These Silver Creek Seniors have January and February birthdays. Left to right: Jean McDaneld, Gene Chesbro, Joan Suski, and Sue Duecker. Missing from picture: January: Eleanor Lemiszko and Claudia Markham; February: Walter Klyczek and Elaine Wojda. Submitted Photo.

Silver Creek Seniors

The Feb. 25 meeting opened on Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent, celebrated as Mardi Gras. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and “God Bless America” was sung with sincerity. President Ed Newman invoked the blessing, giving thanks for the food we were about to share and praying for all who were here and all who were away on this day of togetherness. While waiting for the fun food pizza to be delivered by Ellie’s Deli, Sue Duecker made a surprising announcement: there were a dozen special Mardi Gras masks decorated with sparkling sequins and colorful feathers, Mardi Gras beads and coins that she was about to distribute by way of a random drawing to 12 ladies in our group. Many thanks to Sue for making Mardi Gras more fun and more colorful than we had ever expected. The masks and beads will be lovingly packed away for future Mardi Gras. A photo of the ladies wearing those colorful accessories was taken for posterity, to show that senior citizens have lots of love and fun to give to others and to each other.

The table was happy to serve the pizza and thanks to volunteers, a generous tossed salad, pickles and olives, Polish Paczki’s (doughnuts) and fluffy raspberry gelatin completed the Mardi Gras luncheon.

The Comedy Corner stars, Don Burghardt and Jan Snyder, added to the merriment by cracking cute, corny quips. Nothing could be sweeter than the sound of laughter.

Today we celebrate Mardi Gras, a time when we can be a bit carnival crazy in a festive, fun-loving way. Our memory songs say “Boom, Boom, Ain’t It Great to Be Crazy?” And what could be more fun than a virtual ride with a “Ferryboat Serenade,” taking us all the way to “Hernando’s Hideaway” in New Orleans, where we will celebrate Mardi Gras all day long.

50/50 winners were Ginny Chesbro, Eleanor Lemiszko and Richard Carlson. Door prizes were won by Ellyn Sutehall, Lorrie Newman and Carm Tampio. President Newman called mind-sharpening bingo winners Snyder, Lemiszko, Sue Borowski, Phyllis Burghardt, Judy Hahn, Jean McDaneld, Tampio, Shirley Sikorski and Gene Chesbro.

At the next 1 p.m. March 3 meeting at the Silver Creek Senior Center, volunteers will serve luncheon refreshments.

Members who stayed and played Mexican Train found more Mardi Gras fun to share.