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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 1984)
Page 6/The Battalion/Wednesday, January 11,1984 Elderly find fellowship, fun in association by Pat Allen Battalion Reporter Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, at 1402 Bristol Dr. in Bryan, senior citizens of Brazos County get together for a little fun, food and fellowship. They’re members of the Bra zos County Senior Citizens Asso ciation, an organization helping the older adults of the commun ity enjoy their lives. “Something has to alleviate the feeling of being alone and growing old,” Willie Belle Bogard, president of the asso ciation, said. ‘‘We provide a place where older people can come for fellowship and use their talents.” The association was orga nized in 1976 by a handful of people who saw the need for such a group in Brazos County. In the beginning, members met in an old medical clinic on W. 28th Street. Now, thanks to Jack Lester Sr., they have a new facility. It’s two years old, worth $1 million, and paid for. Lester wanted to help senior citizens in the county, so he gave the association land for a build ing. He then told the association 5 Other Models Available Aggie Special $550.00 + TTL GET AROUND THE HIGH COST OF GETTING AROUND Aero™ 50 Whether shopping, commuting or just soaking up sun, the Aero’" 50 is the economical way to make it ail fun. A stingy 49cc two-stroke engine gets the most out of every gallon of gas, while still providing plenty of zip. Plus, an electric start, automatic choke and automatic oil injection make it as dependable as it is easy to handle. TWIN CITY HONDA 903 South Main, Bryan 823-0545 he would give $50,000 to the construction fund if tpey would match his donation. “I like giving mor^y to peo ple,” Lester said. “This town needed a place like this for the older people, and Ftp happy I was able to help.” “Jack told us he’cl give us $50,000 and all we had to do was match him,” Mickey McGuire, a member of the association and unofficial groundskeeper said. “So we went out and began raising the money. We had bake sales and yard sales. We also re ceived funds from tpe Brazos County Development Council and several donations from peo ple in the community who really wanted to see a place for senior citizens,” McGuire said- McGuire takes c^re of the landscape and is an all-around handyman for the association. He paints and varnishes cabinets, raises the flags, sweeps the dining room and still finds time to sneak in a game or two of dominoes. “We did all the landscaping ourselves,” he said. “Those pro fessional guys wanted $15,000 to do a job we did foy less than $2,000. We planted 70 shrubs and enough trees to start a forest.” When members gather at their “home away from home,” they begin the afternoon with a covered dish lunch. Everyone brings something to spare. This provides a family-like atmosphere and allows the ladies to show off their favorite recipies. Before the feast begins, visitors aye introduced, and a prayer is given for members who are ijl or absent. After lunch, the fun and games begin. In one room ladies are quilt ing blankets that sell for $150 to $250. In other rooms people are making pottery items, painting china and sewing stuffed anim als. The items are sold in the association’s craft shop, and the money goes into building maintenance. Dewain “Pappy” Wade and friends are in another room in volved in a traditional domino WHY PAY MORE? Buy Used Books and LOUPOT’S BOOKSTORE •' v,-: Northgatc — Across from the Post Office wing. “I was a wreck when I came here and I was really thinking about killing myself,” Murial Stein said. “Everyone here has been so warm and friendly. I needed companionship and I found it here. What 1 get here you can’t get from a doctor. You get back into the habit of living n nnr 4 drive-^ ru l aneS We've out9 Sa f ? 0 n U thanks to you. in College Stat ^ ^ apd a We are parkway 1° 3 . 000 Avenue at So^ommodate new square feet ^ an d loan services, accounts, sa 9 create This new construction^^^, Soon wTerazosBanc Sav^gs. Ill 1 H*" game. “We h#ve a good time here,” Wade said- “We don’t care if we get beat, we’ll keep on grinning. That last game was nip and tuck the whole way. We’re gonna get’em this time.” Lucille Newcomb joined the association in 1981. Her in terests lay in the association’s craft shop, which she manages. “I love doing the quilting and taking care of that shop, but I especially enjoy meeting the people here and making new members feel welcome,” New comb said- “Many of the people here have lost their mate and be gin to feel lonely and unwanted. We try to get them