Ruth Applin, a longtime Wiscasset Senior Center member, celebrated her 98th birthday last week. Back when we used to serve lunches on Mondays and Thursdays, Ruth was always there to sign everyone in and take their money for lunch. If you were on “Ruth’s List,” her handwritten list of lunch reservations, you had a standing reservation.

Ruth always sat at the desk located at the far end of the dining room. Should you get distracted before making it back to her desk to pay her, she would come and get you. I was guilty of that several times. Ruth would diplomatically remind me of that fact before lunch was served. She took our money, but was also one of the most pleasant of greeters ever to be at the senior center. The lunches are no longer served, but Ruth is still going strong and enjoying life. Happy birthday, Ruth.

This coming Saturday, April 25, the twice yearly medication/drug take back day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations will be at the town office in Boothbay Harbor, Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, the Sproul Block in Waldoboro, Sheepscot Valley Health Care in Whitefield, and Lincoln County Communications building in Wiscasset. Once again this medication take-back day is sponsored by the Lincoln County TRIAD and supported by the local Lincoln County law enforcement agencies. This is your opportunity to keep unwanted drugs out of the environment and out of the hands of drug abusers.

Don’t throw unwanted drugs in the garbage or flush them down the drain. If you find that you have unwanted drugs at other times of the year, there is a collection box at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and is available during normal business hours. Other local police departments will also assist you in getting rid of unwanted drugs.

After I wrote about my trip through the medical facilities in the area, several people told me of their recent medical experiences. While my trip might have been a bit dramatic, it was a “walk in the park” compared with some others, however, the bottom line was the same. We have some excellent medical facilities in the area manned by skilled employees. These facilities create a positive economic impact on the area. They support good paying jobs for many while offering volunteer opportunities for others. We all get to enjoy life as it should be based in part by these excellent medical facilities.

The cribbage tournament winners on Tuesday, April 14 were Duane Lewis first, Leol Corson and Linden Simmons tied for second, Della Hilton low score and Larry Rines had a 28 for the high hand. The cribbage tournament winners on Thursday, April 16 were Robbie Greenleaf first, Earl Dighton second, Stuart Wyman third Luis Serrano low score and Robbie Greenleaf the high hand.

You’ll notice that my name is not listed among the winners at the cribbage tournaments. But I was a winner along with everyone else because of the “goodies” brought in by several players. Della brought in some date swirl cookies. Now those were fantastic. Not too sweet and full of flavor with the dates swirled around the center. Arlene brought in homemade brownies. At times there have been cinnamon rolls, candy, fudge, muffins, donut holes, cheese and crackers, cake, etc. Yes, sometimes cribbage does get in the way of sampling good things to eat.

The next public supper, Wednesday, April 29, will feature roast beef. Please call 207-882-8230 at least two days in advance for meal reservations.