St. Paul’s Winter Activities
St. Paul’s Annual Meeting took place on January 16th with people attending in person and online. Last year Robert’s Rules of order was updated to make it easier for organizations to hold meetings like this using modern technology. St. Paul’s moved ahead quickly, changing the parish By-Laws to enable our members to join online. This meant we could have all the “snowbirds” who choose to join us be participants in the Annual meeting. We had members located in several states log in for this meeting.
St. Paul’s elected officers for 2022. They are Mary Ann Meyers (Senior Warden), Bob White (Junior Warden) Chip Duggan (Clerk), Wes Baker and Paula Hubner. Ruth Scarpelli was elected Treasurer. The members passed a budget for 2022 and announced plans for the year ahead. The parish held a Capital Campaign called Planting for Tomorrow, seven years ago and is using those funds to take care of significant projects. Thanks to good investing, the funds raised have grown and will be available for the anticipated 2022 roof replacement and several other smaller projects.
Planting for Tomorrow was focused on significant building maintenance. Anticipating other needs to maintain the parish, a fun fund raiser called “Art from the Attic” will take place in July. The parish celebrated several recent events including the arrival of beautiful new green altar hangings, a set of blue hangings for use in Advent and the restart of our Bible Explorer’s program on Wednesday afternoons.
Many people are familiar with a book by John Bunyan called “The Pilgrim’s Progress” written in 1678. The Bible Explorers are using a version of Bunyan’s Christian allegory during our gatherings. This program will continue through February. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious, theological fiction in English literature. We are grateful Jessie Green has volunteered as program assistant, helping Mo. Mary provide this activity for our youth.
The children’s programs at St. Paul’s follow the mask protocols used at PIB school. If the school is not in session on a Wednesday the Bible Explorers do not meet (no meeting Feb. 23rd during the school break). Adult programs are using the protocols used at the Senior Center as our guide.
Easter is late on the calendar this year (April 17th). This means St. Paul’s will observe Ash Wednesday on March 2nd, 2022 with a livestream (and in person) service led by our Bible Explorers at 3:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the livestream those who join us on-line will be invited to “drive by” for ashes between 4:15 and 5 p.m.
Senior Center News
By Chris Joyce
I hope everyone had a wonderful start to the New Year. During January, the PIB Seniors enjoyed a “Soup & Show” evening together and a super fun “Senior Social” at Topsy’s. A huge shout out goes to David Hill for helping make the event a great success!
We have a couple special events planned for February as well: On Feb. 8th, we’ll have a Soup & Show evening. On Feb. 13th, we’ll be getting together for a “Snacks & Super Bowl Tailgate. On Feb. 14th from 2:30-3:15 p.m., the Put-in-Bay School French Class will be putting on a Valentine’s Day Program for us. Finally, on Thursday, Feb. 24th, we’ll be enjoying our winter monthly Senior Social at Topsy Turvey’s!
Remember during the off season, a “Soup and a Show”, “Wii Bowling” or similar activity is added at least once a month, but are often not planned far enough in advance to make this publication. Check out the calendars posted at the Senior Center, Post Office, Twp. Office, for any extra last-minute activities in February! The Put-in-Bay Senior Center loves to see new faces attending our activities and we welcome you to stop by and join in the fun anytime!
Our Senior Lunches continue every Monday at Topsy’s at 12 p.m.. Please make your reservation by 12 p.m. on the prior Friday by signing up at the Senior Center or calling the center at (419) 285-5501. A very special “Thank-You” goes out to the staff at Topsy’s for keeping the senior lunches running smoothly!
The wonderful people at the EMS continue to take Blood Pressures every Monday at 10 a.m. This is a great free service they provide, so come in and get yours checked. The “60+ Clinic” is scheduled for Thursday Feb. 24th. This free health clinic is put on by the Ottawa County Health Dept. for those 60 and older. If you’d like to take advantage of this wonderful program, please call (419) 734-6800 to make your appointment.
As we enter the heart of the winter season, many here on the island are keeping their fingers crossed that Mother Nature continues to cooperate as we enjoy ice fishing and other fun winter sports! Keeping active is vital for both our mental and physical health. If we’re moving and it doesn’t matter how fast or hard, whether doing housework or ice fishing, just keep it up and you’ll begin to enjoy all the wonderful health benefits that come with being active! Wishing everyone a safe winter. Please remember to be extra careful when you venture outside, the ice and ground are harder than they look when your feet slip out from underneath you!
The previous piece is published in this month’s Put-in-Bay Gazette. The Gazette has been producing incredible independent Put-in-Bay island news for over 40 years. If you have any interest at all in what is happening on South Bass Island, we urge you strongly to subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette. One-year online subscriptions are only $15, and print subscriptions are available as well. To subscribe please click here.
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