Hilltowns Senior News for Saturday, December 5, 2015
At my age, I really do not need any more plastic chickens. Or calico ducks, or hiney-waving Santas, or fake-lotus candles. I have a sufficiency of china shepherdesses, and I don’t want to tell you what size I now wear in clothing. Enough, already!
I had occasion to go into one of our nation’s “bargain big-box” stores recently, and experienced something close to culture shock. There was just so much stuff! Layers and layers and tiers and tiers of shiny, bright-colored, tacky, and unnecessary things, all screaming for attention and trying to convince me that they were just what I, or someone near and dear, had to have this holiday season.
Stand down, I say!
Am I immune? Heck, no! I come from a long line of pack rats, and can justify any purchase in three seconds flat. I watch “Hoarders” and “Doomsday Preppers” on TV just to assure myself that I’m not as out of control as they are. But seriously, folks, we need to stop for a minute and look at ourselves.
There are voices of reason amid the insanity, albeit they are in the minority. I just heard about “Giving Tuesday” as a sequel to Black Friday, Small-business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. It encourages us to make a donation to the Red Cross, the SPCA, or some other charity, instead of another beribboned tchotchke.
At the risk of overkill, I’d like to add another to the list: How about “Ten-Mile Thursday”? On that day, any gift you buy has to be purchased within 10 miles of your home. If you want to really be local, limit it to things that were actually made within the 10-mile radius.
For those of us out in the country, it would probably mean simpler gifts, more things made by hand, and perhaps more edibles. There are numerous craft shows coming up; take a short trip, avoid the malls, and see what delights are on display by the hometown folks.
“Artisan” and “homemade” are synonyms; it’s just the fashion that changes. Homemade gifts were given because it was all the pioneers had; they were cash-poor. Only the rich could afford “store-bought,” so that became the ultimate.
Now, we have access to so much cheap merchandise that “artisan” is in, because it costs more in time and skill to produce. Full circle. You don’t have to drive 30 miles and pay outrageous prices in a gourmet shop to have wonderful, quality presents.
It has always been this way, I suspect. We are all so insecure that we need to impress others with our largesse, and have people think better of us because of our show. Royals forbid commoners the use of purple, and ermine; robber barons built multiple lavish houses and summer places, dot-com millionaires have high-tech hideaways, and we spend too much on junk just so we can feel better about ourselves. No one ever died wishing they had bought more stuff.
Holiday doings
And speaking of buying local, the Hilltown Seniors will be having a holiday party at Maple on the Lake on Dec. 12th at 11:30 a.m. Dinner choices are roast beef, stuffed haddock, or turkey. The cost is $10 for members, and $20 for others. Call me at 872-9370 to make a reservation.
The Altamont Seniors party will be at the Elks Club on Carman Road on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Lunch is being provided by the Christmas Angels from the Altamont Senior Center. Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m.
The Rensselaerville Seniors treated themselves to a holiday meal at the Quarry Restaurant on Dec. 1; reports are that a delicious time was had by all.
Lunch
A new nutrition newsletter is available at the Hilltown Senior Center. It includes tips and a recipe every month, and is put together by Denise Kolankowski, the nutritionist at the Albany County Department for the Aging. Denise has been to the lunch program several times already, and has joined us for some tasty meals. The new meal provider is Albany Senior Services, so come check out its culinary expertise.
The lunchtime menu for next week at the Hilltown Senior Center is here. Swap tales with friends, and enjoy a lunch that you don’t have to cook. Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served promptly at noon. As usual, we have games and cards on Monday and Tuesday, and music by Nancy Frueh on Friday.
— Monday, Dec. 7: Baked ziti, tossed salad with romaine, whole-wheat bread, milk, and applesauce;
— Tuesday, Dec. 8: Open-faced turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, whole-wheat stuffing, milk, and vanilla pudding; and
— Friday, Dec. 11: Chicken Florentine, brown rice, California blend vegetables, pineapple juice, whole-wheat bread, milk, and an oatmeal cookie.
Please call 24 hours in advance to 872-9400 to reserve lunch. Email [email protected], or sign up when you come in. Tell us how many are coming, your name, and your telephone number. If you’d just like to come and help out, give Mary Moller a call at 861-6253, or email her at [email protected], and put “volunteer” in the subject line.
Lunches are provided by Helderberg Senior Services, the Albany County Department of Aging, and Senior Services of Albany. The Hilltown Senior Center is located at 1360 Helderberg Trail (Route 443) in Berne.