Our new chef, Nita Greenleaf, prepared a pulled pork dinner last Wednesday. To start there was homemade tomato soup with just the right consistency. The main entrée was accompanied by applesauce, mashed potatoes with gravy and a mix of string beans and carrots. For dessert there was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

A big thank you goes to all the servers and others who help to keep the evenings going smoothly. There are many people behind the scenes who work hard every week. Then there are the servers, both men and women, who make the serving line move quickly. They always wear a smile and have a happy greeting for each diner. The servers last Wednesday were Patty Bridgham, Joan Grondin and Sally Sherman.

We have a menu for August now. It is available to all at the Senior Center and online at our website. Just remember that while food is always important, the main reason to come out to the public suppers is to enjoy the company of others and to be engaged in the community.

We are progressing through summer, and August is upon us. That means that membership dues should be paid by now. If you haven’t renewed as of yet, please do so as soon as possible.

This year August will have five Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Now that may seem special, and for those of you who really like weekends that may seem especially special. You may also have seen email chain letters about it. However Snopes.com points out that “all months with 31 days include five occurrences of three days of the week that follow a simple pattern, which repeats every several years.” Anyway, enjoy the summer weekends.

Some friends of ours came to visit this past weekend. One was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease several years ago. I was shocked to see how far down he has gone. He looks the same, but reason and logic for current things is gone. The past is still there, but it is difficult to look at a friend and not really see the person you use to know. His wife is the caregiver and the strain is beginning to show.

I also had the chance to talk to another person I had not seen in several years. She mention the trials and tribulations that she and her husband had gone through and his eventual death. After that the difficulties continued for her, but now things were finally looking up. She said that she and her husband always knew they would get old but they never expected it would be like this.

That is a very profound thought. Dealing with health, financial and emotional issues can be a tremendous burden. It can be more than we’d ever expect could happen. Friends, family and our peers can help. Senior Centers can also be a big help. They are a place to be around others and get back to some semblance of normalcy at least for a little while. They are not a cure, but they are a small amount of respite care that we all need now and then. Support your local Senior Center.

The cribbage tournament winners on Tuesday, July 22 were Jane LaBreck first, Leonard Foss second, Patty Bridgham third, Dick Grondin low score, and Dick Grondin and Ann Merry tied for the high hand. The cribbage tournament winners on Thursday, July 24 were Dick Grondin first, Dwight Lewis second, Phoebe Cromwell and Linden Simmons tied for third, Gail Thayer low score and Phoebe Cromwell had the high hand.

Public supper next week:

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

Wednesday, Aug. 6: Haddock/mac and cheese.