Wiscasset Senior Center

At our church service on Dec. 23, our minister announced that Betty Stetser had died. I was surprised but I suppose I should not have been for she would have been 103 this April.

She and my mother were born in the same year and just days apart. My mother lived to be 96. Betty reminded me a lot of my mother. They both had lived interesting lives. They both could tell interesting stories and they both were always concerned with family and other people rather then themselves. They both were opinionated, highly regarded by many and because they were human they probably irritated some from time to time.

Nancy and I took Betty to church and Organ Society and the Senior Center for several years. Betty was the oldest Senior Center member for many years.

There were a number of people I knew who passed on during 2007. Some were quite close to me while others I knew only slightly. Some had lived a long life like Betty while others had only an abbreviated stint on the stage of life and left much too soon. Death with its overriding essence of finality causes us to stop and think and mourn the loss. But regardless of how long a person has on the stage of life, their influence lives on.

I saw a statistic awhile ago that stated that of all humans who have ever existed, 5 percent are alive now. That means that all the knowledge and "things" we have is because of what the other 95 percent did with their lives and what was passed on to succeeding generations.

Another person who passed on during 2007 was Jo Bryer. At the Senior Center she was the guiding force in the development of the Scholarship Fund. She was intent on helping those high school students who were not going on to college, to find worthwhile employment by getting additional schooling, training, or hands on experience. Before she died she was able to see the Scholarship Fund present several deserving Wiscasset High School graduates with funds to help them attend a school of their choice.

The Scholarship Fund will continue for some time I'm sure. Hopefully one of the Directors of the Fund or even a new person will get involved to the extent that Jo was involved and further develop the Fund. A dedicated person is needed to refine and direct the Fund to continue making a difference in young people's lives. What is needed is a person committed to working with the school system, doing fund-raising, refining what additional schooling qualifies for a scholarship and perhaps working with these schools and potential employers.

This endeavor and others are possible accomplishments for individuals in 2008. All great things are accomplished by just putting one foot in front of the other. That first step is often the hardest one to take. But the potential of 2008 is in the hands of us 5 percent who are still alive. What will you do this year?

The cribbage tournament winners on Dec. 26, were Nancy Schilke first, Linda Mitchell second, Arlene Steen got low score and Marlene Rines, Hal Thayer, Nancy Schilke and Doc Schilke tied for the high hand. On Thursday, Dec. 27, the winners were Jane LaBreck first, Sherry Westfall second, Nancy Schilke got low score and Patty Bridgham, Ron Bodge and Sherry Westfall tied for the high hand.

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

Monday, Dec. 31 - Senior Center and Community Center closed.

Tuesday, Jan. 1 - New Year's Day, closed.

Wednesday, Jan. 2 - 9:30 a.m. to noon Cribbage; 4:30 p.m. Social Hour; 5:30 p.m. dinner, broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken.

Thursday, Jan 3. - Lunch, meatball subs. 6 p.m. Cribbage.