By BRENDA BURNS
NEWPORT — Those of you who are dedicated readers of our articles know we are in the midst of renovating our basement into 4,000 square feet of usable space and making the Newport Senior Center building code compliant.
You also know that at the beginning of this project we had some complications that have increased the amount of funds needing to be raised.
We, here at the NSC and SCNS, are committed to reducing hunger and food insecurity, promoting socialization and the health and well-being of older individuals and we are not going to let the additional unanticipated expenses, of approximately $87,000, impact that commitment.
The board of the NSC, staff of SCNS and dedicated volunteers have been working feverishly to raise additional funds for the renovating the center that is an asset to the town, county, community and the anticipated senior population as it gets ready to explode.
The NSC and SCNS will be participating in Chamber Day on June 16, on the Newport Common. We will have information about meals-on-wheels, congregate meals and transportation services readily available and our qualified Outreach staff will be available to answer your questions and play a few games with the kids and some free give-a-ways.
The NSC will be grilling up sausage grinders with peppers and onions to delight your taste buds. We have been getting some guidance from Carroll Hazen, whose mother traveled to the center many years ago from Hillsboro to volunteer, on the best hot and sweet coil sausage to use.
Some of you may recognize Carroll’s sausage grinder booths at many of the summertime fairs as Angelino’s. Proceeds from the sale of the sausage grinders will go toward the unanticipated renovation costs.
The next effort will be on June 24 right here at the NSC where we will be cooking up a storm again with an All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet. The 10-plus item breakfast buffet will be available from 8-10 a.m. The cost is only $6 per person.
The NSC is partnering with the Newport Lions Club on its Calendar Sweepstakes raffle. Tickets are now available for $10 each. You will have 31 chances to win $50 up to $250. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold so get your tickets early. All tickets will be drawn Dec. 5. All prize winnings will be mailed to the winner’s ticket address so if you are a snow bird, be sure to put the address you will be located at in December. See any of our board members for your winning ticket.
If you have not visited Pleasant Street Gaming, in Claremont, there is still time to participate in a Texas Hold’em tournament on June 14, 15, 16 and 19 when 35 percent of the proceeds will come back to the NSC. Have a fun time while supporting your favorite place to be, the NSC.
Progress is being made every day. The second set of stairs is now installed. The sheetrock is hung and colors are being picked. More details available next week.
Brenda Burns is Exective Director of the Sullivan County Nutrition Service.
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