Brocton Portland Seniors

Brocton Portland Seniors met Nov. 27 at the Brocton Legion with Tom DeJoe opening the meeting, with George Travis leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Bill Norris giving a prayer of thanks. New member Floyd Carpenter was introduced. Committee members Judy and George Travis, Beulah Williams and DeJoe set the tables with bell jar tealight centerpieces. A turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, squash, rolls and pumpkin pie meal was served by Henry Link, Carolyn Magnson and Barb Smith. The program by Stan Kawski and Link showed a video telling a child the meaning of Veterans Day, the flag and uniforms. In the video a nurse, Diane Carlson Evans, told about women going through what men did during the Vietnam/Korean War. An updated salute was shown by Link. The Boys All State program supported by the Legion for many years, has widespread benefits. The Legion is planning a big celebration for 90 years in July and September. Six veterans were honored and thanked by members. Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were given and approved. A thank you letter was read from the Tri Church for our donation. A donation to the Ahira Hall Memorial Library was passed unanimously. A holiday concert will take place at Tri Church Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. and a BCS concert Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Margaret Jagoda, Tour Guide, canceled the Dec. 11 casino bus trip and money will be refunded. Nomination and election of officers was held with results President, Rick Cranston; Vice President, Tom DeJoe; Secretary, Ruth Neal; Treasurer, Rita Stonefoot. It was suggested by Marie Emke to have an ugly Christmas sweater contest with prizes. This was approved by everyone for the December party. Lena and David Elliott were recognized on the occasion of their 23rd anniversary. November birthdays were celebrated by Mary Tripi (93!), Bob Jagoda, Mary Carey and Jane Penhollow. Door prizes were won by Tripi and Shirley Wolnik. There were five Raffle winners, with drawings for table decorations winners going to Carpenter, Julia Schrantz, Gil Seekings, Jane Perkins, Nancy Munson, Patty Ploetz, David VanRensselear and Jagoda.

At the next meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 18, the Christmas program will consist of guitarist Tom Gestwicki, installation of officers, and the ugly Christmas sweater contest. The committee is Dan and Robin Carr, Penhollow, Linda Riley and Wendy Black. For a ham dinner with the trimmings, reservations must be made by a call to Stonefoot at 792-4565, by Dec. 11, one week prior to Tuesday, Dec. 18. Members are to bring their own personal table service.

Collins 50 Plus Seniors

Activities for the week of Dec. 2 to 8

Monday, Dec. 3: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym.

Tuesday, Dec. 4: Active Senior Aerobics with Kim at 9 a.m., L.K. Painter Center gym. Small fee; “An All American Christmas” day trip to Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. The bus leaves the front parking lot of the L.K. Painter Community Center, 2355 Main St., Collins at 10 a.m. and returns by 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 5: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym; Quilting with Florence at 10:30 a.m., Collins Library Community Room; Games & Crafts with Pat at 1p.m., Painter Center Yellow Room; Senior Bowling at 1 p.m. at K&L Lanes in Gowanda, small fee; Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shop N Save in Gowanda.

Thursday, Dec. 6: Yoga with Donna at 11 a.m., Painter Center gym. Small fee.

Friday, Dec. 7: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym; Movie Day at 1 p.m., Collins Library. This month’s film is a comedy starring Chevy Chase and Beverly De Angelo. Popcorn will be served. Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Shop N Save in Gowanda.

Saturday, Dec. 8: Salvation Army from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shop N Save.

** It’s that time of year again ! Come out and join the Collins 50 Plus Seniors and Love INC as they collect donations for the Salvation Army at Shop N Save in Gowanda between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Call Love INC at 532-3541 to schedule a day and time. Please help us with this worthwhile cause.

Dunkirk Senior Center News

The Dunkirk Senior Center, located at 45 Cliffstar Court, will hold a Christmas sing-a-long on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. Peter Miller will lead us in song, accompanied by Lester Fuller on the piano. We will serve cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, tea or juice and will have Christmas door prizes. No fee is involved and no sign-up is necessary. Just come and join in the fun.

