Brandywine Senior Center invites anyone 50 years of age or older to join, regardless of religion, gender, race or color.

Members attending the Center

must be independent, be able to take care of their personal needs, & make decisions

as they participate in

the daily activities. 3301 Green Street, Claymont, DE 19703

(302) 798-5562 - www.claymontcenter.org

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Senior Center Staff:

Phyllis Hicks, Program Manager

Gail Whitehead, Asst. Manager

Beverly Henry, Coordinator

Curtis Warner, Driver

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY (The Brandywine Senior Center)

TO YOUR FAMILY!!

Brandywine Senior Center

Newsletter

Providing quality recreational, educational & human services to our Community Members 50 & older

2016

“Holiday Fest at Its Best”

By Renee Denise Gross a.k.a. "Grasshopper"

Glitter, Glamour, Glitz and Spritz

Shimmer and Sparkle, oh how we marvel at all the Ritz

It's a Holiday Fest At Its Best!

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Spiritual...

whatever your ritual, it's time to reflect, reconnect

and rejoice to be alive and revive our souls and minds

This an awe inspiring, rejuvenating time!

Holiday songs and singalongs

messages to keep a song in our hearts

not just in December, but every day to remember

regarding Love, Forgiveness and Re-inventive Starts

Now on to food, do you know what tastes good?

EVERYTHING*

There is so much to choose

any mouth watering decadence

embraces my stomach a happy resident

I look forward and I bet you do too!

A Fruit Cake in a Decorative Tin Bin, Well...that's Optional! (SMILE)

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Coming up!

CHRISTMAS GALA AND DINNER DANCE

TUESDAY

December 13th 5pm—9pm

ROCKETTES CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

TUESDAY December 6th

7:30 am

NEW CASTLE FARMERS MARKET

FRIDAY

December 2nd 9:30 am

BIG BINGO and Holiday Sing Along

WEDNESDAY - December 21st 9:30am - Big Bingo

12:30pm - Sing Along

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service. To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold

ARIANNA’S GOURMET CAFE

THURSDAY

December 29th Departing 11:00

WHITE ELEPHANT

FUNDRAISER

THURSDAY

December 1st

8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Aldi’s Market and Gabe’s Discount Store

THURSDAY

December 15th

9:30 am

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Brandywine Community Resource Council, Inc. (dba Claymont Community Center)

operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin

in accordance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. To find out more about our

nondiscrimination obligations or to file a complaint, please contact us at 302-792-2757.

Trip Policies

Sign ups for all trips will begin on the first weekday of

the month unless otherwise noted.

Trip sign-up is on a first come first-serve basis.

Members may only sign up for themselves or spouses

that day. Signing friends’ names to the trip list is

discouraged.

PARTIAL OR FULL PAYMENT IS DUE AT THE TIME

OF SIGN UP TO SECURE YOUR RESERVATION.

No refunds for prepaid reservations unless you find a

replacement.

Departure times are set by the office and driver.

Early departures will be at the driver’s and director’s

discretion and only if everyone is ready to leave.

Thank you for adhering to the rules.

Advertise with us!!!!

Are you interested in advertising your business or organization in our

newsletter? Please contact us:

Phyllis (302) 792-2757 ext. 162

Gail (302) 792-2757 ext. 142

ANNUAL

MEMBERSHIP

IS

$25.00/yr.

RUNS FROM

July 1, 2016 to

June 30, 2017

Come decorate a wreath with us

Friday, December 9

12:30pm — 1:45pm

Full Page

(8.5 x 11”) 1 month for $50 3 months for $125 6 months for $240

12 months for

$450

Quarter Page

(4.25 x 5.5”) 1 month for $15 3 months for $40 6 months for $75

12 months for

$140

Business Card

(3.5 x 2”) - - - - 3 months for $15 6 months for $25

12 months

for $45

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CHRISTMAS GALA AND DINNER DANCECHRISTMAS GALA AND DINNER DANCECHRISTMAS GALA AND DINNER DANCE

Sponsored by the Brandywine Senior Center

Tuesday,

December 13, 2016

Talleyville Memorial Hall

5:00pm - 9:00pm

$30.00 per person

Catering by Le Chateau Gourmet

Cash Bar DJ Door Prizes

Buffet Menu

Fresh Fruits, Assorted Cheeses, Raw Vegetables with Dip

Top Round of Beef with Gravy

Roasted Turkey Breast with Dressing

Whipped Potatoes

Baked Ziti

Seasoned Green Beans

Garden Salad

Rolls and Butter

Coffee Station

Assorted Desserts

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One of our local supporters of the Claymont Community Center

Thank you for your advertisement

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Managing Holiday Stress

In Great Britain the word "holiday" has the same meaning as vacation. Many Americans would find this comparison laughable. For most of us, the holidays come with our own "to-do" lists.

