It’s fall in Santa Margarita — there’s that wonderful crispness in the air, the leaves are turning colors and beginning to drop, creating a protective blanket over the earth. It’s the time when we turn our thoughts inward to home, friendship, family and hot meals. These very same comforts are promoted and provided for our local seniors year round at the Santa Margarita Senior Center through the Santa Margarita Area Senior Citizens Club (SMASC) and The Meals That Connect Senior Nutrition Program of San Luis Obispo County.
Senior citizens are cherished in our community and both the Senior Citizen Club and The Meals That Connect program help to keep our seniors active and involved. The SMASC has fun monthly membership meetings with themed potluck events and activities every second Tuesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. Examples of past themes include last month’s Halloween potluck where members were encouraged to dress up in costumes while playing an exciting round of bingo following lunch, and September’s sock-hop which included old-time cars, pizza, milkshakes, and 40’s 50’s or 60’s clothing. The Meals That Connect program is a nonprofit organization that serves nutritional hot lunches to more than 1,800 seniors in community dining rooms throughout SLO County every weekday. Their mission is to “enhance the health, reduce isolation, and increase socialization of SLO County residents who are 60-plus years of age.” But a leaky roof and October’s threat of rain nearly halted everyone’s good times and hot meals.
Time was short but the news soon spread through town where enthusiastic community members and business owners rallied to the cause. A large and very successful fundraising event called Raising the Roof was put on at Ancient Peaks’ Oyster Ridge barn on June 24. This fun-filled evening included a delicious meal prepared by The Range, music by the always entertaining Monty Mills and The Lucky Horseshoe Band, as well as silent and live auctions. Many of our seniors were in attendance including 104-year-old Henry Barba, Herold Low (99) and his wife, Ginny (95), as well as most of Santa Margarita’s other residents who danced the night away while giving generously.
The total money raised by this event was in excess of the needed $11,000 goal and we are happy to report that the new roof is completed and the good times and hot meals continued to enhance the lives of our cherished seniors as the early October rains fell.
Santa Margarita Senior Center is located at 22210 H Street in Santa Margarita.
For information on The Meals That Connect program, call Dave at 805-438-5854 or visit mealsthatconnect.com or facebook.com/Santa-Margarita-Area-Senior-Citizens-Club-1585031628428816.
• Saturday, November 3 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Gameday at Santa Margarita Library.
• November 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Native American Crafting at the SM Library. November 17, 5:30 p.m. Santa Margarita Community Church’s annual free “Community Thanksgiving Dinner” held at the Santa Margarita Elementary School.
