Citizens' Center
December 2005
E-Mail address: [email protected] Website: www.geocities.com/seniors38464
Corinne Perry, Director James Smith, Chairman
Greetings from the Director and Staff:
The activities around the Center keep growing and improving. Georgia has taken on additional duties involving the programs and activities and is doing a great job. She has offered some fresh ideas for activities and is taking a hands-on approach that I think will be beneficial. Linda Purcell, part-time driver/office help, is also contributing to these new activities. The gourd art projects (turkeys and Santa figures) her class is making are as cute as a bug�s ear. I really appreciate what both of these ladies are doing for the Center.
Another year is quickly coming to an close. By the time you read this, the Thanksgiving- Christmas season will be underway. It�s a busy time for most people, planning and preparing for family get-togethers, holiday parties, shopping for gifts, etc. As we go about all these activities, let�s not forget those around us who need our attention -- the sick, the lonely, those who have lost loved ones, and those who may need help with their necessary expenses. This Winter will be a time of struggle for some to pay their bills. In the spirit of the season, let�s all do what we can to make this a happy season for everyone.
A group of �Travelers� enjoyed a trip to Huntsville, AL., where we visited �Burritt on the Mountain.� We toured the Burritt Mansion, a unique home built by a doctor in the shape of an X to take advantage of the beautiful views surrounding the house. The thick walls are insulated with straw. The doctor had no children, and he left the property to the City of Huntsville to be preserved as a museum. We toured the other historic buildings and farm settings and learned more about these from tour guides. Most of us on the tour recalled similar things from our younger days. After the tour, we had a delicious barbeque supper and listened to some �old time� music, which I especially enjoyed. The band of three - two men and one lady - played music on the guitar, violin, banjo and a couple of other instruments and sang a few songs as well. There was no sound system, no amplifiers, no other modern contraptions - just simple music that you might associate with early American history when communities would gather for a �corn-shucking� or other social event. It was a very enjoyable trip.
On October 31, we tried a hot-dog and chili lunch fundraiser. Although it was not in the newsletter, we advertised it on the radio and local newspapers and were hopeful of a good turn-out. The hot-dogs, buns, and the meat for the chili were all donated, so all we had to buy was the tomatoes, beans and seasoning for the chili and some onions and cheese. Georgia�s daughter and son-in-law volunteered to help with the event, along with the Center staff and Sandi Beck. Unfortunately, not many people showed up, so we ended up putting a lot of chili in the freezer, so it would not go to waste. We only took in around $50, and part of that was donations made by a couple of people over the cost of their meal. Needless-to-say, the Center wasn�t much better off for the effort and expense put forth.
We took orders for 20 �Friendship Cakes� that I decided to make as a gift to the Senior Center. I purchased some of the supplies and donated my time to bake them. After deducting the cost of supplies paid with Center funds, the Center will receive around $250 for the cakes (I have to buy some more pecans for cakes that some wanted around Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I don�t know the final amount the Center will pay.).
As we continue working toward a greater level of self-support, I would like to encourage members to think of innovative ways to help the Center. I know that many of you have talents in different things - sewing, needlework, arts/crafts, cooking, etc, etc. What can you do that would bring in $100 - $200 to help support the activities of the Center? We are going to be doing more in the way of fund-raising efforts in 2006, so there will be opportunities for members to do their part.
