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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 1988)
At Ease/7 by Leslie Guy The announcement of a country music special in the main lobby booms over the public announcement system and echoes down the long halls. Anxious spectators gradually drift in to listen to the strumming of the guitar, the humming of the harmonica and the pleasant sound of a man's voice. This musician is Paul Santi, a graduate student in geology at Texas A&M. and he devotes 30 to 45 minutes every Tuesday night to providing the residents at the Brazos Valley Geriatric Center with a night of joy and entertainment. “When I’m playing, they are usually quiet and not emotional." Santi says. “When 1 leave, they are so grateful and are anxious for me to come back. They are very sincere, and 1 can see right then that they appreciate it (the playing).” The music he selects is a collection of the favorites of both Santi and the residents, and includes songs by Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot and artists from the 40s and 50s. “A lot of the music I select is older country and stuff they’d like,” Santi says. “1 go through phases. I liked Neil Young a lot. Now I play a lot of Gordon Lightfoot because he has such thoughtful lyrics. " When he does play a familiar song, some residents respond by smiling, tapping their feet or singing along. Even though Santi usually can’t hear them over the guitar and his own voice, he is pleased that they are participating. “I don’t always hear them, but I can see them mouthing the words ' he says. “It is so neat to see that. 1 mark that song in my mind to be sure to play again. " Edna Dees, one of the center's residents, thinks Santi is wonderful, and she sings along to the familiar parts of songs such as “Red River Valley." In addition, she always claps at the conclusion of each selection, prompting a cheerful thank you from the performer. This is like a concert or social event for them,” Santi says “They are easy to please and appreciate me being there.” The performances at the center began last fall, but Santi’s love of guitar began five years ago when he was an undergraduate at Duke University in Durham. N.C. Santi had always wanted to play the guitar, so his brother gave him one for Christmas one year. His roommate taught Santi a few chords, and he learned the rest by practice and trial and error. Aside from the volunteer work he does at the center. Santi has had few concerts. He has played at a club in Durham, a restaurant and bar in his native Houston and the Sunset Grill in College Station. While he was in N.C.. he added harmonica accompaniment after determining that some songs sounded better with it. Playing the guitar provides a nice outlet for Santi after a hard day of studying or a strenuous test. “It is relaxing for me and I think it has the same effect on others. " Santi says. Santi says he felt a strong desire to be involved in some type of social action. He considered doing work at the Twin Cities Mission or playing his music in a nursing home, and finally chose to work at the geriatric center. “I didn’t know if people did this or if it was accepted. ” Santi by Leslie Guy How are you going to support yourself when you retire or if you are suddenly disabled? The answer to this question may lie in the hands of the U.S. government, but for now. people can depend on Social Security to help them survive. The fate of this program is constantly being discussed by politicians and citizens alike, and no one is really certain what the future of Social Security holds. Most people in the work force are currently paying money into Social Security, and most would like to reap the benefits they deserve upon reaching retirement age. Most Texas A&M students will probably not receive Social Security benefits for many years, but this week At Ease asked them what they think the future holds for this government funded program. While most students believe there will be some form of aid available when they do retire, they aren’t all sure if the money taken out of their paychecks now will be returned through Social Security or some other program at a later time. “I think social security will continue to exist.” Jeff says. “I was visiting an aunt and uncle in Idaho and they encouraged it. I know I can t save the world, but I can use my talent to be involved in one aspect (of helping people). ” He especially enjoys this work because “when I mess up they either don’t know or don’t care. “They don't expect a lot. so I can go in and have fun” he says. Bettie Lewis and Caroline Silvey, two residents at the center, both enjoy the performances, and Lewis especially enjoys church songs. Silvey says the music reminds her of her father’s fiddle tunes. Santi chooses each night’s repertoire from about 50 or 60 songs. However, even if he played the same 10 songs every week, the residents would still be happy, he says. Also, audience requests are vital to the growth of his Pepper, a senior accounting major, says. “But as the Baby Boom generation gets up there in age, the government will have to increase taxes. ” Craig Bertrand, a senior management major, does not believe the system is going downhill. However, the money is changing hands. “The money I pay in won’t come back to me. ” Bertrand says. “When I get old enough to receive it. the people paying at that time will give it to me. ” Freshman aerospace engineering major Maurice Griffin believes some type of benefits should be available when a person reaches retirement age. “Social Security is necessary for people when they retire, ” Griffin says. “You can’t support yourself without it and other retirement benefits. ” Some students, such as freshman secondary education major Christy Voges, would like to see some changes by the time she is eligible for benefits. “I hope it will become more stable for my sake, ” Voges says. “I hope they will have better benefits. ” Janice Riggs, a senior journalism major, also hopes collection. “One lady always asks for the Tennessee Waltz.’ but I can t find it anywhere. ” he says. “One day I will though. They really enjoy the ‘Yellow Rose of Texas’ and a hundred other songs I don’t know. ” Santi believes the rewards from this type of service are numerous, but he would like to spend more time talking to the residents and getting to know them better. “When they come to listen to me play, they have just come out of dinner. ” he says. “They sit for a few minutes and then retire to their rooms. I would like to spend more time with them and enjoy their company.” Santi believes everyone should do some type of volunteer work, similar to his. but it does not necessarily have to include visiting the elderly. “I think people get tied up in the government will make some improvements in the current program. “I expect to get benefits, but I think I will have to do something on the side to help support my family,” Riggs says. “As a social program. I hope it improves and more people can rely on it. ” David Walter, a junior environmental design major, is sure that Social Security will last because the government is taking in as much money as they are paying out. He says as long as they follow the same procedure “it will always be around.” Freshman Michelle Donahue, an English major, also believes the system will last, mainly because the government does not know of another program to replace it. Some students are concerned that the system will fail before they ever receive any money. Although their reasons differ, they agree that its fate is uncertain. Grace Hernandez, a junior English major, believes government actions may lead to the end of Social Security by the time she will need it. “I’m not sure it will be in existence by then.” Hernandez says. “Because of the deficit, Congress will have “I think people get tied up in seeing all the things they can do for others that they don’t do anything.” — Paul Santi, graduate student seeing all the things they can do for others that they don’t do anything,” Santi says. “If you can t decide what to do, just pick one thing and do it. It’s nof a big commitment and it's definitely worthwhile. I’d recommend it to anyone. ’ to eliminate some solid programs, possibly Social Security.” Voges says with all the cutbacks, she is scared the government will consider eliminating this program, an action she believes would be wrong. Curtis Calk, a junior accounting major, has read some things about the system he does not think are right and he believes the future of Social Security does not look good. Junior economics major Dane Jones is skeptical about the future as well, but he hopes it will be around later. “{hope it holds pretty good until I start collecting, with as much as I’ve paid into it already,” Jones says. “But the way things are going, it looks like the program may get cut out altogether. ” Robert Hanson, a senior engineering technology major, questions the amount of money which will be left when he retires. He foresees a shortage of funds and says the future of Social Security looks dim. “Itdoesn't look good. ” Hanson says.“The people taking now didn’t pay as much into it, so it doesn't seem like there will be enough for everybody. ” Q/MlOMA What do you think of Social Security's future?