President Ed Newman called the Jan. 14 meeting to order on a mild winter day. Chaplain Pauline Flitt invoked the blessing, giving thanks for each day we are together and offering a prayer for every need. As in our school days of yore, the brown bag lunch goodies were revealed with no possible swapping as might have been made in memories of days past. Side orders of cheese chunks, salsa dip and chips, fluffy gelatin with mini marshmallows, cookies and apple pie were on the table for all to share, thanks to our generous volunteers.

The Comedy Corner found Flitt and Jen Zlotnick telling tall tales of amusing anecdotes, which paved the way for the coming of a group work-out in hilarity.

The new year is still young, and it’s time for some fun with a laughing meditation work-out and exercise as recommended by a Dr. Elkin. First, we simply stretch, then yawn. We warm up by making funny faces and slowly smiling. Next we begin laughing until we laugh from deep in our bellies rather than from our throats. We stop laughing and then meditate on a peaceful scene, feeling only “Peace, Joy and Love are Flowing Like a River.” Meditation is a proven stress-reducer and that is good for your heart. It can even lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. When you laugh, your cardiovascular system gets a mini-aerobic exercise. Our upper arm exercise was then completed to the memory tune of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.”

50/50 winners were Eleanor Lemiszko, Carl Mohart, Harry Suski and Ginny Chesbro. Door prizes were won by Lemiszko, Suski and Gene Chesbro. Jan Snyder called mind-sharpening bingo and the winners were Thelma Hilliker, Lorrie Newman (twice), Flitt, Phyllis Burghardt, Ellyn Sutehall, Ginny Chesbro and Suski.

A reminder was made in regards to a special fund-raiser benefiting the Silver Creek Food Pantry and taking place at the next 1 p.m. meeting on Jan. 21. Donate one item or $1 and receive a free ticket for each item. Winners drawn will receive very special prizes.

At the next 1 p.m. meeting on Jan. 21, a surprise mystery lunch will be served.

Grape Belt Seniors

Aerobics and Weights with Catherine on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m. Any cancellation of class will be posted on Catherine’s FB page, GrapeBelt Seniors FB page, and announced on WDOE.

All trips, extended as well as day trips, are open to the public; members and non-members. Fliers for upcoming 2020 trips are available at the Center on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Trips are First Paid – First Reserved!

Flyers are available for 2020 Day Trips:

April 17: “Memories” – tribute to Barbara Streisand.

May 6: Niagara Casino Slot Tournament. Includes $15 slot play and $15 food.

June 17: Yankees at Pittsburgh with Gateway6 Clipper Cruise on the Three River.

July 7: Niagara Casino Customer Appreciation. Includes $30 slot play and free lunch buffet.

July 15: Day in Cleveland. Luncheon cruise, West Side Market, Botanical Gardens, and Mitchell Ice Cream.

Aug. 30: Yankees in Cleveland. Trip is full but can go on Wait List for cancellations. Depart 9 a.m. Home 8 p.m.

Sept. 28: Corning Museum, with lunch, museum tour, and make our own glass pumpkin.

Oct. 14: Musical comedy at Station Dinner Theater. “Golden Senior Moments.” First stop at Fuhrman’s General Store and Cider Mill. Last stop at Connie’s Ice Cream.

Nov. 3: Niagara Casino Customer Appreciation.

Dec. 15: Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lunch at Prince of Wales. “A Christmas Carol” at Royal George Theatre. Time for downtown. Proof of citizenship required.

Extended trips for 2020: Flyer is available for Treasures of Quebec by rail. Another bus has been added for this trip to Quebec. Bus #1 travels July 27 to July 31, 2020. Bus #2 travels July 29 to Aug. 2, 2020. Flyer is available for the Pacific Northwest trip Sept. 14 to Sept. 21, 2020. For May 20 to May 22, 2020 there will be a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which will include seeing Queen Esther at the Sight and Sound Theater, plus more! Flyer is available for this trip.

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.

David Wendt will be at the Center on Jan. 20 at 10:30 a.m. to do the trip presentations for 2020.

Find Grape Belt Seniors on Facebook. It is a closed group. Those who have paid their 2020 dues are eligible to join.

