There were three important news items coming out of the Wiscasset Senior Center last week. Each should be of great interest to all members and friends of the Senior Center.

The first was that at the public supper last Wednesday, the Wiscasset Senior Center Scholarship Fund, Inc., presented the annual scholarship award to Brandon Williams of Wiscasset, a 2013 graduate of Wiscasset High School.

Arlene Polewarczyk, a member of the Scholarship selection committee, presented the $1,000 scholarship. Brandon is planning to attend the University of Maine's Forestry Management courses at Fort Kent.

Brad is the 10th Wiscasset High School graduate to receive a Scholarship check since the program began in 2004. Wiscasset Senior Center members, neighbors and friends fund these scholarships.

The Wiscasset Senior Center Scholarship Fund, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization and as such accepts tax-deductible donations and memorial gifts from the greater Wiscasset community. Scholarships are awarded annually to a Wiscasset High School graduate pursuing further training in a “hands-on” type of career.

The second major news item was that Ken Perry, Senior Center chef, and the Senior Center, represented by the Trustees, have agreed to part company at the end of this fiscal year. Ken will still prepare the breakfast at the Wiscasset Senior Center Membership Meeting to be held on Saturday, June 29. We will miss Ken and his friendly attitude. We wish him the best in all future endeavors.

The trustees have appointed a small committee to look into what possibilities are available to provide meals in the future. This committee will report back to the trustees soon with a proposal for going forward. At that point a selection committee may be formed to interview potential candidates for providing meals at the Senior Center. There are many possibilities for reducing costs by making changes to the process of providing meals. As a starting basis one lunch and one dinner per week will be the goal.

The third major news item was that Ellie Tracy, Trustee Chairman, has publicly made it known that she will not accept the position of Chairman in the next fiscal year. The position of chairman is determined at the start of the fiscal year by the current board of trustees. The membership vote for trustees then the trustees decides who will take on the leadership duties.

Being chairman is not a difficult job and should be a fun and meaningful job to whoever takes it. The biggest downside of the job is that it consumes a lot of time. The chairman has a good deal of authority to delegate jobs but like all CEO jobs the buck stops at the desk of the chairman.

Ellie has done a fantastic job over the last two difficult years and has guided the Senior Center through some unusual challenges. Ellie has implemented many new things such as the Coffee Break Meetings to get more members involved with the running of the Senior Center. However, during the third year of her term she wants to reduce her time commitment to the Senior Center.

Next Wednesday will not be a potluck dinner. The entrée will be vegetable lasagna. After dinner there will be an open discussion meeting. All members are urged to attend and give their opinions on the future of the Senior Center.

The cribbage tournament winners on Tuesday, May 14 were Earl Dighton first, Keith Bridgham second, Ron Bodge third, Leol Corson low score and Keith Bachelder, Jean Lannan and Arlene Steen tied for the high hand. The cribbage tournament winners on Thursday, May 16 were Ann Merry first, Larry Rines second, Patty Bridgham low score and Pam Frenier had the high hand.

Meals for next week

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

Wednesday, May 29 – Dinner, veggie lasagna

Thursday, May 30 – Lunch, seafood chowder