Wiscasset Senior Center

Why? That's the age old question asked by young and old alike when something perplexing is observed. That was the way it was last Wednesday evening at the Community Dinner. Why did so many people come to the dinner? We had 126 sign up and ended up seating 110. There were many people there who I had never seen before and many others who I had not seen at a dinner in some time. We did serve a fancy named steak. Did this generate the crowd?

It has been a tradition to serve prime rib every third Wednesday of each month. But in November the center will be closed on the third Wednesday, so we decided to do something different and serve a special meal on the second Wednesday. Our chef said he could do a filet mignon for about the same price as prime rib. We hoped this would bring in the same number of people as prime rib, maybe 60 to 70 but at least 50. Then again if we were real lucky we might get 80. So imagine our surprise when there were 120+ on the list by the cutoff date of Monday.

We did have to set up tables in the lobby to handle the crowd. We can sit only 96 in the dining room. From now on we will have a cutoff at 96 so it is important to make a reservation and to cancel it if you will not be present. We did have 16 no-shows last Wednesday.

A few weeks ago we had scheduled a great concert/dance and very few showed up. We have organized other events, trips, special meals and entertainment and few sign up or show up. We did no special advertising or promotion for last Wednesday and we have done filet mignon before. Also we have done other special meals that were more costly to produce and have not had this type of sign-up. Why did all the new people show up? Mind boggling! But this is good and I hope many of these people continue to come to the Community Dinners. The more the better, and of course the greater numbers drive down the costs, making all this possible.

Big crowds also show the need for our planned purchase of a warming/cooking oven. This device will make it easier to prepare everything and keep it all hot and ready to be served. Fundraising for this is going on now and donations at any time will be greatly appreciated.

Next Wednesday, November 28, there will be an MDOT presentation on the Wiscasset Bypass starting at 6:30 p.m. We will allow a limited number to walk in at 6:30 p.m. to attend the presentation without attending the meal but we will ask them to wait in the lobby until all tables are cleaned and some tables removed. Also you do not have to stay for the presentation if you just want to eat dinner and go.

Barbara Farrar has taken on the job to decorate the dining room. She and Bev Lilly did the bulletin board for November. Even though it was a hectic time last Wednesday evening Barbara made table decorations that added to the fall atmosphere. She even had some ready for the tables we had planned to put in the lobby but I'm not sure the decorations made it to those tables. We had to wait to set up those tables until most of the After School Adventurers had been picked up by their parents so the tables were set up hastily.

Have you noticed that Ted came back from vacation sporting a moustache? It's not a requirement for the job of Chairman but it does add a note of distinction to a man, don't you think?

Bud Potter won the 50-50 on Wednesday. The cribbage tournament winners on Tuesday, Nov. 13, were Nancy Schilke first, Ann Merry second, Lewis Vigneault got low score and Dot Kidney had the high hand. On Thursday, Nov. 15, Marlene Rines was first, Keith Bridgham second, Patty Bridgham got low score and Jean Lannan had the high hand.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

(Reservations please! Call 882-8230 at least two days in advance for meal reservations.)

Monday, Nov. 26 - lunch, American chop suey.

Tuesday, Nov. 27 - 9:30 a.m. to noon Cribbage; 1 p.m. Cribbage in Bath.