Tai Chi will be held the first two weeks in December, and then will resume in January.

The Dunkirk Senior Center will be closed for the holidays Dec. 24 and 25.

Special Big Bingo will be held Wednesday, Dec. 12. There will be a special $5 admission charge. Doors open at 3 p.m., and bingo will start at 3:30 p.m. Dinner will follow bingo. This is a holiday special to all Dunkirk Senior Citizen members!

Travel updates and new information for 2019

An Allegany Casino trip is booked for Tuesday, Jan. 8 for the member price of $26 per person. This includes $25 casino bonus and a $5 food voucher. Sign-up will begin Monday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m.

A shopping trip to Erie (with three stops) will take place Thursday, Jan. 24. The price per person is $25. Lunch will be at the Golden Corral. It includes all tips. Sign-up begins Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Monday, Feb. 18, Presidents Day, will be a Presque Isle Casino trip. The cost of $26 per person includes $25 casino bonus. There is no food allowance. Sign-up begins Monday, Jan. 7.

Monday, March 11 is a trip to del Lago. The member cost is $35 per person. This includes $25 slot play and free buffet. Sign-up begins Monday, Feb. 11.

Wednesday, April 17 will be the annual Easter shopping trip. Details will be announced in late December.

Tuesday, May 28 will be a Casino Dinner Show package at Allegany Casino, featuring a Beach Boys tribute. Details will be announced in late December.

Tuesday, Nov. 5, a Casino Dinner Show package featuring a Rat Pack tribute will be held at Allegany Casino. Details will be announced in late December.

The office, located at 45 Cliffstar Court, is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and Thursday all day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Collection for the 2019 membership dues has begun. The dues are $5 per year – no increase. The year runs Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019. You must have an active membership to participate in all programs beginning Jan. 1.

Newsletters are available at the Center. The phone number is 366-7530.

Grape Belt Senior News

Aerobics and Weights with Catherine on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. In the event that Catherine cancels aerobics and weights, she will post it on the Grape Belt Seniors Facebook page, on her own Facebook page, WDOE and Chautauqua Today. The Christmas/Holiday luncheon is Dec. 5 at the Kosciuszko Club, (doors will open at 11:30 a.m.). Reservations are closed.

Readers Theater members will be meeting at the Center on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

2019 dues are now being collected at the Center.

All trips, extended as well as day trips, are open to the public; members and non-members. Fliers for upcoming trips for 2019 are available at the Center.

Trips planned for 2018 All trips: First paid, first reserved.

Casino Trip – The Drifters White Christmas – Dec. 11 at Seneca Niagara. Bring photo ID! Be behind Big Lots at 9:45 a.m.

Trips planned for 2019 FIRST PAID – FIRST RESERVED!

May 13: DelLago Casino. Get $25 slot dollars and free lunch buffet. $32 per person. Pay by Feb. 10, 2019.

May 24: BPO “An American Salute.” Includes lunch at Pearl Street Grill. Sign up by Jan. 10. Pay by Feb. 10, 2019.

June 9: 1:45 p.m. Yankees and Cleveland Indians game. All you can eat buffet until 7th inning. Club seating!

This trip is full and finalized. You may sign up in case there are cancellations.

June 26: Customer Appreciation. Seneca Niagara. Pay $30. Get $30 in slots and free buffet.

July 26: Customer Appreciation. Seneca Niagara. Pay $30. Get $30 in slots and free buffet.

July: Wellsville Balloon Festival

August: Belhurst Castle in Geneva

October: Bradford dinner theater, “Witches Brew.” Zippo Museum.

