theBridge
NORTH WHIDBEY’S 50-PLUS CROWD
LIFE . HEALTH . HAPPINESS
COPING WITH HOLIDAY STRESS Please join us on March 16 from 10 to 11 am for an informative workshop by Sande Crank-Mulkey, Regency on Whidbey. We’ll discuss helpful tips and questions to ask when selecting a facility for yourself or a loved one. Gathering information is an important part in making this important decision. Come and bring a friend!
CARIBBEAN & PANAMA CANAL CRUISE Need something to look forward to next Spring? Think Caribbean! Think 11-Day Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal Sunfarer Cruise! The date is April 9 - 20, 2012. The Ship is Holland American MS Zuiderdam. The Itinerary begins and ends in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Ports include the Bahamas, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Gatun Lake at the Panama Canal, and Costa Rica. If this is just what you need to get you through the winter doldrums, plan to attend an informational meeting at the Oak Harbor Senior Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 1 pm in the Day Break building next to the Senior Center. For questions and/or to sign up for the meeting, please call 675-4201(leave message) or the senior center at 279-4580.
WE SERVE, BECAUSE THEY SERVED “We Serve, Because They Served” is the annual fundraising auction benefiting community service and veterans assistance programs. The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars invites the community to attend a fun evening of unique and valuable items. A silent and live auction will be featured, offering gift items, collectibles, and more. Tickets are sold at the door, Saturday Nov. 5, beginning at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $5 per person and include a delicious buffet of appetizers, desserts and other delights. For information, please email hannolds@comcast.net, or call 675-2338. The VFW Post is located at 3037 Goldie Road, Oak Harbor.
VETERAN’S BENEFITS On Nov. 10 at 2:30 pm Regency on Whidbey will host a Veteran’s Benefit Meeting; detailed information will be presented concerning eligibility requirements. On Friday, Nov. 11, from 9:30-11 am you will have the opportunity to make an appointment for a private, consultation to determine your benefit eligibility. Call Sande for more information, 1-360-279-0933 ... More on Page 3
November 2011 | Vol. 3 | Issue 7
North Whidbey community Thanksgiving dinner
T
he 10th Annual North Whidbey Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Elks Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 24 from 11 am to 5 pm. This annual community dinner started when friends Keith Bartlett and Jack Stiltz wanted to provide an old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner for people. Three years before the first dinner, Keith and Jack discussed the challenges, if they could get enough help and if people were interested. The response from that first year was remarkable. Even though Keith is no longer with us, Jack and a host of key volunteers continue to provide what has become a yearly tradition for
families and individuals in our community. The dinner serves more than 3,000 people every year. Local businesses and individuals are generous in donating food, flowers, and money to cover the costs of the meals. A team of about 20 to 30 cooks and food handlers start anywhere from 4 to 6 am preparing hams, turkeys, smokers and roasters for the day. Other volunteers serve, carve, cut, prepare, set-up and clean. Many hands make light work. No means of transportation? Volunteers are available to bring people to and from the dinner. Besides the meal at the Elks Lodge, a team of about a hundred volunteers deliver meals for those unable to attend due to sickness or disabilities. Meals are delivered to people working that day. No one should go without a Thanksgiving meal. Besides turkey and ham, there are a variety of appetizers, traditional sides, beverages, and a dessert buffet not to be passed up. (Remember, there are no calories on holidays!). Everyone gets to enjoy a good, home-cooked meal. It’s wonderful to see the community come together and enjoy an old fashioned Thanksgiving with family and friends. The dinner is free and donations accepted. Everyone is welcome. To volunteer, have a home delivered meal or request transportation, call 675-9909.
2nd annual children’s book drive “A book is a present, that you can open again and again.” ~ Mary Englebreit The Friends of The Library and The Oak Harbor Senior Center are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Children’s Holiday Book Drive. From now until December 14 we will accept new and gently used books for children. Books do not necessarily need to be about the holidays. The books will be distributed to Hand-In-Hand Early Learning Center Head Start at the Clover Valley Elementary School. The goal is to give every child possible a book of their own, and encourage a love for reading. Books open doors to new worlds. Books may be dropped off at the Oak Harbor Senior Center. The “National Commemorative Candle Lighting Ceremony” is an event Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, to remember and honor Americans who have been or will be affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Home Place Special Care Center will join organizations around the nation holding inspirational ceremonies on the same day, uniting individuals from coast to coast as they light “Candles of Care”. This ceremony is held each November in recognition of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. A short ceremony will be held at 5:30 pm on Sunday, Nov. 13 with music, light refreshments and gathering to follow at HomePlace Special Care Center, 171 SW 6th Avenue, Oak Harbor. 360-279-2555.
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Celebrating those we love A time to remember Hospice of the Northwest invites you to, a gathering to honor and celebrate the lives of your loved ones who have died. This non-denominational service will be held on Saturday Nov. 5, from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon at Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N. LaVenture Road, Mount Vernon (corner of LaVenture and Hoag). All members of our community, your family and friends, are welcome to attend. If you wish to receive a holiday ornament with your loved one’s name inscribed, or if you need directions, please contact Wendy at 360-814-5589.
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