Polson Seniors: Winter Solstice marks "return of light"

The winter solstice is on Dec. 21 in the northern hemisphere. In Earth time it is the day of the year with the shortest amount of daylight. 

After this day the days get longer, hence the “return of light.” Prehistoric people (even animals) all sensed this event, even before calendars and watches. Ancient cultures celebrated this time of year in many ways, but they all were based on a common belief that hope would soon be coming out of the darkness. Celebrate hope, and reawakening. Never give it up. 

We still have some varieties of See’s Candies for sale for $30 (barely above our cost). Buy one for yourself, too.

The center will be closed for Christmas weekend and New Year’s Day. 

Starting Jan. 1, the Transportation Service (taxi) charge will change to $8 per ride with a $1 extra stop fee. We only have one driver for each day. To reserve your ride call at least 24 hours in advance. Priority will be given to medical appointments and same day requests are seldom granted. Rides are available from 8-10 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. on weekdays. 

Activities at the Polson center, open to all, include: Wednesday Play Day to play cards, board games, dominos, chess or mahjong (invite a foursome); self-guided, video-assisted exercise, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; bingo at 6 p.m, except for Dec. 26. First Wednesdays playing card bingo at 6 p.m. (elimination-style); and pinochle, 12-3 p.m. Mondays (no pass) and Thursdays (standard). The pool table is open for play 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Bridge and Mahjong groups meet regularly at the center.

Bowling fun-league is on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. at the Sportspage Bowl. The Spinning Wheelers meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; call 208-520-1013. 

A special card bingo potluck will be New Year’s Eve from 6-10 p.m. Cribbage will start in January on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons possibly; a sign-up sheet is at the center.

Kiwanis Club of Polson meets on Jan. 22 at 12 p.m. at the Polson Senior Center. The following meetings from February to June will be at the center on the third Thursdays at 12 p.m. 

A veteran’s service officer visits the center from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on the first Friday and third Tuesday of each month.

We have space for small groups to meet for social, health or educational purposes, Wednesdays are best; other weekdays as well. Our community center is open for special events on weekends and evenings. Call for details.

Sit-down meals are available from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays, and delivered to qualified people who call before 10 a.m. A suggested donation of $5 helps support the nutrition program.

Upcoming main dishes include: Chicago-style dogs, Dec. 18; ham bake and scalloped spuds, Dec. 19; ham with wild rice soup, Dec. 22; baked chicken, Dec. 23; hoppin' Johns (rice and beans), Dec. 24; potato soup, Dec. 29; pork chops, Dec. 30; and potluck soup, Dec. 31. 

The Polson Senior Community Center is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at 504 Third Ave. E. and has space available for your special event (large or small), daily, weekends or evenings. For more information, call 406-883-4735, email [email protected] or visit us on Facebook.