50-Plus Seniors
COLLINS - The 50-Plus Senior Program will hold a pot luck Christmas luncheon and party Friday, Dec. 10 at noon in the gymnasium of L. K. Painter Community Center, Main Street, Collins. Anyone who has attended any of the senior activities during the past year is invited to attend. Bring a dish to pass with meat, beverages and table service to be provided by the program.
Those attending are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Gowanda Food Pantry for its Christmas distribution. Items in short supply for the holiday season are: cakes mixes, frosting mix, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce and pasta, boxes of scalloped potatoes and any variety of canned fruits and vegetables. A donation basket has been set up in the senior room for those wishing to bring in items prior to the party.
Christmas music will be provided by Shirley Wagenblatt on the organ and games will be played. The senior program has had the good fortune to have had a number of painting classes taught by Eleanor Arendt and students are being asked to bring samples of their work for display at the Christmas party. Please bring in paintings by 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
Also on tap this week is the senior trip Thursday evening for the concert "Christmas on Broadway" in King Concert Hall at SUNY Fredonia. Bus leaves at 7 p.m. from the Center's front parking lot on Main Street, Collins.
Other activities for the week are: Indoor Walking and Exercises led by Pat Tucker, 9 a.m., gymnasium, Monday and Wednesday (not held Friday, due to Christmas party). Monday: Tai Chi led by Bobbie Leisner and Elaine McGuire, 1 p.m. with warm-up exercises at 12:30 p.m. in the gymnasium; Informal Euchre Game, 2 p.m., senior room. Gentle Arthritis Exercises are canceled Tuesday but will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. Also Tuesday: Quilting with Florence, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Room, Collins Public Library. For information, call Florence Reynolds, 532-2507.
Wednesday: Informal Crafts with Pat Tucker, 1 p.m., senior room, Senior Bowling, 1 p.m., K & L Lanes, Gowanda. Cost is $1.50 per game or three games for $4.
Openings are available for the matinee performance of "Sound of Music" on Sunday, April 3 at Marvel Theatre, SUNY Fredonia. Final day for reservations is Jan. 5. Sign-up sheet is available in the senior room or call 532-2507.
Keep Friday, Dec. 17, date open as this is the day we help with Toy Wrapping for the Lions Club. Wrapping starts at 10 a.m. in the gym. Volunteers are needed and lunch will be served to the workers.
Brocton-Portland Senior Citizens
The Brocton-Portland Seniors met on Nov. 29 at the Nickel Plate Restaurant for their Thanksgiving luncheon.
There were 49 members, with one new member, Bob Patterson Sr., and four guests, Marshall McDonald, Lee Ann Cogdill, Joan Wicks and Ann Mahon present.
President Tom De Joe opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Alberta Blakely said the opening prayer, and a moment of silence was observed for the sick and deceased members.
Mary Presto sent a get-well card to Jan De Joe.
The secretary's report was read and a motion by Phyllis Bevoltz and seconded by Lena Elliott to accept it. The treasurer's report was read and a motion by Pat Smith and seconded by Bob Jagoda to accept it.
November birthday wishes were extended to Mary Presto, Bob Jagoda, Art Donovan, Mary Tripi, Charlie Reading, Elaine Wood and Betty Kieryczek.
Anniversaries for the month of November are Pat and Angelo Zanghi, 57 years; Jan and Tom De Joe, 38 years; and Lena and Dan Elliot, 13 years.
The Chinese auction and bake sale was a great success.
Fifty-fifty winners were Allen Jones, Rudy Aynardi, Carm Johnson, Jan De Joe, Tom Dascenzo and Sara Erickson.
Attendance prizes went to Julie Schrantz and Kate Cranston.
Nominations and election of 2011 officers were held. The new officers will be: President Robin Carr, Vice President Tom De Joe, Secretary Pat Zanghi, and Treasurer Rita Stonefoot. The new officers will be sworn in at the December meeting by Alberta Blakely.
The December meeting is Dec. 20, at noon at the Nickel Plate Restaurant. The menu is prime rib or lasagna. Members are asked to call Rita Stonefoot by Dec. 13 to make reservations at 792-4565.
Collins Center Seniors
COLLINS - The meeting for the Collins Center Seniors on Nov. 22 was well-attended and the group was excited to review the many trips that are already scheduled for 2011. Most of the passengers for the New York City trip, Dec. 14-16, were present to receive the final details of the trip.
Picture ID is required at the Seneca Niagara Casino for the Frankie Avalon "Christmas & Hits" show on Dec. 8. The group will depart from Gabels' parking lot at 10 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. There will be two motor coaches for this trip and those wishing to find out which one they are on can call Bridget or Irene.
