Collins Center Seniors
COLLINS CENTER - 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 and election of officers. Members are reminded that dues must be paid by the January meeting.
The motor coach for the Tuesday trip to the Seneca Niagara Casino will depart from the parking lot behind the stores on Main St. in Gowanda at 8:30 a.m.
Casino trips for 2013 will be scheduled on the third Tuesday of the month. The first Seneca Niagara Casino trip will be Jan. 15 with a special price.
The club will have two motor coaches for Know How Tours and Niagara Scenic Tours customer appreciation event at the Seneca Niagara Casino on Feb. 13. The event package includes: tickets to the show "Love Las Vegas Style" performed in the Bear's Den, motor coach transportation, casino incentive and free lunch buffet.
On March 13 the seniors will enjoy an Irish Festival at the Old Library Inn, Olean. Stops include the Cuba Cheese Shop, an Irish buffet followed by music, authentic folklore, Irish dancers and comedy, then Bradford to visit the Zippo/Case Museum.
March 19 is Syrup and Slots day, with a trip to Portville for a breakfast at Sprague's Maple Farm Restaurant before heading to the Seneca Allegany Casino for a lucky day.
Seats are available and non-members are welcome March 24 to enjoy the performance of "Sister Act" at Shea's Buffalo Theater, with dinner at Ilio Dipaolo's restaurant.
A special Dyngus Day celebration is planned for April 1. Also that month, the New Orleans trip is April 13-21.
For details on trips or to sign up, call 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 Citizens Board of Directors
The Dunkirk Senior Citizens Board of Directors met recently with President Barbara Bajdas presiding.
Carol Kozlowski reported that the November Gala was sold out and reservations for the December Gala are being accepted now. The menu will include appetizers, tossed salad, chicken and biscuits, cranberry sauce, dessert and a beverage. The Silver Sneakers group will host a bake sale at the December Gala.
The Chautauqua County Office of the Aging will be acquiring a little more space at the center due to increased activity. This minor construction event will be taking place soon.
The back parking lot has been blacktopped and stripped. The front lot will be completed in the spring. All of the windows and blinds have been cleaned.
Delphine Waloszyn reported that the next project to be worked on by the Craft Committee will be for Valentine's Day.
Nancy Crandall reported the next big bingo is scheduled for Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. A complimentary lunch will be served prior to the bingo games, which begin at 5 p.m. There will be no bingo in December due to other scheduled festivities.
Bajdas noted that all exercise classes will continue Monday through Friday in the new year. Participants will pay $1 per session. She also reported that the 2013 trip to Atlantic City is almost fully booked. The Nov. 13 trip to Salamanca is sold out. The Holiday Express trip on Dec. 13 is very popular. There are about six seats still available. Scheduled stops are the Market Place in West Seneca, Seneca Niagara Casino and the Festival of Lights at the Lewiston Shrine. Departure is scheduled for 11 a.m., and participants will return home at approximately 9 p.m.
A concerted effort to increase minority membership was discussed. An informational flyer will be distributed at the center and in churches, and posted on the City of Dunkirk website.
Various insurance companies have scheduled their representatives to be at the center for the next few weeks to assist seniors in making their insurance coverage choices for 2013. The calendar of events is posted at the center and in the Senior Newsletter.
The next meeting will take place on Dec. 13 at 9 a.m.
Grape Belt Seniors
The Grape Belt Seniors were very pleased with the successful dinner dance attended by 55 people on Saturday. Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy the dance. The event was planned by Kathy Hart, Sandy Destro and Judy Marino but they also had a lot of help setting up and cleaning up.
Book club, which met on Wednesday, was attended by 10 people who talked about books they have read recently. The next book club meeting will be on Dec. 12. Readers' Theatre, which met on Nov. 7, also had an enthusiastic group of participants. They will meet again on Dec. 5.
There will be no exercise class on Friday, Nov. 23. The last event planned in November will be on Nov. 30, when representatives from Independent Health will be at the center at 10:30 a.m.
