Occasionally the senior center is rented for private parties. Sunday afternoon “our” special volunteer Jerry Shirkey was honored for having achieved the Eagle Scout rank. There is an impressive list of requirements to earn this honor. The senior center considers Jerry our special volunteer because he has helped serving the pancake breakfast for several years. Jerry is an outstanding young man and we wish to congratulate him on his achievement.

The past week has been a good time to plant your bedding plants even if it’s been a little wet. When we were planting ours, we were serenaded by a couple of house wrens…hopefully they are moving into one of our wren houses. They sing so pretty. The barn swallows are busy carrying mud from the puddles for nest building…hopefully not in the garage over the pick-up.

Wednesday the 19th Marvel Werts came to the center and played the organ she donated to the center recently. She played several numbers and explained that she collected organs and enjoyed playing them for her own pleasure. Her guest was Jill Brennemen her granddaughter. There were over fifty guests for dinner and most of them came early enough to hear her play. Thank you Marvel.

Wednesday special guest of Mary and Ivan Gibson were Maire Lewis of Harper, Maire Atwood of Sigourney, and Marilyn Coffman and Elizabeth Seitsinger of South English. The ladies were members of the “Bright Ideas” club of Brethren Church west of Wellman on Highway 22. After lunch the ladies were going to visit Dr. Wirtz and his wife who are now living in Iowa City at Sterling House.

Thursday was health day and 25 blood pressures were taken. The county health nurse gave a brief talk on the importance of exercise after 60. This seems an appropriate time to remind everyone there is an exercise class at 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the Center followed by coffee and visiting. Exercise is done to a tape and you can work as hard as you’re able. There are 12 to 15 regulars and all seniors are welcome to come even if you don’t want to eat there. Most people leave about 10 o’clock and come back to lunch if they’re eating there that day.

The Saturday evening bingo has been well attended. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. and all seniors and their guests are welcome. Bring a small gift in a paper bag. Finger food refreshments are shared after the games. On nice evenings lots of people walk…most evenings people can get home before dark.