Letter to the Editor

Friday, September 12, 2014

Ruth, Our ‘Happy Days’ Disciple

The Bible has Ruth in the New Testament. However, we in Lyons have Ruth Cole at Happy Days. Someone came up with the perfect name for our Senior Center as ‘Happy Days’. We probably have one of the best Senior Centers in the country.

Under the Direction of Ruth — and her helpers, Dee and Elaine, we have meals that are excellent, good tasting and healthy. It is an atmosphere of friends enjoying a good meal together and other fun activities. Our Happy Days provide the following:

• Good healthy meals
• Fun times with neighbors and friends
• Card games (like pitch) and bingo
• Health education tips and Services
• Exercise programs
• Valet services — for the older people who have trouble getting around, Ruth helps them into the room; and then parks their car. When they are ready to go home, she retrieves their car and helps them safely to their car.
• Ruth even checks up on someone if they do not show up for lunch (to make sure they are OK!)
• Community support — we have fantastic support from the Lyons Community. Contributions and support for our special events, donations of foods from their garden — as well as monetary donations.
• Story telling by Mary Frittz.
• Music for birthdays and special times like Saint Patrick’s Day (by Anne Anderson and Dorothy Moore)
• Meals on Wheels for Lyons and Bancroft
• Humor by Laurene and others

When I moved to Lyons, 2 ½ years ago, I was told that their food was good and the price was very reasonable. That is certainly true. But I never relized, how enjoyable it is living in rural America.

By Bruce Hunkins