Strong Turnout At Sr. Center Fundraiser

By CATHERINE ELLERTON

Moapa Valley Progress

You take a bunch of old bread and put it in a bowl – then melt butter and pour it all over the top of the bread. Next take milk, sugar, vanilla, pumpkin spice and eggs, mix them up and pour it over the bread. Then put it in a 350 degrees oven for 45 minutes and ‘Voila!’ you have Old Fashioned Bread Pudding! Make sure you serve it with whipped cream on top. Oh dear! Did you remember the raisins?

I had taken a moment, on Friday, Jan. 19, just before the January Fundraiser Dinner at the Moapa Valley Senior/Recreation Center to talk with the chef, Raegan Whited and decided to get a “secret” recipe from her. Raegan has been cooking delightful daily lunches, twice a week breakfasts and fundraiser dinners for ten years now at the Senior Center. Jack Johnson joins her at the stove.

She had moved from Maine with her family her senior year in school and graduated from MV High School. She then attended beauty school for a short time.But her love of cooking drew her back. Previously she worked at Wendy’s and the Inside Scoop. She is a self-taught cook. She has always enjoyed cooking and experimenting with different combinations of food items. This particular evening she put together an enchilada dinner.

The fundraiser dinners are voluntary labor for the whole staff at the Center. MVHS Honor Society Members help to keep things rolling. This particular evening Bailey Bunker, Camille Hardy, Hailee Heiselbetz, Hanna Mortensen, Aria Messer, Emma Thompson and Averee Widdison were kept running serving the delicious dinner to a packed house.

Keeping the audience entertained was Kenny Marshall who is a Cowboy Poetry reciter. He spoke the wisdom of the ages as he recited the words of Baxter Black, Bill Jones, Buck Christensen and Bonnie Mitchell as they wrote about rattlers and friendship and favorite cuts of meat and ropin’ bears.
The Kountry Kickers did a bit of line dancing to get everyone’s toes to tapping. A 50/50 raffle was held and an auction was successful.

Senior Center Director Cindy Marino said that the organization is most grateful to the community sponsors who always support them. These include Lin’s Market, Cal’s Repair Center, La Fonda Restaurant, Ace Hardware, Hair District, Drs. Askeroth, Staley and Robertson, Pirate’s Landing, Alisha’s Grooming, “Biker” Bob, Wes & Leta Fisher, Sage Health, True Value, Napa and The Front Porch.

Marino has just completed 6 months in the position. The activities at the Center keep increasing and all community members are invited to participate. If one is over 55, you can become a member and under that age you can become an Associate or Resident member.

There are many activities to enjoy: Yoga, Ceramics, Quilting, Line Dancing and an Exercise Program. Bingo, Texas Hold ‘Em and Pinochle are also popular. The Monday through Friday lunches are open to all for a nominal fee and there is breakfast being served twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 A.M.

Once a month, Gail Lindsay, a Recreation Specialist from the Parks and Recreation Department, comes in to introduce some new crafts. These have included painting magnets with alcohol ink, making baskets and this particular day, hand knitting (no needles or hooks) a magnificent quilt. To obtain more information about your Sr./Recreation Center go to their Facebook page: Moapa-Valley-senior-center.

The next evening meal will be served on March 24 as an Appreciation Day for the Volunteers.