Lakes Region Senior Center (LRSC) members recently experienced a new kind of get together when their annual meeting/picnic was held with everyone one wearing masks and distancing the “new normal way” in the time of COVID.
“The group has not been together since March, which is very difficult for many our our senior members,” said LRSC Board member Gerry Day. “We are all very concerned as to when we can return to Little Falls Activity Center, [but] as of right now we can’t go in the building to meet,” she added.
COVID has been especially difficult for seniors, many of whom live alone and desperately miss the companionship and the wide variety of activities offered daily at LRSC. Before the pandemic, members enjoyed bingo, art classes, Mahjong, exercising, puzzles, monthly luncheons, and excursions, as well as visiting speakers on a variety of topics from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MAC’s BBQ and Catering prepared and delivered a delicious lunch for 54 members, family and friends. Everyone wore masks and socially distanced for safety. The picnic menu included vegetarian baked beans, hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, tossed salad, cornbread with homemade honey butter, and a whoopie pie to top it off.
The annual meeting included a moment of silence for deceased members. LRSC President Jeanne Rhein gave her address and Treasurer Jan Foster presented the income and expense sheet for the year. Jean Lake, the prior secretary, read the minutes from last year’s annual meeting and reminded members that Lakes Region Senior Center is looking for an editor for the monthly newsletter.
If you or someone you know enjoys computer work and producing a finished product, has experience with Microsoft, Word, Excel and Publisher, and printing labels, then, Lakes Region Senior Center is looking for you. A computer and all supplies will be available. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Jeanne Rhein at (207) 572-4042 or (732) 425-05604.
When the meeting concluded, everyone returned to their cars and lunch was served by Jan Foster; Gerry Day, our new board member; Audrey Hawxwell; Glenda Sawyer and her daughter, Karen; and Janice Dunbar. Members and their friends/family either took their lunch home or ate it in the parking lot.
Many thanks to everyone who worked so diligently to make this event a huge success. We also thank Patrick Gilheavy who helped set up and break down as well as bringing the LRSC bags that everyone received. Lunch recipients also received a package of masks. It was wonderful to see everyone, even if only from a safe distance.