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| YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTION |
Seniors take time to enjoy good friends,
food
By L. NICOLE TROTTIE
July 2, 2009
Quiet as it’s kept Carnegie Hall at the Maywood Public Library is not
exactly hush when twenty or so seniors gather daily for food, laughs
and more.
Housed at the library on the second floor is the the Community Nutrition
Network (CNN) for seniors. CNN’s mission is to provide meals and
resources for older adults, and assist them in leading active and
healthy lives.
James Watt’s, a 21-year resident of Maywood has been a member of
CNN for nearly 10 years. When asked what keep you coming back,
Watts smiled and said, “Good food and fellow ship and bingo.”
Watt’s, a retired supervisor for the Maywood streets and sanitation
department, arrives early each day to help the staff and volunteers
prepare lunch for the 20 members of the program.
Watt’s, who knows just about everyone in town from former mayor Joe
Freelon to current mayor Henderson Yarbrough Jr., said he has lost
many friends over the years and the program is a nice way to keep in
touch with people.
Scott Wright, a volunteer, said of the program that most of the
participants are men. “About 13 of the 20 members are male,” Wright
said who has been involved with CNN for about 10 years.
“I’d like to see more women come out,” Juanita Lee added. Lee, CNN,
Assistant Director makes her way to the library daily at 8:00 am to
prepare and serve lunch by 10:00 am. The retiree from General Motors
began helping out at the CNN when her sister, a former employee of the
program fell ill. “When my sister passed, I just stepped in and filled her
shoes,” said Lee. “I just felt we were really making a difference here in
the lives of so many seniors,” she added.
Lee wishes that more seniors new about the serves provided by CNN.
“For seniors who are homebound, we will go and deliver their meals and
for those without transportation we will pick them up by bus,” she said.
“Maywood has a lot of seniors and I think we could have more
participants if we could just get the word out to them.”
Stan Huntington, Maywood Public Library, Director couldn’t agree
more. “It’s a good way for seniors to socialize, come and relax and cool
off from the summer heat.”
Huntington said the meals are good and meet nutritional requirements.
“If you’re a pensioner or on a skimpy budget you couldn’t buy food of
this same quality,” said Huntington who admittedly sneaks in on
occasion for lunch and dessert. For a treat, according to Huntington,
the members will sometimes bring in a cake or other goodies.
The CNN program operates daily from 10:00 a.m. am to noon Monday –
Thursday at the Maywood Public Library located at 121 S. 5th Avenue
in the Carnegie Room on the second floor. Participants are
encouraged to arrive at 9:00 a.m. for sign in. For additional information
call (708) 343-1847
Summer hours at the Maywood Public Library are: Mon. and Wed. 9:00
a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Tue., Thu. and Sat from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
closed Friday and Sunday.
food
By L. NICOLE TROTTIE
July 2, 2009
Quiet as it’s kept Carnegie Hall at the Maywood Public Library is not
exactly hush when twenty or so seniors gather daily for food, laughs
and more.
Housed at the library on the second floor is the the Community Nutrition
Network (CNN) for seniors. CNN’s mission is to provide meals and
resources for older adults, and assist them in leading active and
healthy lives.
James Watt’s, a 21-year resident of Maywood has been a member of
CNN for nearly 10 years. When asked what keep you coming back,
Watts smiled and said, “Good food and fellow ship and bingo.”
Watt’s, a retired supervisor for the Maywood streets and sanitation
department, arrives early each day to help the staff and volunteers
prepare lunch for the 20 members of the program.
Watt’s, who knows just about everyone in town from former mayor Joe
Freelon to current mayor Henderson Yarbrough Jr., said he has lost
many friends over the years and the program is a nice way to keep in
touch with people.
Scott Wright, a volunteer, said of the program that most of the
participants are men. “About 13 of the 20 members are male,” Wright
said who has been involved with CNN for about 10 years.
“I’d like to see more women come out,” Juanita Lee added. Lee, CNN,
Assistant Director makes her way to the library daily at 8:00 am to
prepare and serve lunch by 10:00 am. The retiree from General Motors
began helping out at the CNN when her sister, a former employee of the
program fell ill. “When my sister passed, I just stepped in and filled her
shoes,” said Lee. “I just felt we were really making a difference here in
the lives of so many seniors,” she added.
Lee wishes that more seniors new about the serves provided by CNN.
“For seniors who are homebound, we will go and deliver their meals and
for those without transportation we will pick them up by bus,” she said.
“Maywood has a lot of seniors and I think we could have more
participants if we could just get the word out to them.”
Stan Huntington, Maywood Public Library, Director couldn’t agree
more. “It’s a good way for seniors to socialize, come and relax and cool
off from the summer heat.”
Huntington said the meals are good and meet nutritional requirements.
“If you’re a pensioner or on a skimpy budget you couldn’t buy food of
this same quality,” said Huntington who admittedly sneaks in on
occasion for lunch and dessert. For a treat, according to Huntington,
the members will sometimes bring in a cake or other goodies.
The CNN program operates daily from 10:00 a.m. am to noon Monday –
Thursday at the Maywood Public Library located at 121 S. 5th Avenue
in the Carnegie Room on the second floor. Participants are
encouraged to arrive at 9:00 a.m. for sign in. For additional information
call (708) 343-1847
Summer hours at the Maywood Public Library are: Mon. and Wed. 9:00
a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Tue., Thu. and Sat from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
closed Friday and Sunday.