Last Saturday I took Ellie’s place and represented the Senior Center at the Town Budget Meeting with the Selectmen and Budget Committee. Ellie is currently on vacation. The two groups reviewed the budgets of each Town Department one by one taking most of the day to complete this task. When they got to the Senior Center they all had a lot of questions and comments. It was good to hear their concerns. I applaud the efforts of both groups to do everything possible to reduce the burden on the taxpayer.

There are some who say that the economy is starting to turn around and get better. However, when you listen to our state, county and town leaders, times are still tough. For some Town employees there will be reduced hours and for others their jobs will be eliminated. For the taxpayers, the tax rate may be going up and pay-per-bag may be implemented at the Transfer Station.

Times are tough and I can understand the Selectmen and Budget Committee desire to cut expenses. The thing that disappointed me at the meeting was that some comments and questions indicated a misunderstanding of what the Senior Center was by the person making the comment or asking the question. That means we have failed to get the Senior Center message out to this group. If we have failed to properly inform this group, have we failed also to properly inform the people we are in business to serve?

Unfortunately that may be the case. We are definitely failing to offer those things that people 50 years old and older want from a Senior Center. Attendance at both the meals and cribbage tournaments are way down. These use to be our big attractions. In the past a Prime Rib dinner would bring out 80 or more people and even once we had over 100. Now if we get 40 we are lucky so obviously this is no longer an attraction.

We need to turn things around from dwindling numbers and doom and gloom to growth, an enjoyable place for seniors to hang-out and a chance for seniors to learn and do interesting and worthwhile things. We need your help. We have to answer the questions raised by the Selectmen and Budget Committee. We have to show that a Senior Center has a place in Wiscasset. Are you willing to help? I leave you with this anonymous rhyme I recently saw.

“Don’t be concerned nor be surprised if what you do is criticized.

For there are always those who usually can

find fault with every plan.

Mistakes are made, we don’t deny,

but only made by folks who try.”

The cribbage tournament on Tuesday, March 19 was canceled because of snow. The cribbage tournament winners on Thursday, March 21 were Dot Kidney first, Arlene Steen second, Ken Colby low score and Ann Merry, Doc Schilke and Linden Simmons tied for the high hand.

Meals for next week

Reservations, please! Call 207-882-8230 at least two days in advance for meal reservations.

Tuesday, April 2 – Lunch, Veggie Pizza

Wednesday, April 3 – Dinner, Fish

Thursday, April 4 – Lunch, Fish & Chips