The Peru Gazette

L-R Bernie Jakobetz, Melissa & David Goodrich, Jane Gage, Ann Wilke

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Are you a person age 60 or older or do you know anyone 60 or over who would appreciate a good meal, a few laughs and interesting conversation? If the answer is “yes,” you’ll find all of this and more at 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. The Peru Gazette stopped by the Fellowship Center this past Thursday. We sampled the food, talked to everyone and we loved it!

Thursday’s menu featured a delicious salad, michigans, tasty potatoes, green beans, fruit-filled jello and unforgettable banana cake – all this for a suggested donation of $3.00 for folks 60 and over and $8 for anyone under 60. Reservations are requested. Just call 561-8320. A Peru phone (420-4184) will be activated in the near future. The Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County and the New York State and Clinton County Offices of the Aging sponsor the meal program. The sponsors recently responded to participant requests to return the program to the Fellowship Center in the center of Peru hamlet.  Meals had been served at the Peru VFW for several years.

The ladies and gentlemen enjoying Thursday’s meal had a diverse background. They included Bernie Jakobetz, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force; David Goodrich, a retired corrections officer and race horse trainer; Melissa Goodrich, a homemaker who earned a teaching degree in special education after her children left home; Jane Gage, a nurse who later became a nursing home administrator; Ann Wilke, a longtime medical office administrator and active community member; and a Korea native (who departed before we could get her name) who immigrated to the United States and ultimately became a missionary in Africa.

The meal program is designed to get seniors (irregardless of income) out of their homes to socialize and enjoy healthful, good tasting meals. Video bowling is also offered each Monday and Wednesday. Dave Goodrich remarked, “We love to play cards and would if we had a few more people coming.” Bingo is another option if enough people show interest.

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