Lake Shore Senior Citizens
Lake Shore Senior Citizens met at the Dunkirk Senior Center on Wednesday. President Barb Barberich led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of "God Bless America." A reading entitled "We Gain Strength" was given by Chaplain Loretta Hemink.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary, Hemink, and were accepted as read by Charlene Hallmark with a second by Dorothy Sarzyniak. The treasurer's report was read by the Treasurer Carol Kozlowski. It was accepted as read by Sandy Tapasto with a second by Betty Erick.
Attendance prizes were won by Kozlowski, first prize; Pat Kaus, second prize; and Carrie Gawronski, third prize.
Helper of the day was Stella Michalak, and others assisted. The kitchen committee for Dec. 5 is Betty Korzeniewski and Kozlowski.
There is no meeting Nov. 21. Big Bingo night is Nov. 28.
Mayville Senior Citizens
MAYVILLE - The Mayville Senior Citizens' annual harvest dinner was recently held, with 61 members enjoying the complete turkey dinner prepared and served by the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Dewittville members. Chaplain Dianne Goodrich asked a blessing for the group and the meal before the "family style" dinner was served.
After the meal, President Joyce Ayers called the meeting to order. She thanked the CMA Group. Goodrich read "A Health Message," "A Little Mixed Up," "Thanks" and led the group in prayer. Ayers led the seniors in the flag salute. Secretary Izetta Ayling gave her report and Treasurer Edna Brown gave the financial report. Senior Council representative Jeff Wagner reported that the council is recommending all get a flu shot. Also, the OFA is advising all to check their eligibility for food stamps. There will be a luncheon at the Robert Jackson Center with a special price for seniors.
Goodwill chair Mary Carlson stated she had sent several well wishes and cards to life members. She listed those with November birthdays as life member Eleanor Cornelius. Others celebrating are: Marilyn Anderson. Marie Blesy, Helen Steinbach, Peter Smith, Jean Kelsey, Pat Faust, Gwen Schrier, Dick Westpfahl, Mike Stewart, Hank Ulrich and Carol Brewer. Those celebrating wedding anniversaries are: Fred and Sandy Anderson and Bill and Nancy Tornstrom.
Trip co-chairs Sandy Anderson and Jean Kelsey announced that reservations were closed for the Trip to Cambridge Springs. The bus would leave from the Mayville VFW at 10 a.m. sharp on Nov. 27 for the lunch and show at the Riverside Theater. They also asked for suggestions of places the group would like to see in 2013.
Wanda Gustafson, nominating committee member announced that the same slate of officers were nominated. Ayers asked for nominations from the floor. There were none.
There was a collection for the food pantry taken.
The person called for the lottery was not present, so it grows. Door prizes were won by Jeanne Rhinehart, Chuck Tanner and Jeanne Sampson.
Program Chair Bill Tornstrom introduced Deputy Jason Beichner and his K-9 partner, Drago. Drago, a 32-month-old black German shepard from the Czech Republic, is trained to use his scent. He has located humans, explosives including bullet casings and guns. Drago was purchased through Homeland Security funding and he has located 11 people or suspects in the short time he has been in the county. Beichner reported that Nestle Purina provides food for all the K-9 dogs and the Russell Veterinary provides free services for Drago. Beichner answered many questions asked by the seniors.
The next meeting of the Mayville Senior Citizens will be on Dec. 6 at noon in the Mayville VFW. Ham will be furnished. Bring a casserole, salad or dessert to compliment the ham. Skip Roberts will entertain with songs of the Christmas season.
Sheridan Happy Seniors
SHERIDAN - Sheridan Happy Seniors met recently, with President Ellyn Sutehall opening the meeting by asking Arlene Miller to present a prayer. The pledge to the flag was said, and members sang "God Bless America" and the "Happy Seniors Song" before the business portion of the meeting began. Roll was called by Sue Townsend. The secretary report was presented by Clara Griffin ant the treasurer's report was read by Angie Logan. Both were accepted.
A successful Chinese auction was held the day of the meeting. Forty reservations have been made for the noontime installation lunch to be held at the Koscuiszko Club on Dec. 6. To make a reservation for this, members should call Logan at 965-4150.
