Happenings at the Orcas Senior Center

Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.

Need Holiday Décor?

The Orcas Senior Center will have a plethora of holiday décor available for free or by your generous donation.

So, in the next few months, drop by Orcas Senior Center, to peruse a variety of charming Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas décor. Who knows, you may find that perfect witch’s hat, cornucopia, or Christmas ornament you have been searching for years.

Open hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Drive-through senior BBQ serves many

On Thursday, Sept. 23, the Nutrition Program partners — Orcas Senior Center, San Juan County, and Whatcom Council on Aging — hosted a “Drive Through Senior BBQ” for Orcas Island seniors at Orcas Senior Center.

Meals on Wheels and More Director, Julie Meyers noted, “We had hoped to welcome San Juan County older adults back to Senior Community Lunches starting in September, but the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has caused us to postpone the reopening. While everyone involved in the program is disappointed about the postponement, we are excited to safely welcome seniors back to the senior centers for a delicious picnic-style meal.”

The BBQ was free and provided a delicious take-away meal of grilled hamburger, sausage or vegan burger as well as potato salad, fruit, and a cookie. About 75 meals were served to enthusiastic Orcas seniors on a beautiful sunny day.

Meals on Wheels

The San Juan County Senior Nutrition Program provides home delivered “Meals on Wheels” and Senior Community Meals (currently on hold due to the pandemic) to older adults on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands.

The Meals on Wheels and More program is administered by the Whatcom Council on Aging nonprofit in partnership with San Juan County Health and Community Services and the senior centers on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands, which operate under the umbrella of the Senior Services Council of San Juan County 501(c)(3).

The program is partially funded through federal grants, San Juan County levy funding, senior center in-kind contributions (utilities, fuel, kitchen equipment, etc.), and by client donations. The program also relies heavily on private donations and fundraising. To support the Nutrition Program and Orcas Senior Center, please consider donating generously at orcasseniors.org.

Meals on Wheels meals are available for delivery on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for those in need.

For more information or to register for Meals on Wheels, contact Jami Mitchell at 360-376-7926 or jamim@orcasseniors.org.

Orcas Socrates Cafe

Orcas Socrates Café Orcas Senior Center continues to virtually host the Orcas Socrates Café from 4-6pm on the second Sunday of each month. The next one is Oct. 10. It’s an opportunity to engage in an open discussion on philosophical perspectives. This is not a book club, but rather a conversation, based on the book, Socrates Café: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy by Christopher Phillips.

Each month will offer a new discussion topic, where everyone will be encouraged to exchange philosophical perspectives based on personal experiences. Past topics have included pondering: What is the purpose of wealth and what is enough wealth? And is there a time when common good takes precedence over personal freedom?

Register with Michel Vekved at michel@orcasseniors.org.