Letter to Editor

Fun at the senior citizen center

Friends, lend me your attention for a moment:

I want to address a very under utilized activity for the young at heart, those 50 and over, (and some under). Namely, senior citizen centers. These are located in Plains, Hot Springs, Thompson Falls, Noxon, Heron and Dixon. Most of them have meals twice a week.

I’ll speak of Plains, since I’m a member. We have lunch both Wednesday and Friday, gathering from 11 a.m. and eating at noon. These are good, full meals with all the “fixins” and are very reasonable priced.

At Plains, we play Bingo both Wednesday and Friday starting at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. We really have a good time, with a lot of rivalry and fun. There are hundreds of used books for members to read and there are card games, (Not sure what days, cause I don’t play cards) and we have a great pool table that hasn’t had much use for quite a while.

From time to time, we have bake sales and “other” activities that you can enjoy. Always the coffee pot is on and maybe even a cookie now and again.

If you can’t get out on your own, we have pick up service from your door to ours and return. We have some members living at the “Assisted Living Center” at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital who utilize this service, as well as other folks who live at home, but no longer drive. There is also a bus available that takes folks into Missoula for shopping and medical appointments. My information is that the bus runs 4 days a week and you can get on the list by calling “Sanders County Council on Aging” at 406-741-2436. I believe that they will pick you up at home, but you had better talk to them as I may not have the full story. Their pick up time I’m told is near 8 a.m.

Whether you are a “young senior citizen or a bit older, like most members, you are most welcome. Membership is per year per member, (50 and over). Under 50 can be members as well.

Years ago, I used the excuse that “Oh, I don’t want to hang around with all those “Old people,” but I did get older, (imagine that) and I found out that they are a great bunch of friends, (some of whom I haven’t met yet) and we’d like to invite you to come and see, sit down and have a meal with us and I truly hope that you will decide to join the group and continue to come and have fun. Just remember, it’s pretty lonely out there by yourself.

We are located in beautiful downtown Plains, right behind the VFW at 205 Meany St. (And remember, Plains is located between Paradise and Beyond Hope.) Idaho that is. Call 826-3018, for more information on pricing.

— Lynn McAtee