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'Out to lunch' in Sandpoint isn't a bad thing

by Bob GUNTER<br
| June 1, 2008 9:00 PM

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” This quotation by Herbert Spencer has become my theme song. It is etched in my mind and hopefully will prevent me from having another experience like the one I want to tell you about today.

I’m sorry folks, all my guilt comes gushing out before I tell you why it’s a-gushing. It all started with a phone call from my friend John Elsa. He invited me to have lunch with him at the Sandpoint Senior Center over on Main Street. We were trying to settle on a date when John said, “How about Tuesday? That’s the day they are having liver and onions.” I quickly told him that I was completely booked up on that day, and any day where liver and onions are concerned. We settled on meat loaf day and that is one of my favorites — unless it has the consistency of a hockey puck.

Have you ever committed yourself to something over the phone and the minute you hang up you ask yourself, “Now, why did I do that?” Folks that is exactly what I said to myself, “Bob, why did you do that?” There were a few more words sprinkled around in that sentence but I don’t rightly recollect what they are now. I sat down in my favorite chair and mulled it all over in my mind. The word “senior” should have tipped me off. I knew exactly what the time would be like. I would walk in the place and there would be all those old people sitting around the walls of the room. There would be a group troublemaker (they call them facilitators these days) and his/her job would be to get them all a-talking. It would go something like this, “Bob, I hear you just had surgery and I am sure we all would like for you to tell us how much you suffered.” Or maybe, “Bengayuom, how are your sinking spells, hot flashes, fits and cravings doing these days? And Aspercreamia, don’t forget to tell us about your zooping pains and all those pills your sweet young doctor is giving you. I made up my mind that the senior center was no place for this 82-year-old.

Now here is what old Herbert Spencer said about “contempt prior to investigation” comes in. I arrived on time and walked in like a man facing execution and getting his last meal — hockey puck with gravy. I had never been in a senior center in my life. All the things I had fantasized were far from the truth. There were no complaining people lined around the wall and everyone was busy talking to friends. I did see three people with their heads down but they were busy on the computer sending e-mails to grandkids. There were a couple of guys who looked like they were having some kind of spasm but I found they were bowling on the Wii machine. In fact, I had just walked into a very busy place and when I finally got Norma White, the director, to slow down she shared with me the following that gives a good picture of what our senior center is all about.

Norma said, “Our mission statement is, ‘To aid and encourage our senior population to live independently with dignity while maintaining quality of life. To provide them with physical, emotional and economic support by providing a safe and friendly atmosphere to gather for social, nutritional and physical activities.’ The senior center provides home-delivered meals throughout Bonner County and meals at the center for those who desire to come in and eat with their friends. We serve lunch four days a week, Monday through Thursday, and we serve breakfast on Friday. Home-delivered meals are available seven days a week and we provide meals in Clark Fork.

She continues, “Exercise classes are provided two days per week, dances are weekly, pinochle is played three days a week, and bridge one day a week. We have bingo once a week and the Wii game is available five days a week. We have computer classes in our library and we have four computers. From January 15 through April 15 each year, AARP offers free tax help to seniors and low-income individuals two days a week. AARP also provides the “55 Alive” driving classes at the center. Hearing tests are offered twice a month and the library brings books to the center once a month. Local attorneys provide legal aid twice a month.” As you can see, these people do not have time to sit around the walls in this place.

I want to go back to the “hockey puck” statement I made. We all gathered around the table of our choice to one of the best meals I have had in a very long time. There was meatloaf with real gravy, mashed potatoes, a vegetable, salad, coffee, and a desert. I am saving telling you about the homemade rolls until last. I would like to say that they were just like my mama used to make but mama always burned hers. They were delicious as was the whole meal.

Now don’t show up without letting them know you are coming. I am going to give you the address and phone number after I say just one more thing. I still feel a little put off because I never did get to tell anyone about my eye surgery and all the pills I am on.

The center is located at 820 Main St. and its phone number is 263-6860.