THE CENTER
‘Matriarch of the dining room’ Gainesville resident Bonnie Coffey, 94, was honored recently by The Center as the “Older American Month Hero.” In awarding the recognition, The Center’s administrator Lisa Engelhardt said, “Bonnie Coffey’s beautiful smile is the first thing you see most mornings at The Center…. When asked how long she’s been volunteering here she’s not sure. I asked around, and no one remembers her not being here. When she first started, she served in the kitchen from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day. These days she doesn’t put in as many hours, but we still rely on her being here to make sure the dining room is neat and pretty and ready for our guests. Our goal at The Center is to have an environment that is reminiscent of a family reunion every day. Bonnie is a big part of that as she serves as the matriarch of the dining room. Most people find their way to her table at some point just to get a hug or a smile. Bonnie reflects what The Center is all about.”
The Senior Citizens of Ozark County Board will hold an election in June to elect members to the board. Voting will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the week of June 11-15 at The Center off Highway 5 near the Gainesville city limit.
Board member nominees are Carol Cooper and incumbents Buddy Festervand, Sue Herning and Lynn Bentele.
The annual meeting for the Senior Citizens of Ozark County Board will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 20.
The board is seeking a cook for the First Sunday dinner fundraisers at The Center. The cook will have his or her choice of meal to prepare for each dinner. Those interested should contact administrator Lisa Engelhardt at The Center, 417-679-4746, during business hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or stop by The Center at 516 Country Road 800 in Gainesville.
The Center’s next First Sunday fried chicken dinner fundraiser will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 3. The meal includes a beverage and dessert. The cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children younger than 10. Students from the Gainesville High School FBLA will be serving the meal to earn tips to help fund their upcoming projects.
Menus
Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is open to everyone. The cost is $6 for those younger than 60; a $3.50 donation is requested for those over 60. Call 679-4746 to order take-out for 25 cents more.
Wednesday, May 23: BBQ beef sandwich, seasoned potato wedges, California-blend vegetables, sugar cookies. Thursday, May 24: homestyle lasagna, garlic bread, green beans, pecan pie bread budding. Friday, May 25: fried fish, brown beans, coleslaw, cornbread, Jell-o cake. Monday, May 28: closed in observance of Memorial Day. Tuesday, May 29: meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, homestyle biscuit, peach puff. Wednesday, May 30: beef ’n’ bean burrito, tomatoes and zucchini, roasted corn and black beans, peanut butter cookie. Thursday, May 31: baked pork chop, broccolil, baked sweet potato, fresh-baked roll, apple pie.
Activities
Wednesday, May 23: Grace foot clinic (call 679-4746 for an appointment). Thursday, May 24: crafters corner 10 a.m., Bingo 1 p.m., music jam session 6 p.m. Friday, May 25: arthritis exercise class 1 p.m. Monday, May 28: Closed in observance of Memorial Day. Tuesday, May 29: dominoes 10 a.m. Thursday, May 31: crafters corner 10 a.m., Bingo 1 p.m., music jam session 6 p.m.
OATS
OATS transportation is available to the entire county and to anyone regardless of age, income, disability, race, gender, religion or national origin. If you don’t see your area listed, call driver Angela Pleasant, 417-343-0573, for help arranging your ride. For rides from Bakersfield, Caulfield and Dora, call Jean Lawing, 284-7377; from Theodosia and Gainesville, call Mary Piepergerdes, 679-4142.To arrange rides to Springfield, call Lawing or Pleasant.
The only OATS bus scheduled for the rest of May is the regular Thursday trip from Caulfield and Bakersfield to West Plains.
This is the schedule for June: Every Thursday of the month Caulfield and Bakersfield go to West Plains. Tuesday, June 5: Theodosia and Gainesville go to Bran-son. Monday, June 11: Pontiac, Theo-dosia and Gainesville go to Springfield. Tuesday, June 12: Theodosia and Gainesville go to West Plains. Monday, June 18: Caulfield and Bakersfield go to Mountain Home, Arkansas. Tuesday, June 19: Theodosia and Gainesville go to Mountain Home. Tuesday, June 26: The whole county goes to Gainesville. The food pantry will be open this day at a special time for OATS riders only.