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Lawrence County Senior
Citizens' Center |
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NEWS
November 2006 |
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220 Centennial Blvd., Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Telephone (931) 762-9259 Meal Site (931) 762-1578
E-Mail address: [email protected] Website: www.geocities.com/seniors38464
Corinne Perry, Director .
Greetings from the Director and Staff: |
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Our Chuck Wagon Cookout Social on October 5 at David Crockett State Park, was a huge success, with somewhere around 100 people in attendance to listen to some good music by our regular senior musicians and Ray Wix, eat a stew and chili lunch, and participate in some games. I have heard many compliments on this effort, and a special Thank You goes to Activities Coordinator Georgia Whitehead, Center employee Linda Purcell, Meal Site Manager Pat Benefield, and a number of volunteers who worked to make it all come together. Thanks also to Pattie Shedd and the Summit for providing part of the food and other supplies. What we�re hearing is that you want to do more of this type of thing, and there�s no reason we can�t. The key ingredient in the success of this event was the cooperation and help of volunteers who worked together in the planning, setting up, hosting, and cleaning up afterward. One or two staff members can work themselves to death to try to carry out this type of event, but with several people pitching in and doing part of the work, everyone can have a good time, including the staff. I encourage you to offer to help with the activities scheduled in the future. By being a participating member, instead of just a spectator, you will have a greater appreciation for the activities. |
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For this first monthly social event, the congregate meal at Center was not served, and those who normally eat lunch at the Center were encouraged to have lunch at the cookout. We don�t want to interfere every month with the Nutrition Program, so some months will not involve lunch. We�re thinking of having an extended event with lunch included twice a year, in the Fall and again in the Spring, and other months having an afternoon or evening event, or maybe a breakfast. We�ll be experimenting over the next few months to come up with some enjoyable programs. If you have ideas, please pass them on to us. |
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In keeping with our desire to do the things you want to do, we had a couple of small day trips in early October. On October 2, a group of 12 seniors went to the Frist Art Center in Nashville to see the Egypt Exhibit. We rented a van so we could all go in one vehicle, with Yours Truly serving as the chauffeur. Everyone enjoyed the exhibit of Egyptian antiquities and a display of fabulous jewelry, the lunch, and the camaraderie with friends. Seniors on this trip were: Jean Robertson, Christeen James, Nell Davis, Marie Gillespie, Scottie McMackin, Helen Malone, Sandra Durham, Ann Tidwell, Bonnie Andrews, Kathleen Beddingfield, and Carolyn Michael. |
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On October 3, a different group went on a day trip to tour the Saturn Plant at Spring Hill. This trip was planned to appeal to our senior men, and it was a great success. We used the same rented van, with Linda Purcell driving, and some rode in the Summit van with Summit employee Semika McElrath Several men from the Murray Retirees Association and their wives went on this
trip. After the tour, the group had lunch at Legends in Columbia. The Summit covered the cost of transportation for this trip. Participating in this trip were: Kenneth Purcell, John and Fran Rosson, William and Sandy Beck, Ethel Criss, Cromer Smotherman, John and Sue Gibbs, James and Shirley Jaco, Lamar and Grace Dryden, Dr. Phil Sumrall and wife Angela, Mark and Ann Davis, and Julie Flanagan. |
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For the second year, your Director is doing a mini-fundraiser for the Center by making several Friendship Fruitcakes for those who have ordered them. In fact, as I am writing this newsletter on Sunday afternoon, my sixth cake is in the oven. We prepared enough fruit for 21 cakes. The remaining 15 will be made over the next couple of weeks. I have donated part of the supplies, and the Center paid for some items. Last year, I figured the cost of the supplies for a cake was a little over $7.00. (I bake them at home, so no cost is included for electricity.) At $15.00 per cake, after deducting the cost of supplies paid by the Center, this will yield around $175 - $200 for the Center. I know that�s not a lot, but, what if every member did something to contribute this much during the course of a year? Let�s play a little �WHAT IF� game: |
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Based on the last census, there are probably well over 7,000 citizens of Lawrence County who are eligible to be members (age 55 and over or the spouse of someone age 55). WHAT IF half of that approximate number were dues-paying members of the Senior Center at $10 per year. Let�s see, 3,500 x $10 would be $35,000. WOW! |
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Now, WHAT IF half of that half (3,500 divided by 2 = 1,750), during the course of a year, contributed $100 (that�s $8.33 per month--about the cost of a meal in a family restaurant). Incidentally, one of our precious members who lives on very low income made a monthly donation for several months of $10 to be used for Bingo prizes and another $10 for the endowment fund. I actually tried to discourage her from doing this because I felt she could not afford it, but she insisted, saying she appreciated the Center and wanted to do it. Now, let�s do the math. This is pretty easy, just add 2 zeros to 1,750 and put in a comma -- $175,000!!! Just think what we could do with $210,000 for senior activities. We could have a full time Activities Coordinator, supplies, transportation�.a bus for activities� To put this into an understandable perspective, the money currently spent in providing senior activities (personnel, supplies, etc.) is less than $40,000. The bulk of expenses we pay relate to the contract transportation work we do which generates most of our income. |
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Could this be done? Yes. Will it be done? I don�t know. There has been some discussion of having a membership drive to increase the number of members. I will gladly be one member, and will gladly keep doing my part. The question is: how many others will see what we can do IF we have the necessary money and volunteers, and how many will be willing to do his/her part? |
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~ ~ ~ ~ |
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ATTENTION �TRAVELERS�:
Callaway Garden�s Fantasy in Lights and Lake Lanier�s Magical Nights of Lights tour, 12/4-6. $50 Deposit to sign up, balance due by 11/4/06
11/6-9 4-day tour to Branson Mo. Itineraries will be mailed to those making this tour.
11/13-15 Biltmore Candlelight Tour & Pigeon Forge Winterfest
11/16 Chaffin�s Barn Theater - Glad Tidings #3. Leave Center at 9:30 a.m. |
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~ ~ ~ ~ |
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INFORMATION AVAILABLE REGARDING PENDING LAWSUIT
Some of you know that the Senior Center had to file a lawsuit against South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD) to settle the contract dispute concerning their termination of the Public Transportation Contract with the Senior Center in Dec. 2002, and their subsequent refusal to honor the financial terms of the contract and the vehicle lease agreements. Newer members may not be aware of this. Prior to the termination action, SCTDD leveled accusations of �conflict of interest� and misuse of Transportation Program funds against the Center. Those accusations were false, and when all the facts are obtained and brought into the light of day, it will be clear who did wrong and who did right. A six-page summary of the background of these issues was provided to Board Members at a Special Called Board meeting held on 10/11/06 at the request of the Lawrence County Executive. This summary and the Complaint and other documents filed in court are available for review by anyone who is interested in learning more about this issue. |
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