Here we are, well into the new year and things haven’t slowed down one bit. The lack of snow (so far) this year has kept us vibrant and alive with activity and it has been so good to see everyone continue to remain busy and involved. The Christmas lights outside of our building have gone dark and the decorations inside have been replaced with signs of the expectation of Valentine’s Day. I am the kind of person who craves as much sunshine as I can possibly get, so it is also with immense pleasure that I announce Daylight Saving Time is only five short weeks away! Indeed, we continue to move on into 2025.

As the season continues to change, we also embrace change within our facility. You may have noticed a new face at the reception desk. David, who has been helping in the Second Chance Thrift Shop and is the mastermind behind The Friendship Brigade, our card-making club, will be tending the front desk from 2 to 4 p.m. on Mondays. He will soon be joined by another volunteer, Kathy, who will be at the desk on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. Let’s make sure to welcome them both and give them plenty of grace as they learn this new role.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful beginning of 2025. The Director’s Message this month will be a little different than usual. I left for a river cruise through Switzerland and Germany with a group from the senior center on Dec. 9, and this is going to print while I am away. So, I leave with you my thoughts as we go into the New Year. Lydia and Russ will add to the message, so enjoy the little variation.  
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I have several things on my mind as we enter 2025, and one of them is our Walk of Fame. I am sure you’ve looked down at your feet as you are walking in our doors. All the names you see below engraved into the marble are the “famous” members who have chosen and purchased their own private tile. We are now down to two available tiles and I wanted to share the opportunity with everyone to claim one of these remaining spaces. The tiles available range from $200 to $300, depending on the number of lines you wish to have engraved. The fee for this purchase goes into our operating fund and serves to keep our doors open and our services at full throttle. Please consider this opportunity while you still have time. More information is available in our office. [Update: We sold our final tile on January 2!]

​BRrrr... It’s official. Summer is gone, and fall is here in full force. Although I am so grateful for the cooler weather, I’m not a fan of the shorter days. ​