Keeping Seniors Strong event outlined legislative agenda
This week was full of meetings and fun. I started off on Monday, with a luncheon at our friend Linda’s house. Linda had a little belated St Patty’s celebration for a few of our line dancing friends. We had a great meal of corn beef and all the trimming. I have to say Linda’s corn beef was the best I have ever had. After our meal we gather at her player piano for a fun singalong. Thanks, Linda, for a fun time and great meal.
On Wednesday I joined a group from the Leon Mathieu Center at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI for a conference on “Keeping Seniors Strong.” The event was part of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island and was sponsored by United Healthcare.
The speakers were from organizations throughout Rhode Island that deal with the needs of seniors. It was sad to hear that people must wait 3 or more years for housing, in home care or other forms of assistance. Most of the agencies have long lists of people but not enough housing facilities for them to live in or home care people to fill the needs of people.
Speaker of the House Joseph Shekarchi touched on what our legislative and budget priorities are being discussed by the General Assembly and senate leaders. He mentioned how there are a lot of programs being discussed to save seniors money and to expand housing programs.
There were four speakers who represented voices from our community. Each one spoke about something that affected the lives of senior. The Leon Mathieu Center was represented by Paula McAloon. Paula did a great job of explaining the importance of the senior center in the lives of its members. She told of the program we have, the many exercising classes, the socialization that the center provides, along with the help it provides to people regarding what program are out there and that is just a few of the highlights of her speech. We were all very proud of her.
On Thursday Wendy and I represented the senior center at Fallon Memorial’s parent teachers conference. After visiting their children’s teachers, parents stopped by the six-table set up with information regarding community or school services. The Backpackers table had information on food that is available to students if needed, Boys Town was represented by Mr. Rocco who works in school with children on how to manage their behavior, there was information on good attendance, a poster was set up for parent’s feedback, and we had information on the Leon Mathieu center. I have to say a lot of the parents were interested in our information for their parents.
For the last thirteen years March 19th has not been a good day for me. It is the day that my mom left this world. Mom was a great person. She was loved by everyone who knew her. She is the person who taught me, by her actions, to care about others and to help people whenever you can. She taught me to be independent and let me know I could be anything I wanted to be. I know she would be proud of my accomplishments and the life I have created for myself. I know for sure she would have loved Wendy and enjoyed her antics.
This March 19th was the hardest of all because our family lost another member. Cousin Sheila’s husband William Walas passed away unexpected on the same day of the year and around the same time of day as mom. Like mom, Bill was a wonderful person.
Bill and Sheila were high school sweethearts. They married soon after graduating from Tolman High School fifty-six years ago. Bill served in the U.S. Army Reserve & was a civil engineer for the City of Pawtucket for 26 years. He was a DJ known as “Graffiti Gold” and was an associate member of Bristol County St Rod Assoc. serving as their DJ for over 50 years. Everyone who knew Bill loved him. I cannot think of a single person who ever had a bad word to say about him. He will be missed by many, including me.
Have a great week and if you see us around town be sure to say Hi.