Too often we take holiday stress for granted. What's worse, we often have higher expectations for this season than for any other time of the year. Planning for the holidays can leave us feeling impatient, cranky, and — in some cases — depressed. When the realities of day-to-day life conflict with our efforts to make the holiday season perfect, stress results.

How do I prevent holiday stress? Are your expectations for the holidays realistic? Asking yourself this question is the first step to managing holiday stress. Make a list of what you expect from yourself and your family during the holidays. Hidden within these expectations you might find your potential holiday stressors — the things specific to you that can cause stress.

Under each item in the list, write down what changes you can make to prevent or defuse stress. Make the changes that will be most helpful to you. Do not hold on to unrealistic goals, such as creating the most enchanting holiday atmosphere. Remember to include your own needs.

Here is an example of a holiday stress prevention list:

Holiday shopping

Ask people what they want instead of scouring the earth to find the "perfect" gifts.

Shop early, when there is more of a selection. Stick to your gift budget.

Planning family get-togethers

Buy prepared foods, instead of cooking everything from scratch.

Ask others to bring their favorite dishes. Cook and freeze foods ahead of time.

Scheduling time with family and friends

Simplify holiday commitments and traditions. Discuss with your family which traditions are most important to you and to them. It's okay to re-evaluate past traditions.

Allow time for yourself. Remember to do things that you enjoy.

Avoid time crunches by making plans to visit some friends and family soon after the holidays. Don't over-schedule yourself. Allow enough time to relax and recover after visiting with others.

Tell family members about your commitments so you are not struggling against their expectations.

Travel after rush hour. When driving long distances, give yourself time to stop and rest.

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Pausing before the holiday spread

Avoid overeating and overdrinking, especially alcoholic beverages. Avoid starving yourself in anticipation of eating at holiday parties. This approach can lead to eating too much

of the wrong foods. Continue to exercise and watch your diet.

Managing your time

Set priorities and let go of impossible goals.

Stop to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Don't spend all of your time planning activities for your family. You might end up feeling drained and unappreciated. Take the time you need to finish tasks that are important to you. Don't try to complete everything at once. Ask others, including the kids, to help you complete chores. Rest when your body tells you to.

What are the holiday blues? For some of us, the holidays can be a depressing time when we get the holiday blues. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anger can intensify when contrasted with the joy expected of the holidays. Factors that can contribute to holiday depression include:

Associating the holidays with unresolved family issues or a painful childhood

Ignoring feelings of sadness, loneliness, or depression in an effort to maintain "holiday cheer" Facing the loss of a loved one with whom you have shared the holidays

Having unrealistic expectations of family and friends Having an expectation that you "should" feel good

Being away from family and friends Feeling isolated from others

Reflecting on losses or disappointments over the past year

Coping with changes in family obligations, particularly after a recent marriage or divorce Drinking more alcohol, which is often more readily available during the holidays (Avoid drinking alcohol to ward off negative feelings. Alcohol often will make depression worse.)

How do I cope with the holiday blues? Try something new. Take a vacation with a family member or friend.

Spend time with people who care about you.

Volunteer your time to help others. Spending time with those in need can help you feel less isolated. If you are religious, take time to reflect on the spiritual significance of the holidays.

Try to appreciate the good things you have now instead of focusing on the past. Stay active. Get out. Go for a walk. Window shop.

Accept feelings of sadness or loneliness. These feelings might not go away just because it's the holidays. Get help if you need it. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help any time of the year.

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Memorial Fund Donations can be made to Brandywine Senior Center in memory of you or your loved ones. The names will be

engraved on our Memorial Plaque which hangs in the Senior Center and families will be sent notification of your

remembrance.

