Our September 13th meeting saw 44 members join us. We were lacking some because of all the activitiesgoing on in the Hilltowns.

We did sing Happy Birthday to Shirley Wright, Roz Moser, Bonnie Conklin, Stephanie and Carl Remmers.

They weren't there, but we sang really loud!!

We hope our shut-ins, Don Moser, Jerry Miller and Peg Filkins are feeling better. Also, we missed the Vinsons this summer.

It was also mentioned that a member of our community, Rick Lyons, passed away.

Helderberg Haven has hired personnel and is ready to receive those adults that would like to get out for the day.

Transportation is provided, along with breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. It is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

We are still working on a meal site and need to get this going within six weeks or we will lose our funding.

Remember there is a food pantry at the Rock Road Chapel. They are always in need of supplies, especially with the fall weather here and winter on the way. Thank you to all that have given for the need is out there.

The bus will be going to Walmart and the Colonie Whole Foods and mall, October 1 and 15.

Call Charlotte at 861-8960 if interested in the AARP defensive driving course.

A trip is planned to the Perthshire in Amsterdam Oct. 30 for a mystery dinner theatre. Also, a trip to Proctors for a quilt show on Oct. 18th. We have a bus, but just found out we can't take it out of the county; will have to check that out.

Frances Miller was honored by the Town of Berne for her many years (in fact, 95) of service to the community. She was brought up on a farm, married a farmer, had nine children and even had time to make ice cream to sell. I wish you could see her closet that is filled with scrapbooks and journals about her life in the Hilltowns. She is certainly a special lady.

Monday, Sept. 22, the seniors are off for a trip to Cape May. Wish I could join them and eat all those crabs they are going to eat.

Have fun!! Say hi to Mikey for me.

Remember: A new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners.

Despite being Mother’s Day weekend, we had 45 people to our meeting. 

Birthday greetings were sung to Roz Moser and Marilyn Nardillio. 

The anniversaries being celebrated for the month of May are Linda and Don McDermott, and Shirley and Scott Wright.   

Sunshine reported that Gladys Bailey is in St. Peter’s Hospital.

The parade committee reported that plans are going nicely. We are to meet the Sunday before Memorial Day at 1:30 p.m. to put it all together. Hope to see a big turnout. We have never done this before, so it should be fun?

Mary O’Hanlon announced that she would be willing to do a CPR course for seniors depending on the interest. Also, the Tai Chi classes are fun, fun, fun and also beneficial. I am going to hold a night course, so if interested call.

Silver Slippers is offered at your local Y and your secondary insurance will be responsible for it. We should take advantage of these free offerings. 

Pastor Wendy said the Berne Public Library will be holding a photography program titled, Photos on the

Run.

Group trips

The trip committee reported that the Beeches trip on June 19 could use more people. This is always

a fun trip with the show and buffet. We have learned to eat the dessert first. Also, the July 17 trip to Herkimer for the ride on the Erie Canal has openings. Our trip in September to Cape May is filling nicely. Call to make your reservations. This is Sept. 22-24. Lots of activities are being planned. Call 872-2448 for further information.

Senior activities

There is plenty to do out there for seniors. One of our seniors, Tom Smith, belongs to the Depot Singers.

This group puts on a show in the spring and winter. This was my first time at one of their performances and it was excellent. Hopefully, for the winter show we can get a group to go and enjoy the talents of our community.

Great job, Tom!

Quote for the week:  Laughter doesn’t require teeth!

Our April 12, meeting of the Hilltowns Seniors was packed, as we had to make room for more.

They must of heard of the great time we were going to have.

We started off by singing happy-birthday to Elsie Turon; she will be glad when this birthday is over. We also sang to Claudia Nedesky, Fred Wilms and Jim Croote. Then we sang happy-anniversary to Dave and Claudia Nedesky. Dave missed the first singing, so we had to do it again. A get-well card was sent to Gladys Bailey.

The trip to Corning Glass was discussed with everyone having a good time. Some of the girls made pendants and showed off their finished product. Everyone agreed that the blowing glass demonstration was their favorite. It was amazing to see a beautiful bowl made in fifteen minutes.

The only disappointment was that a lot of the dishes and ornaments they had for sale were from China.

Our next trips to the Glen House and The Beaches are filling up nicely. 

We are still looking for someone to do the anniversary dinner. Also, the June meeting needs a kitchen committee. 

It was announced that 14 people from our organization attended the Senior Expo in Albany. They found it very interesting and came away with some new ideas and a full stomach.

Our entertainment was the arrival of the Easter Bunny with a basket filled with goodies. Thank you, Jessica for helping us out. Jessica is a student from Berne-Knox-Westerlo that volunteers for parties for kids of all ages. 

Also, we read a poem about baseball and sang, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, followed by an egg tossing contest won by Ruth Snyder. Come to find out, Ruthie played softball for Schoharie High School. 

Don’t forget the NEAT dinner April 21.

I wondered why the Frisbee was getting bigger and then it hit me!

Our February meeting had a lot of activity going on. I think it was just getting out of the house and seeing everyone put smiles on all our faces.

 Our vice-president, Jonathan Wood, finally got our attention to quiet down and start the meeting.

I must say we have the best looking vice-president. Anyway, he invited a member of the attorney general’s office to show us a Power Point presentation about scams. That really got our attention and before we knew it an hour was up. We invited him back to continue his talk.

There is some talk about having a community showing. I hope that it happens, because this is all available information for everyone to know.

Next, we had a short meeting with a mention of a trip to Corning Glass, on April 8. If we get enough people to sign-up, we will be given a voucher towards lunch. On the way home we will be stopping at Brooks. The cost is $45 for members and $50 for non-members. Contact Shirley Slingerland if you are interested.

If you look at the calendar for the month of February there are a lot of things going on. I had made up some games. We had a Valentine’s word scrambled, sang a song about Ground Hog’s Day, a quiz about the Super Bowl for the women, and questions about Presidents Washington and Lincoln.

So, I asked what else was special about February and Alyce said it was her birthday. And, it was also Jean Wright and Doris Skinner’s birthdays. So we sang them a hardy birthday greeting. Then it was mentioned that it was my and Bill’s 48th anniversary and John Rossman announced that it was his and Millie’s 56th that day. Millie you know what I am thinking. So, we also sang happy anniversary.

But, there was one more thing and that was the Olympics. So I had Mike Vincent, Ed Wood, and Bob Porter come up front. They had to toss a bag of candy through a hole in a cardboard box. Bob got the gold, Ed the silver and Mike the bronze. And I gave them a kiss on each cheek. Isn’t that what they do at the ceremonies? Anyway, it was a great time.

Our next meeting will be at the Berne Reform Church (the white church on the hill) for corned beef and cabbage. So, wear your green everyone and I will try to think of some Irish things to do.

Remember we meet the 2nd Saturday of the month at the Berne Senior Center, unless told otherwise.

I am mixed up with the bus schedule right now, so I will get back to you on that.

Skip Skinner had another story, but it was too long for me to write down. Something about a big toe and a “toe” truck.

Stay warm and have you noticed that it is staying lighter out at night, yea!!