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Lookin' For Love, er, Lunch In All the Wrong Places
I remember that in 1983 Johnny Lee had a country music hit called "Lookin' for Love in All the Wrong Places." That happens sometimes. Lately, though, I've been lookin' for lunch. And I've found some good places along the way, as noted in some previous blogs.
But I may have hit "Bingo" with my latest adventure. Have you ever read the Press-Republican monthly insert, the Senior Sentinel? Inside is a calendar of lunches at the Clinton County Senior Citizens Center. For months I've been reading about "turkey and biscuits with mashed potatoes," and "breaded pork chop with sweet potatoes" and "meatloaf with gravy."
Have I tempted you? Well, I was tempted enough by "roast turkey with gravy" that I decided to try one of these Senior Citizens lunches. The center is located at the site of the former Seton Catholic Central or Mount Assumption Institute on North Catherine Street. I arrived at the same time as "Midge" Sorrell and his sister Sally Griffin. They escorted me to the elevator and to the cafeteria, where lunch is served.
I first had to register, as a first-time guest, and then find a seat. Lorraine Hardy, an 88-year-old volunteer at the center, tried to find me a table. Lorraine knows this place well. She's been volunteering for 25 years and in 2003 she was named the "Senior Citizen of the Year." She led me to a table where two ladies were quietly chatting. There were about five vacant seats.
The ladies seemed to panic when this stranger with a ponytail approached the table.
They accounted for all five vacants seats by telling Lorraine, "Well, Helen will be here, and she might bring her friend, and Bob and Joan always sit here."
I told Lorraine that I could just sit by myself the first time. But she insisted that I "make some friends." She led me to a table of men near the entrance. This looked safe. So I sat with Brother Rene, Gerard, George and John. Brother Rene, who taught at MAI and Seton Catholic for 39 years, was a familiar face, but I had never sat and talked with him.
Lunch began promptly at noon with general announcements from a staff member, followed by a moment of silent meditation and then the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Within seconds, dinner was served. To some of us! Brother Rene was the first one served. Something of a tradition, I think. But I was a close second! I guess because I'm a first-time visitor.
I'm sure next time I'll have to do what the others do -- wait until my table number is called and go to the counter to get my lunch. But for today, I was served! And the lunch was delicious. A nice slice of turkey breast, mashed potatoes with gravy, squash, a roll with butter, and an oatmeal-raisin cookie with milk.
There were 35 seniors in attendance. The meal, served daily, costs just $5.25 if you are under 60. For the senior seniors (over 60) the meal is just $2.25. I can hardly wait to get older now!
As John pointed out to me, many people think that this senior citizens lunch is for only poor people or people on welfare, but that's not the case. The Senior Citizens Center is open to the public, and not just for lunch. There are bingo games, demonstrations, musical events and many other activities. Plus, thanks to an anonymous donor there's that big-screen tv that I've been dreaming about.
My first experience at the Senior Citizens Center was a fun one. People were friendly and talkative. I'll definitely be back.
In case you are wondering, the former MAI-Seton Catholic building is still owned by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, based in Alfred, Maine. It's great that the building is still used, but I'm sure that the seniors only use a small part of the building.
The Clinton County Senior Citizens Center is under the direction of Kathleen Hazel, who works with a great staff. Looks like I'll be more than a stranger at the center in the months ahead. Who knows? Maybe I can even talk some of the blogoteers into meeting me for lunch. How's teriyaki chicken and garlic potatoes sound?
Comments
Foxy,
You never let me down, Sally is my Grandmother and Midge is of course my Great Uncle. Being in FL and staying in touch with the North Country is great for me. Keep it up and let Gram and Midge know that I love them.
Maybe over the holidays I will go eat with them and meet up with you like the CVAC football days...
Posted by: Mark Golden | October 30, 2007 6:10 PM
Foxy ;
The rich Tradition and History of the Mount is made up of the dedicated Brothers who gave up their own personal lives to help others. They encouraged All Students who attended rich or poor to be all they could be in life. The Brothers taught with a firm hand and a warm heart! The Brothers taught us success doesn't come easy and in Life's Journey there are many bends and curves along the way! It's how we handle the sadness and setbacks that we will all face during our time here and how our Faith will be the guiding light to overcome these obstacles.
Its only fitting that the Mount be used for a Senior Center! It's still helping people Today!
It's a positive influence on the great Senior Citizens who made Plattsburgh the Greatest Small Town In America!
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | October 29, 2007 9:01 AM
Sounds great, now let's see a 3 hour drive from Ottawa, some cross border shopping. stock up on Teddie Natural Peanut Butter. Canadian money worth more than than the US. And lunch for $2.25. I am 60.
Sounds like the good old days!
Posted by: Norm | October 28, 2007 4:04 PM
Foxy if you make that trip to MAI again for lunch maybe should should invite my brother along with you. Two single men like yourselves and all those single ladies..........oh boy! Hey you never know maybe Jim will spring for lunch I know he can afford that. I don't know if you have ever had a long talk with Bro. Rene or not but that man can give you some real history of MAI, he has more stories than anyone else I know. Bro. Rene may have taught at MAI for 39 years but I have known him for over 50, he taught part of a year at St. Peters back in the 1950's and I was in that class. Hey maybe I will go to lunch there I just found $2.25 next to the computer. Like Fred said don't rush getting any older.
(Foxy's note: Yes, this could start a whole movement -- of us retired guys enjoying lunch at the Senior Citizens Center.)
Posted by: Bill Carr | October 28, 2007 12:02 PM
Story has it, that the women at the over 70's table were so excited to see such a young handsome man walk in, that they went to bed that night with their teeth in. One of them thought it was Tom Cruise.
(Foxy's note: Only "Doc" could think of that one!)
Posted by: Doc | October 28, 2007 8:36 AM
Foxy, This brings back some old memories of THE MOUNT. The next time you are there you have to check out the old gym which is down stairs in the old building. Free throws were not easy shots because of the low ceiling. Bro. James coached us to an undefeated JV hoop season back in the 55-56 season. I coached (my first year out of P'burg State) a very talented JV team in 62-63 to a 19-1 season, the 1 loss is another story. Nice piece Foxy. (I'm vacationing in the Turks and Caicos.)
Wayne Lashwy
Posted by: wayne lashway | October 28, 2007 7:27 AM
Well, Foxy, a Fox Hill boy treading on the hallowed grounds of MAI. Something to be said about that. You had better be careful going to lunch there. Some of these older ladies are looking for a young lad like yourself. By the way, don't be in any hurry to get older and "grow up". It's not all it's cracked up to be. Looks to me as if you have made a great discovery. Enjoy!
(Foxy's note: Let me know next time you're in town. I'll buy you lunch! You're over sixty, right?)
Posted by: Fred Forkey | October 27, 2007 8:15 PM