SENIOR HAPPENINGS

By PR Senior Center Director Tammy Jackman

October brought a week and a half of no activities at the center as we got our floor refinished, compliments of the PRCEF (Powder River County Endowment Fund), Julie Riley, Senior Citizens and the crew from CA Woodworks Inc. (Cole Smith). Cole and his crew were here for 3 days sanding down, fixing and putting a commercial grade sealant on the floor. It looks fabulous and is very easy to keep clean, stop by and take a peek for yourself.

Arthritis exercises and chair yoga are in full swing with our new Extension Agent, Jackie Beardsley teaching. Exercises are on Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and chair yoga is on Tuesday at 9 a.m., so come down and pull up a chair to join in. We always have room for more.

We sewed and visited, played cards and visited, had ladies lunch out and visited, you can see what we do the most of. We had a good crowd for Bunco on the 24th, with one person getting 5 buncos, which I think is pretty impressive. On the 31st we had lots of little trick or treaters in the morning and the bigger kids after school got out. Some of the costumes are very creative. Also, on the 31st in the afternoon we decided to try playing Mexican Train dominoes as we had a good bit of interest in playing it. Had a good crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. A handful of senior citizens took a trip up Spearfish Canyon on October 10th. We saw the mountain goats up close and personal and had wonderful lunch at the Latchstring at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge. On our way back thru Spearfish we stopped at the Farmer’s Market.

For November, Ladies Lunch Out will be on the 14th at Seabeck’s at noon, we can always use more ladies to chat with and Bunco will be on the 21st at 1 p.m. This is such a fun time with laughing, snacks and of course visiting, we would love to have a few more come join us.

Debbie Weyer who is with ACTION and comes to help with Social Security will be at the center on November 13th. This will be the last time she comes during open enrollment so if you need to see her, please call Tammy to make an appointment.

The Senior Citizens are raffling off a little something again this year, courtesy of Pat Smith. I am not sure if it should be called a shoulder wrap, a lap blanket or a table covering as it could be used as any of those things. It is very beautiful and we will begin selling raffle tickets November 1st and draw on Valentine’s Day. Tickets will be 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. Stop by and grab some or see Tammy at the craft show on November 22nd and 23rd at the VFW. The item can be viewed on our Facebook page (Powder River County Senior Center) or at the center itself.

Just a heads up, the center will be closed on November 5th for Election Day, November 11th for Veteran’s Day and of course November 28th for Thanksgiving Day. If you are needing to see Tammy or need something from the food pantry just keep those days in mind.

CONGREGATE MEALS:

11/6--Vegetable Soup, beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes, cookies

11/13--Ham and bean soup, pork chops, seasoned potatoes, peach cobbler

11/20—Chicken/wild rice soup, hot turkey sandwich, stuffing, cranberry sauce, carrot cake

11/27—Clam chowder, fish and shrimp, mac and cheese, chocolate cake

I want to be sure and thank everyone who has donated items to the Senior Center and Food Pantry in the month of October. Kathy Meyers donated eggs, Dave Hoppe donated food pantry items, Teri Westland donated coats and Mary Washburn donated food pantry items. We want to say a huge thank you to Southeast Electric out of Ekalaka, they once again purchased 4-H animals at our fair but then donated that meat back to various organizations with our food pantry being one of them. We appreciate this so very much their donation keeps the freezer full for most of the winter. If I have forgotten anyone, I am sorry and please know that we appreciate all the donations that we get.

The Senior Center also received a donation from Scramble 4 A Cure, a LifeVac. This little device, for when the Heimlich maneuver isn’t working, goes over the mouth when choking and will suction out whatever is being choked on. We are very grateful for this donation as you never know when something like that can happen.

That is all I have for this month, the month of the Turkey. Here is wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your friends and family.