Collins 50 Plus Seniors

Activities for the week of Nov. 25 to Dec. 1

Monday, Nov. 26: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym.

Tuesday, Nov. 27: Active Senior Aerobics with Kim at 9 a.m., L.K. Painter Center gym, small fee; AARP Defensive Driving Class from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., L.K. Painter Community Center, 2355 Main St., Collins. Must be signed up to take this class. Seats are available. Call 532-2006 ext. 21 and leave message.

Wednesday, Nov. 28: 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 1p.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, Nov. 29 : Yoga with Donna at 11 a.m., Painter Center gym, small fee.

Friday, Nov. 30: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym; Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Shop N Save in Gowanda.

Saturday, Dec.1: Salvation Army from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shop N Save.

** The next AARP Defensive Driving Class will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the L.K. Painter Community Center in Collins. To sign up, call 532-2006 ext.21 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and if you would like to have the lunch. The fee for the class is $20 for AARP members / $25 for non-members. Make your check or money order (no cash) out to “AARP” and bring it with you when you check in on the day of the class. The fee for the lunch is $3. and will be collected when you check in on the morning of the class. Class begins at 9 a.m. SHARP – check in by 8:30 a.m. Bring your check, your AARP member card(if a member), your drivers license, and a pen.

** 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. All are asked help with this worthwhile cause.

** If you are signed up for “An All American Christmas” on Tuesday, Dec. 4, the bus leaves the front parking lot of the L.K. Painter Community Center (2355 Main St., Collins), at 10 a.m. and will return by 4 p.m.

Collins Center Seniors News

The next meeting for the Collins Center Seniors will be Nov. 26 at the Gowanda American Legion with a pot luck lunch at noon followed by a short meeting.

ATTENTION: Passengers for the “CHRISTMAS IN THE OHIO VALLEY” trip: Due to the “Christmas in Gowanda “ activities on Friday, Nov. 30, it is suggested that passengers park along the fence by the houses on the Water Street end of the parking lot in case the motor coach is unable to pull into the parking lot on our return. Dec. 11, the motor coach will depart at 10:15 a.m. from the parking lot behind the stores on Main Street in Gowanda for for “THE DRIFTERS WHITE CHRISTMAS SHOW” at the Seneca Niagara Casino.

We are working on a trip in the middle of May 2019 to Annapolis, Ocean City, Maryland and Chincoteague (where the wild horses are) with stops in Lancaster and Shanksville, Pennsylvania on our way home. We hope to have fliers and sign up sheets for the trip in December.

Arrangements are incomplete for a trip to the Thousand Islands Aug. 18-21, 2019. We will enjoy a fabulous “Two Nation Lunch Cruises,” Tours of Boldt Castle and the (possibly haunted) Singer Castle with a tour of the Antique Boat Museum. Fliers and sign up sheets will be available when all the details are complete.

For additional information visit our web site at www.knowhowtours.com/collinscenter or 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 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.

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., but not the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23. (Doors do not open until 8:50 a.m.) Winter is on its way. 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.

There will be no luncheon in November. The Christmas/Holiday luncheon is Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Kosciuszko Club, 252 Nevins St., Dunkirk. All attendees must be members of Grape Belt Seniors. Reservations are closed.

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. 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!

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. 20 meeting was called to order on a day of gathering together and giving thanks. With a heartfelt welcome, President Ed Newman introduced guest Elaine Wojda of Silver Creek, friend of Lorrie Newman, and guest Rose Cerrie of Fredonia, friend of Helen Burt.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and “God Bless America” was sung with thankfulness. The friendly atmosphere in the room sparkled with smiling faces. Decorative tables with a Thanksgiving harvest-time theme greeted everyone upon entering. Even the goodie-bags at each table setting featured happy smiley faces.

Pauline Flitt offered thanks for the blessings of family and friends, for the food prepared with loving hands and for those who were present only in our hearts. A traditional turkey and all the trimmings served by Dolly of Busy Beaver’s at Wolf’s Run were characteristically delicious.