New officers for 2013 are as follows: president, Sutehall; vice president, Shirley Sikorski; secretary, Townsend; and treasurer, Logan. A motion to accept these officers was made by Miller and seconded by Joan Guzik. The nominating committee was made up of Marge Crosgrove and Sikorski.
"Happy Birthday" was sung to Gertie Syper whose natal day is in December.
The Riles and Woolley drawing was won by Jean McDaneld. Other drawings were won by Ed Bremmer and Cecelia Petrella.
The next meeting is Jan. 4, 2013, with Florence Gage, Sue Loeb and Logan on food committee.
Sinclairville Senior Citizens
SINCLAIRVILLE - The monthly luncheon and meeting of the Sinclairville Senior Citizens was held recently in the Sinclairville fire hall dining room. President Elaine Palmer-Titus welcomed all with some humorous stories, and then led the group in a blessing remembering those people standing in need and those who were unable to be there at the luncheon. The meal was a catered turkey dinner with all of the fixings provided by the Sinclairville Superette, Eric Spinler and his staff. The dinner was enjoyed by all. Many of the members brought a variety of snack foods for all to enjoy. Thanks were extended to Diman Smith for his time in getting many of the dining room items out, and preparing for the dinner. Table decorations were provided by Norvale Martin-Gane and Sis Morley.
Titus conducted the election of officers for the year 2013. Using the election process of protocol, Titus read nominations, asked for any additions from the floor, and then conducted the election for each officer. Elected for president was Marge McIntyre, for vice president was Linda Parmenter, for secretary was Bill Wittenbrook, and for treasurer was Claudia Wittenbrook. In his lengthy acceptance speech, Wittenbrook expressed the importance of everyone to take their turn in helping in an organization. Betty Wielgasz was re-elected to serve as the sunshine chairman.
Drawings were conducted by Bill Wittenbrook. Recipients included Titus, Marge McIntyre, John Sipos, Norvale Martin-Gane, Peggy Hekins, Marian Culver, Tommy Alford, Irene Moll and Nellie Sharp. November birthdays were recognized and the birthday song was sung to Smith and Jane Penhollow.
At the business meeting, Titus led all in the Lord's Prayer, and Secretary Sipos led all in the pledge of allegiance after a brief history lesson on the pledge of allegiance. Secretary Sipos read the minutes of the previous meeting, some thank you notes, and a report of upcoming events. Treasurer Claudia Wittenbrook gave the financial report. Susan Sipos gave a report of the new Cassadaga Library Cookbook which she is currently typing, and will be ready for sale in the spring of 2013. The new cookbook will include a history of the library association, the original 1950 cookbook, the recipes from the cookbook printed 10 years ago, and new recipes.
The next meeting of the group will be on the second Tuesday in December promptly at noon. The meal will be a catered scalloped potato and ham dinner by the Sinclairville Superette. Table decorations will be provided by Titus and Parmenter. John and Susan Sipos will purchase a Christmas gift for all. New members are always welcome.
Steger Hi-Rise Tenants Association
The Steger Hi-Rise Tenants Association meeting was held on Monday in the Community Room. President Rosa Vega called the meeting to order with 17 members present. Treasurer Linda "Sue" Lockhart led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Josie Wierczynski asked for a prayer in honor of the veterans titled "A Veteran's Prayer." As secretary, she read the minutes from the previous meeting. They were accepted as read by Steve Geiger and seconded by John Sellars.
Treasurer Lockhart gave the financial report. It was accepted with a motion by Josh Hughes and seconded by Clara Weber.
Sunshine Lady Addie Windsor sent get well cards to Bernardina Pierluissi, Mary Hayes, Joann Tegler and Dianna Voss, a sympathy card to Judy Persutti and a thinking of you card to Jean Hallmark.
The Thanksgiving dinner will be on Monday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. in the Community Room. A sign-up sheet is available. It will be a traditional dinner with some Spanish choices as well. The group's birthday party will also be held the same day.
A memorial will be displayed on the wall in the Community Room.
The 50/50 raffle was won by Rita Gestwicki and Wierczynski.
