Polson Seniors: Winter Solstice brings hope of renewal

Happy Christ-mass to all; and for the cave dwellers, star gazers, Ancients, Buddhists, Hebrews, Hindi, Muslims and First Peoples who have once or now inhabit this place called Earth: Happy Winter Solstice.

Whoever we are, and whatever we believe, the Solstice of Winter has always been a ritual celebrated (typically on or near Dec. 21) as the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. This time is celebrated with the hope of renewed life with the return of the days of Spring. Season’s greetings! Celebrate!

Birthday Dinner for Lunch will be served Dec. 20 and features baked ham with all the trimmings. Join us and dress up for Christmas! Dec. 21 marks the start of summer in Australia, but Christmas is still in December.

Bowling “no-tap” is Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. Join any time. Call Don at 406-885-5617 for details.

Activities at the Polson center, open to all, include: wood carving for beginners, 1 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, join any week; self-guided, video-assisted exercise, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, sitting, standing or dancing; bingo, 6 p.m. Fridays ($100 blackout), with playing card bingo on the first Wednesday only.

Pinochle is now offered two days a week: 12:15-3 p.m. Mondays or Thursdays, three- four- or five-handed. Beginners are welcome. Inquire at the center about bridge.

The Spinning Wheelers meet 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month; bring spinning wheel and fiber.

Bring friends for board and card games from 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; Mah-jong players meet at noon Wednesdays; inquire about Bridge at the center.

The pool table is open for play 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.

A veteran’s service officer visits the center on the first Friday and third Tuesday of each month.

Meals are available for sit-down from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays, and delivered to qualified people who call before 10 a.m. A suggested donation of $5 helps support the nutrition program.

Upcoming main dishes include: Chicago-style dogs, Dec. 19; Birthday Dinner for Lunch with baked ham and all the trimmings, Dec. 20; corn chowder, Dec. 23; tater-tot casserole, Dec. 24; chicken enchiladas, Dec. 26; sausage links with biscuits and gravy, Dec. 27.

The center is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Our Community Center is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at 504 Third Ave. E. For more information, call 406-883-4735, email polsonseniorcenter@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.