Powder River Examiner -

By Senior Center Director Pat Ridenour

It’s been quite a while since I put pen to paper so I will catch you up a bit. In September John and I moved to town and that has taken a lot of time and energy! I found out I am not as young as I once was- the last time I moved was 50 years ago-but have lived through it all and we like living in town.

November brings Thanksgiving and boy do we have a lot of things for which to be thankful! We don’t have some of the people problems that the urban areas have and all the big storms have missed us so far this winter, and took a route around this side of Montana. You can make your own list from there.

One of the things we do hear about is Telephone Scams. The Sheriff brought a notice to the Senior Center about that subject and said several in the area had been caught up in the ‘Grandparents Scam’. The caller will say that your grandchild is in trouble or in jail and needs money to pay the bail. And They Need It NOW. And don’t tell anyone about the call. NEVER SEND MONEY and DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION! HANG UP. Make note of the phone number and call the Sheriff’s Office at 436-2333. These callers are very convincing so be wary of all callers you don’t know.

Christmas Stroll on November 30th, the Senior Center hosted the Cake Walk. Although attendance was down, as it was in other establishments as well, we had a good Bake Sale and Raffle Sales. I so appreciate the hard work Kelda Page from the Extension Office and Community Development Council did on this project. The musicians played from 5 PM to 8 PM, the help decorating, people who donated baked goods, candies, etc., handmade jewelry, dish cloths, and hot pads. Stroll night was the night we started the Raffle on the Afghan made by Anita Wetherelt and a Throw size quilt made by Pat Ridenour. These items were given away at the Congregate Meal on December 12th. John Robinson won the quilt and Lori Turnbough won the afghan. Both recipients were tickled with their winnings.

The last item I will address is our Food Bank at the Senior Center. We have been blessed with a generous folks in the area who have shared with us through Mizpah Masters 4-H Club, Powder River Petals with their Cans for Roses promotion, FFA has donated 3 times with different projects-the last being 2 meals that had to be a certain amount-Trick-or Treat for the Food Bank brought in a couple boxes also. An over the road trucker even brought in about $40 worth of groceries. Then we have 2 local ranchers that have each given the Food Bank an animal and with generous monetary donations received for the Food Bank, we are able to pay for the processing. We have just purchased a used freezer to store the meat at the Center. Broadus Meats does the processing for us.

A person or family does NOT have to ‘qualify’ for using the Food Bank. If you or someone you know needs some items, please come in and see me. All is confidential. We supply bags and carry out if needed. We have canned vegetables and fruits, many kinds of beans (canned), soups and one dish meals-heat and serve kind. Also available is a dry pantry with macaroni and pastas, rice, cereal, and a few other items. So please stop in and help yourself to the Food Bank!

We are open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 AM to 4 PM and on Thursday from noon to 4 PM. Tuesdays are our less busy days as we have exercises on Monday and Wednesday mornings and cards or BINGO in the afternoons. We will be closed December 21st through December 25, open 26th and 27th, then closed 28th through New Years Day, though the 500 Club will play on December 31st at 12:30.

The phone number is 436-2635 or emailseniorcenter @rangeweb.net for more information. I will be glad to help you.

Have a Merry Christmas and be Safe through the Holidays.

We end the year with a poem for Aletta Shannon:

Aletta, This old man is old and his wit is kind of slow,

But the Love for Aletta from this community

is an everlasting flow.

From the Old Sheepherder