Gibson Gleanings [02/25/2006]

By Barbara Ray

This time last week, I was talking about the warm temperatures and spring like weather we were having this winter. Guess I spoke too soon, because today, its snowing like crazy! Welcome to New England!Next week is Ash Wednesday or the first day of Lent, which means Tuesday, Feb. 28, is the day we hold our annual Mardi Gras Luncheon. There is a wonderful menu planned for the day and remember colors of the day are green, gold or purple. Hope you can join us. Game days continue to draw a wonderful group on Wednesday afternoons. If you enjoy playing cards, bridge or maybe Scrabble mark your calendar and plan to join us in the activity room any Wednesday afternoon right after lunch. Movie matinees are also back on Thursday afternoons. Check the calendar for scheduled titles each week or call us here at 356-3231.Earlier this month we received some sad news, the loss of one of our long time volunteer drivers, Marjorie Wheeler. I asked Fran to write a few words about this very special lady: In the course of the years, as we go about our daily tasks, certain people enter our lives who exemplify the true spirit of giving. Meals on Wheels driver for 25 years, Marjorie Wheeler, one of Gibsons dear friends, died recently and left us an example of this. Always ready to answer the call, Marjorie and her husband Charles, besides driving their regular route each week, would drive any route, any day of the week, and many time, doubling up, when another driver could not be found. Always cheerful and concerned for the clients, Marjorie brought a comforting presence, assisting them in anyway she could, and lifting their spirits. Many will miss her. We hope that Charles is comforted by the warm memories he shared with his dear wife."Have a good week, pray for our troops and for all the folks along the southern coast, and God bless!Monday, Feb. 27: Yoga class, 9 to 10 a.m., activity room.Tuesday, Feb. 28: Strength and Balance program exercise, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; taxes by appointment, 9 a.m. to noon; Mardi Gras Luncheon. Dont forget to wear green and purple.Wednesday, March 1: Game Day, 12:30 p.m.; taxes by appointment, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Thursday, March 2: Medicare assistance in the social room, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Material Girls, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., activity room.Friday, March 3: Strength and Balance program exercise, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Nutrition Council meeting, 9 a.m., pool room; welcome Sunbridge for lunch; taxes, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in social room by appointment; Alices dance class, 12:30 p.m., activity room.Upcoming!St. Patrick's Luncheon, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 15, 16 and 17. To reserve your spot, please stop by the front desk or call 356-3231 to sign up. Reservations requested!Buongiorno to my Italy travelers! A meeting on the upcoming trip will be held Tuesday, March 21, at 12:30 p.m. Please bring your passports. Ciao!The Gibson Center is sponsoring the AARP Driver Safety Program on Monday and Tuesday, March 27 and 28, 12:15 to 4:15 p.m. AARP developed this eight-hour classroom refresher to help drivers 50 years and older to improve their skills and prevent crashes. It covers age-related physical changes in perception and reaction time, rules of the road and local driving problems. Upon successful completion of the course, participants may be eligible for a discount on their automobile insurance. AARP volunteer instructor Dan Andrews will be presenting this course through a combination of group discussion and video. For more information or to register for the course, please call 356-3231. The fee for the course in only $10.Welcome to Healthwise for Life," another Healthy Aging program offered by the Gibson Center to encourage, support and enhance senior wellness. Together with its sister program Growing Wiser," this program was developed by Healthwise, a nonprofit organization, and assists people in healthy self-care while strengthening the partnership with their doctors. Healthwise for Life will be offered on Monday, March 27, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Spaces are limited, so reservations are required. The cost of the session is $10 for Gibson members and $20 for non-members.If you have any questions or comments on programs, please contact Susan at 356-3231, ext. 16, or stop in!MenuMonday, American chop suey; Tuesday, baked Black Oak ham; Wednesday, chefs choice; Thursday, chicken Bangalore; Friday, macaroni and cheese.