After lunch, Bob Sutehall introduced our guest inspirational and dynamic speaker, Sylvester Cleary. Mr. Cleary did not disappoint. We share with you excerpts from his words of wisdom. Mr. Cleary expounded on the quiet power of senior citizens and children who in turn must recognize that power and give it voice. He then emphasized that if we remember nothing else, keep in mind these five words: “There is greatness in you!” Recognize your greatness, power and knowledge, and start to use it. For certain, everyone in the room felt Mr. Cleary’s inspiring affirmations. He has recorded an album of stirring songs entitled “Love is the Way.” We look forward to its release.

The winners of the 50/50 drawing were Jan Snyder, Harry Suski and Betty Moores. Door prizes were won by Nancy Klycek, Sue Duecker and Eleanor Lemiiszko. President Newman called mind-sharpening bingo and the winners were Moores, Jen Zlotnick, Flitt (twice), Sue Borowski (twice), Cerrie, Marge Church, Shirley Siborski and Ernie Hilliker.

At the next meeting on Nov. 27 at 1 p.m., the warmth of soup will be served, thanks to our volunteers. On Dec. 4, we welcome Mr. Lester Fuller, piano entertainer extraordinaire, for our listening pleasure.

United Senior Citizens

Members of the United Senior Citizens met Monday, Nov. 12, at the Fredonia Beaver Club where they enjoyed the beautiful catered meal consisting of roast turkey, stuffing, squash, tossed salad and pumpkin pie with ice cream for dessert. In President Mary Matteson’s absence, Vice-President Linda Riley and Treasurer Evonne Hennebery managed the meeting that gave tribute to nine members that are Veterans: Jim Andin, US Marine Corps, Vietnam War; John Wiedenhofer, US Army, Vietnam War; Herbert Centner, US Air Force, Vietnam War; Charles Alaimo, US Army, Korean War; Nicholas Andin, US Navy, World War II; Joseph Greco, US Army, Korean War; Charles St. George, US Navy, World War II; Tony Borrello, US Army, Korean War and Fred Summerton, US Navy, Korean War. Thank you for your service!

Before everyone enjoyed their delicious lunch, they recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by singing “God Bless America” and bowing their heads in thankfulness as member, Wendy Black, gave the Invocation. A moment of silence was also shared in respect of those who are deceased.

After lunch the following November birthdays were announced: John Binko, Joanna Brown, Rose Cerrie, Patricia Gloss, Mary Matteson, Virginia Nedveski, Jane Penhollow and Jeri Wiedenhofer. Membership welcomed new members Jane Penhollow, guest of Black and Virginia Nedveski, guest of Margaret Gennuso. Raffleman, Joe Greco Jr. was happily received by winners: Pat Ebert, Mary Edwards, Elaine Fredrickson and Charles St. George.

Each month United Senior Citizen members are diligently called as a reminder for reservations. This month’s callers were Ebert, Riley and Josie Wierczynski. A big shout-out to you ladies!

There were a few joke tellers this month. In addition to our regular Russ Dalby, Riley also shared a humorous joke.

It was voted and passed that dues will be $5.00 and members are encouraged to send dues payment when they send in their checks for lunch reservations. After the regular meeting and lunch, many members stayed for bingo led by Lucy Saeli and Rosemary Mancuso. There will be bingo after the December meeting and extra special prizes to be won, so do plan on making a fun afternoon of it!

The December lunch will start at 11:30 a.m on Monday, Dec. 10. Appetizers and punch will be enjoyed before baked ham, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, tossed salad and ice cream with either chocolate sauce or creme de menthe. Please designate which topping preferred when sending in reservations of $11/ per lunch made out to United Senior Citizens. Send to: Linda Riley, 264 King St., Dunkirk, NY 14048 no later than Dec. 4. Any questions call Riley at 716-785-0039.

The Dec. 10 meeting will be the last one held until the March 11 meeting. In the meantime, please plan on attending December’s and getting your reservation/ dues in by Dec. 4. Note the change of address for reservations.

The United Senior Citizens hopes everyone has a great Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you in December!