Donations may be designated as follows:

Make improvement to the Claymont Community Center

Enhance Senior Center programs

When planning your estate, remember to designate a portion of your estate to be distributed to the Brandywine

Senior Center and/or the Claymont Community Center.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

12/01 Carol Hillman

12/01 Shirley Miller

12/02 Dorothy German

12/03 Marlene Bennett

12/05 Laura Carter

12/08 Connie Romero

12/10 Katharine Lancy

12/11 Joe McDevitt

12/13 Joan Chadbourne

12/13 Kathaline Mauro

12/18 Marilyn DeBona

12/19 Wendy Kane

12/19 Charles Vinson

12/23 Rachel Hayoun

12/25 Betty Wilbur

12/26 Genevieve Hession

12/26 Lucille Coverdale

12/27 Lee Fallon

12/31 Sylvia Lewis

THINKING OF YOU

Winnie Bothum

Marie Brooks

Sheila Davis

Betty Eachus

Clara Hunter

Bernice Jones

Carol Leeland

Diane Marley

Wallace Shaw

Joe Toth

Pauline Wyatt

In Loving Memory of

Roy Mullinax

Verna Townsend

NEW MEMBERS

Cookie Amadeo

Pat Bullock

Muhammad Fayyaz

Christine Friday

Loretta Hall

Mary Ellen Killian

Josephine Krause

Doris Masih

Carol Stewart

Deborah Warrick

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Congratulations to Rosemary Szumowski

1st place winner in our Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Rosemary

1st Place Winner

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City Fare Menu December 2016 - COUNTY

All meals subject to change. All meals contain 1% milk

Meals are ordered according to projected number; over that number, back-up meals will be available.

Suggested minimum donation for persons 60+ is $2.25. People under age 60 must pay $4.75

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

12/5 Cheese Omelet with Sausage Diced Red Potatoes With Onion & Peppers Poached Pear Half Blueberry Muffin Yogurt

12/6 Herbed Baked Chicken Roasted Baby Potatoes Spinach Fresh Orange Potato Bread

12/7 Swedish Meatballs in Sauce over Egg Noodles Italian Blend Vegetables Ultimate Grain Honey Bread Tropical Fruit

12/8 Chicken and Dumplings Mixed Vegetables Diced Peaches Apple Cinnamon Waffle Graham

12/9 Ham and Swiss Cheese With Lettuce, Tomato and Onion on a Club Roll Cream of Broccoli Soup Crackers Banana

12/12 Crab Cake with Tartar Sauce Corn Nuggets Broccoli Fruit Cocktail Wheat Dinner Roll

**12/13** Pot Roast with Gravy Scalloped Potatoes Green Beans & Carrot Tips With Slivered Almonds Apple Pie Dinner Roll

12/14 Beef Burgundy over Egg Noodles Key West Vegetables Orange Multigrain Bread

12/15 Turkey and Swiss Cheese on White Wheat Club Roll with Lettuce, Tomato & Onion Cream of Potato Soup with Bacon Crackers Diced Pears

12/16 Stuffed Pepper with Marinara Sauce Mashed Potatoes Cooked Apples Wheat Dinner Roll

12/19 Pot Roast w. Gravy Roasted Baby Potatoes Brussels Sprouts Multigrain Bread Apple

12/20 Chicken Supreme with Gravy Sweet Potatoes Cranberry Sauce Peas Orange

12/21 Flounder Macaroni and Cheese Stewed Tomatoes Giant Graham Cookie Banana

12/22 Salisbury Steak with Gravy Sweet Corn Bake Green Beans Diced Peaches Ultimate Grain Bread

12/23 Caribbean Chicken Brown Rice Mixed Vegetables Tropical Fruit Chocolate Bread

12/26 St. Pat’s Only Turkey with Gravy Cranberry Sauce Sweet Potato Soufflé Nantucket Blend Veggies Pineapple Tidbits Wheat Dinner Roll

12/27 Hamburger with Cheddar Cheese Lettuce & Tomato on a Whole Wheat Bun Minestrone Soup Crackers Fresh Pear

12/28 Fire Braised Chicken Stew Mixed Greens with Tomato and Onion Peach Cobbler Wheat Dinner Roll

12/29 Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce Baked Potato w. Sour Cream Broccoli White Wheat Bread Rice Pudding

12/30 Oven Fried Chicken Mashed Potatoes with Gravy Green Beans Banana

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City Fare 5 Day Bag Supper Menu December 2016 – COUNTY

All bag suppers contain 1% milk .

