A recent trip to one of my favorite craft stores certainly put me in the mood for the holidays.  Down every turn you could smell cinnamon and spices.  One particular isle had a huge bin filled with brooms that had been saturated with cinnamon extract.  Wow!  You could not miss that aroma.  Everyone who walked near it remarked what it reminded them of.  The thoughts went from cookies to cakes to buns to pumpkin pie – the list was endless.

Isn’t it funny how much smells can trigger our memory of something from our past?  Certain smells bring back fond memories for me of coming home from school on a cold winter afternoon to the smell of something cooking on the old cookstove.  Now there was a multi-purpose invention.  It kept the house warm – it cooked food, baked goodies in the oven – and had a reservoir of hot water always at the ready.  Not to mention that the hot water added humidity to the home in the dead of winter.

As the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, I anxiously await the morning I drive to work and my sense of sight will alert my sense of smell that the Peace River Citrus Products plant has begun to process this year’s crop of oranges.  Oh, what a much-anticipated event that is for me each fall.  The wafting smell of the oranges processing reminds me of an orange-flavored cake baking.  Twice a day for about six months, that will be the highlight of my drive to and from work. 

You don’t have to be a turkey fan to enjoy the smell of Thanksgiving dinner in the oven.  How about the blending smell of the onions and celery sauteing for the dressing? 

Following Thanksgiving, we came home everyday to the smell of fresh baked cookies – dozens and dozens of which would come out of that oven in preparation for the gifts my mother was preparing to distribute as Christmas gifts to family and friends.  I, of course, looked forward to the fudge making.  And, it wasn’t done in a microwave oven – you spent endless hours stirring everything to melt and boil to the proper stage on the candy thermometer.  The reward for your efforts came in the form of licking the spoon and pan afterwards.

Memories play such an important part in our lives.  Whether it is memories of smell or just memories of the good old days, we get so much pleasure from our memories.  If you’re alone and long for someone to reminisce with, why not join us at the Friendship Center?

We are open from 10 am to 12:30 pm, Monday through Friday.  Each day we have different activities that the seniors can participate in if they so desire, but no one is forced to do anything they don’t want to.  Come and spend the time visiting – or be a people watcher. 

Our lunch menus are planned by a Registered Dietician and prepared by a catering service to meet one-third of the daily requirements for a person over 60.  When making a reservation, we do have a choice of meals daily.  Enjoy our hot meal choice of the day, or choose the frozen alternative meal that will be heated for you.  Each meal comes with bread, milk, and a dessert.

So, join us for new friends, activities, and lunch.  The only requirement for joining us is being 60 or older.  Income is not an issue.  There is no fee to join.  Meals are by donation only – suggested donation is $3 per meal but no one is turned away due to inability to donate.

Stop by or give us a call at 863-494-5965 to make an appointment to sign up today.  

Remember, together we can make DeSoto County a caring place to grow old.

Karen Blanchette is Director of Senior Friendship Centers of DeSoto County and can be reached at 863-494-5965.