Casino Trips:

Oct. 8: Carole King Tribute Nov. 5: Rat Pack Tribute

Dec. 10: The Lettermen

Extended trips for 2019:

Mid-Atlantic Rail Adventure: April 24 to 27. Trip includes motor coach transportation to Pittsburgh and a river cruise on the Gateway Clipper. Rail transportation to Washington, D.C. aboard Amtrak’s full-service Capitol Limited. Monuments and memorials. Baltimore – Inner Harbor. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Arlington National Cemetery. Return trip by motor coach departing from Baltimore.

New York, New York on July 4: July 3 to 6. Includes Hyde Park – F.D. Roosevelt’s home, West Point Military Academy, Hudson River/NYC Harbor Cruise – view Macy’s fireworks from the Capt. J.P. II. Two-night stay at Edison Hotel in the Times Square area. Shopping. Tour of NYC. Broadway musical. Travel is by motor coach.

Bavarian Europe: Sept. 10 to 20. Includes air fare to and from Austria. Then tour Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Milan. Fliers re: this trip are now available.

For information and to sign up for any of the extended trips, call Marianne Serio at 672-5274. For more information and to sign up for any day trips, call Judy Marino at 672-5778.

Find Grape Belt Seniors on Facebook. Active members are eligible to join the FB group.

Silver Creek Seniors

The Nov. 27 meeting was cancelled by reason of an autumn winter weather storm.

At the next 1 p.m. meeting on Dec. 4 at the senior club house on Route 5, we look forward to better weather and a promising marathon sing-along with pianist Lester Fuller. Volunteers will serve the ever-popular sloppy joes for lunch.

United Senior Citizens

The United Senior Citizens will meet Monday, Dec. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fredonia Beaver Club, 64 Prospect St., when all will enjoy appetizers and punch followed by a lovely baked ham dinner. This will be the last meeting before the March 11 meeting. All are encouraged to pay the $5 dues at this time and include it with your lunch reservation of $10 per lunch made out to the United Senior Citizens and send to Linda Riley, 264 King St., Dunkirk, New York 14048 no later than Dec. 4. Note the following: Send $10 per lunch (not $11 as previously stated), $5 dues, bingo will be played after lunch with prizes and send checks to Linda Riley, not Evonne Hennebery by Monday, Dec. 4. Refer any questions to Linda Riley at 785-0039.

Westfield Senior Citizens

Twenty-seven members attended the Nov. 8 meeting of the Westfield Senior Citizens held at the Y.M.C.A. at noon.

The New Horizons Saxtette entertained us before joining us for our submarine sandwich luncheon with delicious desserts.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by members after Shirley Kolpein shared a couple of jokes.

President Pat Sciarrino recited “Psalms of Thanksgiving” to open the meeting.

The secretary’s report was read and accepted.

The treasurer’s report by Pat Everts was read and accepted.

The 50/50 was won by Merle Wertz.

Jan Van Ord’s name was called for the door prize.

Wining drawings were called from the silent auction and were enjoyed by many members. Thanks were given for donated items.

Sunshine Chairman Dolores Kaufman reported birthdays for Dave Cochran, Kathy Kenney, Carol Reynolds, Carolyn Clancy and herself. Cards were sent to Ann Cochran and Judy Sumption.

The secretary will take donations of gloves, mittens and hats from members to her daughter for Union Relief Christmas gifts.

An executive decision was made to provide a ham, scalloped potatoes, squash and applesauce dinner for our December luncheon.

Desserts will be provided by the kitchen committee.

Members should bring their table service.

Suggestions made for programs for 2019:

Bill Ward, Centerstage Dancers, Kent Knappenberger’s WACS music students, Office for the Aging, Doc John Hamels.

Nominations for officers for 2019:

President: Pat Sciarrino; Vice President: David Cochran; Treasurer: Pat Everts; Secretary: Ann Cochran. Installation will be Dec. 13.

The December meeting will be an $8 to 10 gift exchange. Pauline Emilson will do a Christmas sing-along.

The “Serenity Prayer” was recited to end our meeting.