Show Me Center.

"Most people get the impression when you get to a certain age you're supposed to sit down and die," said Bob Casteel of Jackson. "That's not happening."

Casteel was among 2,000 people who attended the 25th anniversary of the Chaffee Nutrition Center, which was the first of 13 federally funded nutrition programs to open in the region in 1973.

Celebrants enjoyed box lunches, carnival games, door prizes and big-band music during the anniversary event. Photos, cookbooks and other articles were on display at nutrition center booths, and various health and service providers also distributed information.

"I wasn't really in favor of this when we first decided to do it," said Gene Bilbrey, a board member with the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging. "Since I've seen the faces here and the turnout, I'm glad we did this."

The nutrition program was started to improve the health of under-nourished older Americans by providing one hot meal each day. The nutrition program is one of many services offered to senior citizens under the administration of the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

What began in 1973 as an effort by 13 centers to serve several hundred meals each day has grown to 38 regional centers that average more than 5,000 meals daily.

"This is a heavily used program in our region," said Lana Johnson, nutrition program director. "We're the largest of 10 nutrition programs in Missouri and are serving more than Kansas City and St. Louis put together."

Participants said they have seen many changes in services over the years. Nutrition programs, in-home services and activities sponsored by senior centers keep senior citizens healthy and interested in their communities, they said. Transportation is still an important need, but agencies are doing a better job of helping older residents get to stores, doctors' offices and anywhere else they need to go.

Senior citizens "just need to come out and get involved," said Billy Booth, chairman of the Area Agency on Aging board of directors. "These programs just fill a void for us."

Johnson, who was the first administrator of the Chaffee Nutrition Center, said the biggest change she has seen over the years is the level of activity senior citizens enjoy. She attributes the change to better access to programming that targets their needs.

"Aging seems to be a happier state now," she said. "I think the fact seniors no longer see themselves retiring and staying home is a part of it. The 1998 senior citizen has someplace they can go and more things to do."