interested in games and crafts. We’re a close family here, just like brothers and sisters.” McGujre said the senior citizens are a group which needs service from the community. He said many of their families have moved and they are left alone. “There’s nothing worse than old people hiding themselves in side,” he said. “We try to keep them living. One lady told me if it wasn’t for this place that some one would have had to lock her up. She came here and was accepted by everyone. Another lady told me she’d be dead from boredom if it wasn’t for this place.” One member might be dead because of suicide if the associa tion hadn’t taken her under its Lucille Newcomb, left, chairman of crafts, and Julia Cross work on a baby doll quilt together. The quilt hanging on the wall behind them is a 1976-81 membership quilt with 225 names. a: ir u BR Texa Tues< repor board of tw miles zone. incidt asked ment Ra direcl said h to Ed Assist for 0 duct ; the Ct the D such i ated. Ra Depar mend Guarc ican fl seas, r “hot j the M the sh again and then you know you're going to make it.” The association also provides its members with activities away from the Bryan-College Station. For example, travel groups are set up among members and friends so that the senior citizens don’t have to travel alone. mimnj sation and ve acts of Owi boats c McGuire said the association accepts as members anyone over 55 years old. He said he believes the youngest member is 62 and that Janies Lang, 95, is the oldest member of the group. “We have about 350 mem bers but the center is available to any senior citizen in the county,” he said. “The National Associa tion of Federal Employees and the Retired Teachers Associa tion use our center for their meetings also.” “Just seeing your friends en joying life and seeing the satis faction you’re bringing to others makes all the hard work worth while,” McGuire said. “What you can do for others is what gives you satisfaction. I get the biggest kick out of helping peo ple. When you start doing things for yourself, well, you’re riding on the wrong boat.” MID on chai withoui Mai drugs i Safety : Mid Friday spokesi arrestei Mrs. while I 'neroin The case an Bill Hughes, Battalion staff “I’m Connie . . the first of the Cotton Patch Kids.” Th ese dolls are for sale in the association^ craft shop, along with pillow cases, and other hand-made crafts. Tired of Renting? Want out of the Dorm? Roomate driving you crazy? Need a housing alternative? If you can say yes to any of these questions, Call Chuck Schmitt at 779-8222 THE BAIT DOES IT DAILY Monday through Friday GAL on Nev improv The last wee day, he Wha! all aftei LaFil fisherm Mari follows Res Now Better Than Ever. You Will Be Pleased With ^ ese ^ are ^ u lly Prepared and Taste Tempting Foods Each Daily Special Only $2.39 Plus Tax “Oper Paily” Dining: 11 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. — 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P-M MONDAY EVENING SPECIAL Salisoury Steak with Mushroom Gravy Whipped Potatoes Your Choice of One Vegetable Roll or. Corn Bread and Butter Coffee or Tea TUESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Mexican Fiesta Dinner Two Cheese and Onion Enchiladas w chili Mexican Rice Patio Style Pinto Beans Tostadas Coffee or Tea One Corn Bread and Butter WEDNESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Chicken Fried Steak w cream Gravy Whipped Potatoes and Choice of one other Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and Bute Coffee or Tea THURSDAY EVENING SPECIAL * “v en *o c ,^' d SERVEDwT-TH^Snirn 9 ! 11 Spa 9 h e«' Dinner Parmesan ChL M -r EAT BALLS AND SA UCE Choice of Salad n ' Tossed Gr een Salad Choice of Salad Dressing — hot Garlic Bread fea or Coffee FOR YOUR PROTtCTHON OUR ppdc-muk,,-, . UR PERSONNEL HAVE HEALTH CARDS. FRIDAY EVENING SPECIAL FRIED CATFISH FILET w TARTAR SAUCE Cole Slaw Hush Puppies Choice of One vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee SATURDAY NOON and EVENING SPECIAL Yankee Pot Roast Texas Style (Tossed Salad) Mashed Potato w gravy Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee SUNDAY SPECIAL NOON and EVENING ROAvST TURKEY DlME R Served with Cranberry Sauce Cornbread Dressing - Roll or Corn Bread - Butter- Coffee or Tea Giblet Gravy And your choice of any One vegetable ASH County wpress Tvposa Dr. V Waste I least tvv< be one U.S. W'ftstioi about 1 Hesa on the i To\ Un- Mice cl Morr Lxas C Tlucatii live spei Little three se n ew chi Uni tyle Station to strike "ednes Thee at a Tyl duri mg a |e Bud duces d< v, Local Worker: ’be arre Justic ’Ron w New Or Thel; c 3ch oil om PORl 0 28,00 ^ichw, board s Lt. Mi ^ moi Theb