Collins 50 Plus Seniors

Sunday, Jan. 19: Pickle Ball at 6 p.m., L.K. Painter Center gym.

Monday, Jan. 20: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym.

Tuesday, Jan. 21: Active Senior Aerobics with Kim at 9 a.m., Painter Center gym, small fee; Soup and Sandwich Lunch at noon, L.K. Painter Center Yellow Room. Come out and enjoy a delicious lunch of home made chili, green salad. desert and drink for only $3. Everyone is welcome !

Wednesday, Jan. 22: Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym; Quilting with Florence at 10:30 a.m., Collins Library Community Room; Bowling at 1 p.m. at K&L Lanes in Gowanda. Small fee.

Thursday, Jan. 23: Yoga at 10 a.m., L.K. Painter Center gym.

Friday, Jan. 24: Percussion & Exercise with Kim at 9 a.m., small fee; Exercises with Pat at 10 a.m., Painter Center gym.

* The Collins 50 Plus Seniors and LOVE INC would like to thank Jim Fort and the crew at Shop N Save in Gowanda for allowing us to man the Red Kettle and take donations inside the store this past holiday season. All money raised will stay in this local area – Thanks Again Shop N Save !

** In case of inclement weather check Channel 2 News or Channel 7 News for L.K. Painter Center / 50 Plus Senior Closings.

** The next AARP Defensive Driving Class will be held on Tuesday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the L.K. Painter Community Center in Collins. To reserve a spot, 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. The fee for the lunch is $3.

** Bring to the class: Your check made out to “AARP” for the class fee – cash is not accepted; the lunch fee of $3 (if you are signed up for lunch); your driver’s license; your AARP card (if a member); a pen.

Check in by 8:30 a.m. Class begins at 9 a.m. sharp.

Sinclairville Senior Citizens

The Sinclairville Senior Citizens meet once a month on the second Tuesday at noon in the Sinclairville Firehall Dining room for a luncheon and meeting. The January meeting was held with President LouAnn Smith welcoming all to the new year and to the gathering. New year’s decorations were provided by President Smith and secretary Jaymi Clark. Pastor Phil Shay led all in a blessing prior to the meal, and John Sipos led all in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Smith led all in the Lord’s Prayer. Sunshine chairman Betty Wielgasz read the names of those celebrating a birthday or an anniversary. The birthday song was then sung.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read by past secretary Smith, and the financial report was read by treasurer Charles Sylvester. Prizes were awarded by President Smith. Recipients included Lori Polizzi, Diman Smith, Russell Delahoy, Bonnie Larkin, Ray Wood, Mrs. Smith, Diane Shaw, June Whipple, Linda Parmenter, Susan Sipos, Carol Hetrick, Jaymi Clark, Fred Wing, Jane Wing, Mrs. Wielgasz, and Bonnie Larkin. Diman Smith told a story of when his father constructed the garage out of used sign boards, and what prompted him to have a new driveway. A brief review of the upcoming meetings during the year was given by President Smith.

The next gathering will be on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at noon in the Sinclairville Firehall dining room. This will be the Valentine’s meeting, and festive table decorations will be provided by Ray Wood and Diman Smith. All those attending are asked to wear red. All those attending are asked to bring a dish of food to add to the meal, and their own table service. New members are always welcome.

Dunkirk Senior Center

Our Super Bowl sign-up is in progress.

All programs are back in effect.

Also, a small mini bus trip to Niagara Falls outlets is scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 20 with early lunch at Pegasus in Hamburg. The price is $15, with lunch and transportation included. The capacity is 22. Check with the Center for any available seats left.

There is an upcoming Easter Shopping/Broadway Market trip in the Square trip on Tuesday, April 7 with sign-up beginning Feb. 10. Details can be found in the January/February newsletter, available in the Senior Center office for members.

Membership renewal ($5 per year), dues for 2020 are now being accepted. Any present member turning 85 years of age by Jan. 31, 2020 will have dues waived and get an Honorary card. New members must be at least 50 years of age. In order to attend or participate in Center activities, your dues must be paid. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office is located at 45 Cliffstar Court. The Center’s phone number is 366-7530.

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