October 10, 2019
ESC Annual Meeting
We had about 65 people join us for our annual meeting this year. It was nice to start out the program with some singing and a nice prayer that the seniors helped me present. Things went so well I think we will plan on doing a program again in the future.
Very proud of our accomplishments for the year and our great staff and volunteers who made it all possible. I am so excited about what is in store in the future. I am grateful and thankful that you have invited me into your family. Working at the Ecumenical Senior Center has been a great experience. If you get a chance, stop down and see what all the excitement is about.
August 27, 2019 Wii Bowling Tournament- Round One
Had a great day today with lots of terrific energy. It was fun to watch. . . We are playing this week for the best of two bowling scores. So far the leaders are: Charlene 190, Lou 170, Smitty 144, Winnie 139 and Lo at 135.
Round Two will be on Thursday and the last chance to get highest game. Prizes to first and second place. On a funny note, we had an hour for people to practice this afternoon and Charlene got 10 strikes in a row and a score of 279. Wow! I want her on my team - too bad it was for practice.
August 23rd
Active Friday - practicing for our Wii Bowling Tournament for next Tuesday and Thursday. Great fun and great exercise. I love seeing everyone being engaged and having fun. And of course there is always an active game of cards going on!
August 22, 2019
A pretty great day today . . .
It started out with a terrific breakfast made and served by our volunteer Tiffany and her husband Terrence.
We received some great donations, had a terrific board meeting, had an active and fun exercise time and welcomed back an old friend safe and sound. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization. I encourage you to stop on down and see what all the excitement is about. While you're at it - bring a friend along -you may find you might not want to leave . . .
August 8, 2019 - Back from a week vacation - glad to have some time off to relax but also glad to be back. It was nice to come back to an email about another donation of computers from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. I am looking forward to working these laptops into a classroom setting where our seniors can have a computer for themselves. Many thanks to Karen Racette, Controller at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for thinking of us. kalfound.org.
July 26, 2019 Another Successful Community Fish Fry . . .
I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting our community fish fry. I continue to be amazed at how my staff and volunteers pull off this quarterly event without a hitch. I am so grateful for their hard work in preparing the food days prior to the event and then the efficiently manner in which we serve 150 meals.
I am not sure that people know how much goes into this event and I for one was exhausted afterwards. I can't thank my staff and volunteers enough - you all knocked it out of the park again!!!
July 19, 2019
So pleased to receive a check today in the mail from our friends from Perrigo Company. Thanks so much for the $5,000 grant from the Perrigo Company Charitable Fund. We are so grateful for the community support we receive - we couldn't do what we do without you.
July 19, 2019 Blackjack Tournament
Had a great time again with our blackjack tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019. We had 10 seniors join us for the fun and just about everyone did well. We started out with 30 chips each and after an hour and a half, Winnie was the winner with 59 chips. There was only one person who had less than they started with and everyone else had between 50-59 chips. I don't want to brag about my teaching skills . . . but that is pretty darn good.
We had so much fun we did it again on Friday. Winners on Thursday: Winnie and John and Winner on Thursday: Wanda and Emma.
July 18, 2019
We were able to get a portion of the back parking lot paved today. We were not able to complete the entire project but we were able to paved the worst portion in the front of the door where we see the most traffic. This will make it safer for our seniors to enter the building. I will continue to look for funding to complete the remaining portion of the parking lot.
July 17, 2019
Artists in the House - you should come and see the beautiful work being done at the center. James is generally painting during the day on Tuesdays. Here is a picture of James and Pat showing off one of their masterpieces.
July 9, 2019
We had a great trip to Essenhaus:
Loaded the bus and headed to Indiana to experience the wholesome lifestyle of the Amish. The lunch was served family style and all you could eat. I overhead a senior say that the "chicken was off the chain!" Lots of smiles getting off the bus and sharing homemade pastries and treasures from the gift shops.
June 28, 2019
Another great day at the center. I am happy to report that we received a grant from the Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation for $5,000 for general operating support. I am so grateful for the community support for Ecumenical Senior Center - we couldn't do what we do without this generous support. Thank you!
June 28, 2019
Black Jack Tournament
We had to bring out extra tables today because we had so many people joining the fun. I gave everyone a set number of chips and we played for exactly one hour. I was able to give instruction and assistance as we went so that everyone could participate even if they were new to the game. Everyone was allowed to bet two chips per hand unless they doubled down. Everyone had a great time. Barb F won (again) with a total of 36 chips and Pat came in second with with 32 chips. The least amount of chips was 14 but I'm not going to tell you who (lol). The winner today was able to draw a prize and Barb won a certificate for $15 off our next senior trip to Essenhaus.
Our next Black Jack Tournament is scheduled for Thursday, July 18, 2019. I think that we will let people bet up to 5 chips per round which should make things much more interesting. Plan to join us on July 18th at 12:30 p.m.
June 25, 2019
Started the day with lively chair exercises and ended the day with an enthusiastic game of bowling on the Wii.
June 20, 2019 Gun Lake Casino Trip
We had another great senior trip to Gun Lake Casino today with more than 70 individuals in attendance. We had lots of fun and lots of food at the buffet.
June 7, 2019 Golf Tournament at the Center
I just found this picture of our Golf Tournament from last month. I introduced the group to a new game called Golf where you work to make pairs and the lowest score wins. Our friends from WMU added some updates and now the seniors are hooked. We had to bring out extra long tables to accommodate everyone. As you can see, we take our cards very seriously!
May 23, 2019
Coffee with the Cops
We want to thank David Juday, Sergeant of the Kalamazoo Community Policing Unit for joining us today with our Coffee with the Cops. We had a great time and were able to ask questions and learn about issues related to seniors in our community. The best part was that the officers stayed for another two hours and spent one to one time with our seniors. What a great group of men. We are so proud of what you do and please know that you are always welcome at the Ecumenical Senior Center.
