COA Director Debbie Thompson  (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

After her first week on the job as director of the Harvard Council on Aging, Debbie Thompson is still smiling. More than that, she said, she is excited to be in Harvard, has liked the people she's met, and is looking forward to working hard for the seniors.

Even before she was selected for the job, Thompson professed that she had fallen in love with the town. While it shares many characteristics with other towns she has worked in, Harvard has "its own uniqueness that I look forward to learning more about," Thompson said.

Thompson has worked in a senior center setting for more than 10 years, most recently as outreach and volunteer coordinator at the Groton Council on Aging.

Her work has given her tremendous admiration for seniors who, she says, need to be given the respect they so richly deserve.

In her work with seniors Thompson said that she is "always learning something new every day."

Hildreth House has worked its charms on Thompson, and she can see why seniors are so attached to it, she said. However, Thompson said, she isn't blind to the rust in the bathroom and the areas where the Hildreth House fails to be in code compliance. She's seen the water in the basement and the falling plaster in the attic. Already, Thompson said, she feels that the major drawback to the facility is the lack of a space for a large group gathering.

In talking about future upgrades and expansion, Thompson said that she hopes the house will "keep its historical value and its nooks and crannies while being brought up to code."

Plans are under way to paint one of the middle upstairs rooms and to make this Thompson's office. She'll be readily visible and able to welcome people coming to the second floor. Another advantage is that she'll be able to see people coming into the building.

Thompson lives in southern New Hampshire, an easy commute to Harvard, she said. She has two grown daughters, one of whom made her a grandmother seven months ago. Both young women take after their mother in doing work for others. One was in the Peace Corps; the other sang with Up with People and now works at the Lighthouse School in North Chelmsford

Thompson's usual count of one dog and one cat has been augmented by relatives' additions of a dog, two cats, and a turtle. The guests are leaving at the end of the summer, Thompson said, adding that she's going to miss them.

Thompson is a singer, performing gigs with a group called No Conflict. Thompson's favorite is music from the sixties, and she likens herself to a Joan Baez-style singer. She loves the challenge of learning new music for the group because it "keeps your mind young," she said.

COA Director Debbie Thompson, Barbara Henderson, and Warren Henderson at a COA luncheon Aug. 9. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)