Trips for 2011 were discussed. A journey to the Seneca Niagara Casino is planned for Feb. 10 and March 8, departing 9 a.m. and returning 4 p.m. Lord of the Dance at Shea's Buffalo Theatre with sit-down dinner at the Pearl Street Grille is set for March 19, with 4:30 p.m. departure and 11 p.m. return.
On April 27, the group will travel to Erie, Pa. for a Polka party, with a tour of St. Stanislaus Church, a Polish-American buffet at Union Station, polka music, dancing, and shopping at Urbankiak's Meat Market. Departure is at 8:30 a.m. with return at 6:30 p.m.
Also planned are trips to Washington, D.C., May 6-9; Mystery Tour May 24; "Head to the Shore" June 5-8, including Atlantic City, Wildwood, guided tours of Cape May and Philadelphia; West Side Story at Shea's Buffalo Theatre, June 12; Black Hills of South Dakota Sept. 6-15.
Overnight trips can be charged on a credit card. Insurance is available on all of the trips. Gift certificates are available for any occasion in any amount.
For more information, contact Irene Pfeifer at 532-4268 or Bridget Farner at 532-9586. Make checks payable to Collins Center Seniors, 13851 Quaker St., Collins, NY 14034.
Dunkirk Federated Seniors
The Dunkirk Federated Seniors met at the Dunkirk Senior Center on Tuesday. President Loretta Hemink led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of "God Bless America."
A reading entitled "Every Sunrise Brings a Blessing," was given by Chaplain Josie Wierczysnki. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Secretary Wierczynski and accepted as read by Charlene Hallmark with a second by Jennie Prechtl.
The treasurer's report was read by Treasurer Ruth Mackowiak. It was accepted as read by Irene Christopher with a second by Marion Genovese.
Attendance prizes were won by first, Helen Barone; second, Loretta Hemink, and third, Shirley Palmatier.
Helper of the day was Hallmark and the others who assisted.
Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner is Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. at the Dunkirk Senior Center. The menu consists of prime rib, tossed salad, rolls, and peach crisp with ice cream. There will be no meeting at 1:15 p.m.
Kitchen committee for Dec. 14 is Kitty Lehnen.
Silver Creek Seniors
SILVER CREEK - Silver Creek Seniors met Nov. 23 with 29 members for a catered Thanksgiving meal. Chaplain Irene Conny presented an appropriate prayer, "Thanksgiving Grace."
Bart Adams and Jane Park were welcomed as new members. Michael Henry was welcomed as a guest.
Several members won prizes. A raffle was held for a decorative lighted small Christmas tree which was won by Joan Suski. It was given by Dorothy Miniri.
Jokes were given by John Krestic. Bingo was called by Suski.
The food committee for Dec. 7 will be Carl and Arlene Mohart.
New members are always welcome.
Westfield Senior Citizens
WESTFIELD - The Westfield Senior Citizens met Nov. 11 at the YMCA. A pot-luck meal was enjoyed by 22 members and 1 guest.
Following the luncheon, a program was presented by Jill Keating. From her repertoire of show tunes, she sang several numbers as well as encouraging audience participation in the song made famous by Marlene Dietrich, "Falling in Love Again."
The meeting was called to order by President Shirley Kolpien. As devotions, Chaplain Art Kinney read a poem honoring veterans and also talked about a presentation he does about the history of the USO.
The slate of officers for 2011 was presented by the nomination committee. This was accepted unanimously: President Shirley Kolpien, Vice President Geri Harper, Treasurer Dolores Kaufman and Secretary Art Kinney. These officers will be installed at the December meeting.
The 50/50 was won by Chris Vestrand.
Pat Everts sent birthday cards to Alice Seydel, Mary Brandow, Ron Van Ord and Dolores Kaufman. "Doc" and Dorothy Near celebrated an anniversary and get-well cards were received by Peg McAllister and Marilyn Elder.
Guest Herb Johnson was introduced, as well as new members Audrey Wilkinson and Pat Smith.
The Christmas luncheon will be held Dec. 9 at noon at the YWCA. This will be a pot-luck. The kitchen committee is Margaret Gindling, Gladys Hess, Chris Vestrand and Pat Everts. Desserts will be provided by Irma Lloyd, Pat Smith, Sylvia Colbey and Sally Merwin. Each member should bring a new $5 wrapped gift for exchange, the women bringing a gift suitable for a woman and the men should bring a man's gift. They should be labeled as to whether they are for a man or woman.
