Spring is here, and May is coming to the Caledon Seniors' Centre
By Lloyd Bittle

Spring has finally sprung.

May brings a wealth of buds and activities to promise you a glorious summer. So do we. We welcome May and you to make our spring into summer our best yet.

Our Program Committee have designed activity schedules to suit every taste. Your participation will make it so.

April highlighted our volunteer appreciation. The Centre is indebted to and a royal thank you goes to our volunteers.

Our grand fund-raising gala April 4 was our best yet. A full house enjoyed a great dinner, dance and grand draw for super prizes. All winners have been notified. They are Karen Zammit ($1,000); Ron Smith (Niagara get-a-way); Beryl Goodfellow (power hockey table); Ken Dick (patio furniture); Alana Gibney (21-speed bike); Pat King (pressure washer) Agnes Walker (Mats Sundin picture); Audrey MacInnis (blow-up bed); Mrs. D. Kerrigan-Brown (tulip quilt); Karen Fast (Sydney Crosby sweater); Chris Hibovski (kitchen blender); Gabriele Cecco (Dirt Devil vac); Steve Vanderploet (four-piece luggage set); A. Nunes (Tiger Woods picture); Irma Piotti (coffee maker); E. Stroszka (knitted Afghan); Jack Baldwin (Wet-Dry vac); and Phil Jones (Sun Force spotlight). Congratulations to all winners. We are all winners because of your support.

This past Friday (April 18) it was Off with our Hats to welcome and honour our many dedicated volunteers with a grand reception and luncheon a la Henri, hosted by Beverly Nurden, manager, and our dedicated staff. President Monica welcomed all and thanked Colin Nurden and members of Palgrave Rotary who professionally served the luncheon. Mayor Marolyn Morrison, Councillor Annette Groves and other members of council and Dufferin - Caledon MP David Tilson brought good wishes and extended thank yous to all, stressing the importance of volunteerism. It was a grand celebration!

Our 13th annual general meeting will be held this Sunday (April 27) at the Centre. It marks the start officially of our Centre's 2008-2009 year. Reviews are underway of our internal facility needs and arrangements for our proposed building expansion. Our membership, (400 and growing) and community usage and participation continues to rise as well, along with our needs for space and adequate facilities. Our Long Range Planning Committee, volunteers all, welcome your participation. Initial Architectural drawings are available for your viewing. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Now is the time to make your opinions known.

An initial Business Plan has been prepared, with committee reviews currently under way, exploring and researching various funding possibilities.

Our Program and Events Committee welcomes you to our spring and summer activity schedules, offering programs for all to enjoy. Your active participation will make it our best year yet.

May and June in-house Games begin May 21 and run through June. Details and schedules are available in the office. Register now.

The $15 per year memberships are available anytime. Get yours and save on many of your activity participations. Be a Caledon Senior Centre Booster. Enjoy!

May highlights

May 4 to 10 is when Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated. Beautiful Joe says, "Be kind every week." Cheer the amendments to the OSPCA Act.

May 7 at noon, is the Birthday and Anniversary Lunch. Celebrate yours with us. At 1 p.m., there will be bingo, Club Italia. Lunches are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

May 8 is PROBUS. Meet and greet is at 9:30 a.m., followed by the speaker at 10. The speaker is Dr. Payam Dehghani, senior cardiologist at St. Michael's Hospital, Terrance Donnelly Heart Centre, as well as a teaching affiliate University of Toronto and associate at Brampton Cardiac Pulmonary Services, who will talk about Dispelling the Myths of an Aging Heart. All are welcome.

May 9, our Caledon Seniors' Centre players present their third-annual review To Make A Living. It is a riotous presentation, making fun of occupations galore. Talent abounds and we show it. You'll enjoy it. Meet the cast after for refreshments. Admission is $10 per person.

May 11 is Mother's Day, our one and only! Enjoy!

May 19 is Victoria Day, and "If you don't give us a holiday we'll all run away!'

May 21, in-house members' games begin. Darts start at 10 a.m. The cost is $10 for as many games as you wish to compete in, including the luncheon. Complete schedules are available at the Centre. Register now! Memberships are available anytime at $15 per year.

May 28 will see a trip to Niagara on the Lake, including a Kitling Ridge Winery tour, lunch at Betty's Restaurant, shopping and a visit to the Old Oak Country Market. The luxury coach leaves the Centre at 8:15 a.m. and will return at 7 p.m. The cost is $52 per person. The trip is sold out, but there is a waiting list.

Future

highlights

June 25, will see a Grand River Luncheon Cruise in Brantford and a visit to Bennett's Apples and Cider Store. The luxury coach leaves the Centre at 8:45 a.m. and returns at 7 p.m. The cost is $68 per person.

June 25 at noon, there will be an in-house games luncheon banquet and plaque presentations to winners.

For all details, schedules and information, contact the Centre at (905) 951-6114, email to caledonsenior@rogers.com or better still drop in. The Centre is at 7 Rotarian Way, west off Columbia Way, down Kingsview Drive, a short stop, and turn right on Rotarian Way. We are "snuggled" north behind the Wellness Centre. Always a warm welcome and a cuppa awaits.