Giving Thanks
CABOT — Rose Marie Meyer set down white tiles until she revealed her winning hand.
“It's great,” said Meyer of Saxonburg about the game of mahjong she played during the Thanksgiving celebration. “Especially a week before Thanksgiving so you're not turkeyed out.”
The South East Senior Center, 200 Brose Road, Cabot, was one of the Butler County Senior Centers that had a Thanksgiving celebration ahead of the holiday for the senior citizens.
About 30 seniors laughed and shared in conversation, while others played mahjong, UNO and board games.
Across the room, N-40, I-28 and O-71 rang in the holiday spirit. Handmade turkeys filled with chocolate candies were the bingo prize of the day.
Celebrations give the seniors a chance to have company over the holidays, said Janet Fortino, center manager of about a year.“Some don't have family and we're they're family,” Fortino said. “It's all about socializing.”Although the day began with dessert first, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn and cranberry sauce were on the menu, Fortino said.The special meal leaves the senior center attendees stuffed, Meyer said.
“They always have a special meal for the holidays, which is nice,” said Dorothy Brooks of Saxonburg.The Thanksgiving holiday is a time for thanks.“It means having family around, that's the biggest thing for me — my family,” Meyer said.Whether it's a holiday or not, people flock to the senior center for its activities, she said.“The holiday is a bonus,” Brooks said. “I'm thankful for all God has given us — friends, family.”
