Janet Rentko For The Times
I got to bingo in La Vista on October 14th. Once again, it was great to see and chat with my friends there.
In addition, I won a dollar and Deb Scott my driver won 50 cents. Again, people were so happy to see me and so encouraging when they asked me how I felt and I honestly told them.
When you’re home alone and feeling down, it’s so easy to think about giving up. When you talk to people who have been through it and are now enjoying life, it makes me feel good – at least it makes me.
It was nice to see Jan Cline and Joe Bloemer again. Jan said “don’t give up”, and Evelyn said she likes my hair and noticed how fast it’s growing.
Kaily, senior services manager at La Vista, said we will have a special Medicare bingo on Friday, November 4th at 1:00 pm A representative from Medicare will give a short talk and then we will play bingo . There are good prizes instead of money, and we don’t have to pay to play.
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This month’s craft classes will be working on Thanksgiving and fall themed items.
I am amazed at the cool things they come up with to work with. I never thought when I heard they were starting a craft class that they would make such beautiful things. You can see a sample on the shelf near the main desk at the La Vista Senior Center.
At home I have a collection of various items. My favorite is my yellow dog with a black tail and furry ears that is made of golf balls. He sits by my computer while I work.
Check the La Vista Senior Activities Calendar for class dates and times and many other events. Call 402-331-3455 to get on the mailing list.
Kaily did some remodeling in the kitchen, adding some pictures to the wall. She hung up on me with a group of friends on St. Patrick’s Day. It was my first time back, and – despite the turban to cover my then-baldness – we were all so happy to be together again.
I heard from Marge O’Reilly. Her youngest great-grandson, Everett Robert O’Reilly, arrived 6 weeks early and spent 3 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. He is now up to 6 pounds 6 ounces. Marge met him and was delighted to see this red headed baby so content with life.
Tom and Carolyn Sullivan enjoyed five fun-filled days at Mahoney State Park. Family and friends came to visit. The weather was beautiful; they spent a lot of time outside playing games and walking (a total of 37 miles).
They went to some fun boutiques in Ashland and Louisville, an amazing three-quarter mile Pumpkin Light Walk one evening. It was beautiful and put on by the company that does the Christmas show at Werner Park.
Jan Bailey and her sons enjoyed a nice day and headed to Des Moines to visit family they hadn’t seen in a long time. They enjoyed pizza and salad and just being together again.
Mary and Anthony Perry enjoyed a mysterious bus ride. Their first stop was Union Orchards for donuts and fresh apple jam. They then headed south to Nebraska City and the Lewis and Clark Museum, where they saw a replica of their boat.
Lunch was at Kimmel Orchard, then they went down to Brownville and the Whiskey Run Winery to sample some fine wines. They ended with a visit to the Museum of Folk Art in a small renovated church. It was a very interesting collection of items that the owner had collected from his travels around the country.
After a two-year hiatus, Ralston High School is resuming its Thanksgiving lunch for seniors. It will be Tuesday, November 15, at 11 a.m. in the school auditorium. Entertainment is provided by the high school’s instrumental and vocal music programs.
Ralston will soon be celebrating the Magic of the Holidays. The Ralston Archives Museum will be open from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday, November 27th. It is located on the northeast corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Park Drive.
Don’t forget Trinity United Methodist Church Soup and Pie on Tuesday, November 8th from 11am to 7pm
The Ralston Senior Center serves lunch every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., and starting today lunch will cost $5.
Lunch was delayed on October 19. They started bingo and broke up when lunch came. The delivery lady had a minor accident on the way. There are no major injuries. Some decided to pack their lunch and take it home.
In bingo, Joan Piatt and Virginia Hilbers were multiple winners. Eighteen people received flu shots courtesy of Eric from Walgreen’s.
On November 9, the menu will be fish sandwich, coleslaw and pudding. On November 16, it will be cheeseburgers, macaroni salad and applesauce. Call Diane West 402-885-8895 to make your reservation.
Seventy-two seniors enjoyed St. Gerald Friends at Q Senior Group Soup and Pie on 19th October. They serve chili, chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles, and beef. It took seconds and, by the end of the evening, all the chicken noodle soup was gone. I got a takeout order and had chili on Wednesday and chicken noodle soup on Saturday.
Their next event will be an anniversary/birthday party on Wednesday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. The meal will be lasagna and cupcakes. Reservations are required by November 14th and can be placed in the collection basket at the church or taken to the church office. For information call Pat 402-657-6676 or Alice 402-496-4526.
The Senior Carnival at the La Vista Senior Center was held on October 19th from 10:00am to 2:00pm, with seventy-five seniors from Ralston, La Vista and Papillion participating.
There were various games and prizes, lunch, snacks, chips and drinks were served. There were snacks, popcorn and cotton candy. Rita Guenette had fun and came home with four awards. It’s amazing the fun activities they create at that senior center.
That same day, I had an appointment with my doctor. Being on this chemo break is great. My energy is back, my hoarseness is gone, my appetite is back and I’m enjoying life again.
I had the energy to stop at Walgreen’s to pick up a few things that were on sale, pick up my prescription, and pick up my third COVID booster.
Then, since I had fasted, I asked Mary Jo, my driver, if we could stop at Sojourn to eat. My favorite waitress, Tyra, was there and said “she’s back”. After my sandwich and a fresh hot coffee, Tyra asked me if I wanted a cheesecake. I didn’t have room, but after learning that it was cheesecake from New York, I decided to take a piece home.
Brad, the chef and owner, makes a different cheesecake every week. Tyra introduced me to blueberries first, then I had a piece of chocolate cheesecake and then New York. I don’t have a favorite; they are all very good.
The funny part is after 33 years of being a weight watcher and writing down everything that pops into my mouth, it’s a strange but nice experience to be able to eat cheesecake guilt free. It’s 18 points per slice, if you’re curious.
Thanks for all your comments, input and encouragement. You know how to reach me.