All meals subject to change. Suggested minimum donation for persons 60+ is $ 2.25. People under age 60 are required to pay $ 4.75

Meals available by reservation. Call your Senior Center to reserve your bag supper.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

12/5 Grilled Chicken Patty on Whole Wheat Hamburger Roll w/Lettuce & Tomato Carrot Raisin Pineapple Salad Rice Pudding Mayonnaise

12/6 Tuna Salad on a Club Roll with Lettuce and Tomato Marinated Vegetable Salad Orange or Banana

12/7 Turkey & Swiss on White Wheat Bread with Lettuce & Tomato Red Skin Potato Salad Mixed Fruit Cup Yogurt Mayonnaise

12/8 Ham & Swiss on a Baby Kaiser Roll with Lettuce & Tomato Raisins Yogurt Mustard

12/9 Meatloaf on Potato Bread Potato Salad Diced Peaches Ketchup

12/12 Roast Beef with Cheddar Cheese on 12 Grain Bread Coleslaw Banana or Orange Mustard

12/13 Grilled Chicken Patty on Whole Wheat Hamburger Roll Lettuce & Tomato Carrot Raisin Pineapple Salad Rice Pudding Mayonnaise

12/14 Turkey & Swiss on White Wheat Bread with Lettuce & Tomato Red Skin Potato Salad Mixed Fruit Cup Yogurt Mayonnaise

12/15 Tuna Salad on a Club Roll with Lettuce and Tomato Marinated Vegetable Salad Orange or Banana

12/16 Ham & Swiss on a Baby Kaiser Roll with Lettuce & Tomato Raisins Yogurt Mustard

12/19 Chicken Salad on Pita Marinated Bean Salad Pear or Apple Yogurt

12/20 Roast Beef with Cheddar Cheese on 12 Grain Bread Coleslaw Banana or Orange Mustard

12/21 Grilled Chicken Patty on Whole Wheat Hamburger Roll with Lettuce & Tomato Carrot Raisin Pineapple Salad Rice Pudding Mayonnaise

12/22 Turkey & Swiss on White Wheat Bread With Lettuce & Tomato Red Skin Potato Salad Mixed Fruit Cup Yogurt Mayonnaise

12/23 Tuna Salad on a Club Roll With Lettuce and Tomato Marinated Vegetable Salad Orange or Banana

12/26 Egg Salad on White Wheat Bread w/Lettuce and Tomato Peaches Chocolate Pudding

12/27 Chicken Salad on Pita Marinated Bean Salad Pear or Apple Yogurt

12/28 Roast Beef with Cheddar Cheese on 12 Grain Bread Coleslaw Banana or Orange Mustard

12/29 Grilled Chicken Patty on Whole Wheat Hamburger Roll Lettuce & Tomato Carrot Raisin Pineapple Salad Rice Pudding Mayonnaise

12/30 Tuna Salad on a Club Roll with Lettuce and Tomato Marinated Vegetable Salad Orange or Banana

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Health & Physical Activities

Blood pressure screening……. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Brandywine Senior Center

EXERCISE WITH ERIC

Mondays 10:45 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.

Wednesdays 10:45 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.

Fridays 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.

(come give it a try for only $3.00)

Stretching, Walking,

And Balancing

Every Monday

LINE DANCING

w/ Joanne Brady

Well known dancer

9:30 a.m. — 10:30 a.m.

(only $2.00)

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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 8:00 WHITE ELEPHANT FUNDRAISER 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 1:00 Puzzles

2 9:30 Bingo 9:30 New Castle Farmers Market 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo No Exercise Class

5 9:30 Bingo 9:30 Line Dance 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo No Exercise Class

6 7:30 Rockettes in New York 9:30 Tai Chi 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 11:45 Lunch 1:00 Puzzles

7 9:30 Bingo 9:30 Blood Pressure 10:45 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

8 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 1:00 Puzzles

9 9:30 Bingo 10:00 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:30 Wreath Decorating

NO AFTERNOON BINGO

12 9:30 Bingo 9:30 Line Dance 10:45 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:30 Card Games 12:45 Bingo

13 9:30 Tai Chi 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 11:45 Lunch 1:00 Puzzles Christmas Gala and

Dinner Dance

14 9:30 Bingo 10:45 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

15 9:30 Aldi’s Market & Gabe’s Discount Store 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 1:00 Puzzles

16 9:30 Bingo 10:00 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

19 9:30 Bingo 9:30 Line Dance 10:45 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

20 9:30 Tai Chi 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 11:45 Lunch 1:00 Puzzles

21 9:30 BIG BINGO 9:30 Blood Pressure 10:45 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:30 Holiday Sing Along

NO AFTERNOON BINGO

22 9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 1:00 Puzzles

23 9:30 Bingo 10:00 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

26

The Center is Closed

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9:30 Monday Bingo 9:30 Tai Chi 9:30 Billiards 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

28 9:30 Bingo 10:45 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

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9:30 Billiards 9:30 Painting Ceramics 11:00 Arianna’s Gourmet Café West Chester, PA 1:00 Puzzles

30

9:30 Bingo 10:00 Exercise Class 11:45 Lunch 12:45 Bingo

DECEMBER 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS