As I step aside to make room for a new Senior Series President, there are many people I’d like to thank. First and foremost, the seniors in Scarborough who have supported the Senior Series Board and helped Senior Series grow into the quality resource and programming our mission statement speaks about. Week after week, you were there not only to help bring seniors together, but also to offer your help. Every week so many of you walked into the door asking “What can I do to help today?” Thanks also to the bingo volunteers.

Secondly, I’d like to thank the Desfosses family for their continuing generosity in offering the Hillcrest Community Center free of charge for the Series’ programming. Thanks also to Val Jacob and Community Services for its funding and never-ending support and trust and for allowing us flexibility and creativity in planning their programs. And, of course, my heartfelt thanks to the Senior Series board. It takes an enormous amount of time, dedication and effort to put these programs together. We’ve had many ups and downs and disappointments this past year, and I’m proud of how we worked together to work it out.

The highlight of my two years as president was no doubt the “Bring Your Grandchildren Day.” It was a pleasure to bring the town’s seniors and children together. The children were mesmerized watching the magician as were many of the adults. Seeing the two generations come together has been something I’ve been looking forward to. And now, the Bessworth Beginners Preschool have invited the town’s seniors to a “tea” on June 2.

We seniors are at a stage in our lives where everyone thinks they “know what’s best for us.” It’s a real challenge to maintain autonomy. I am a strong advocate of choices for seniors and to that end have encouraged and will continue to encourage seniors to make their own choices every day (including recreational activities). However, I feel that the media in general, though very supportive during the senior/community center referendum days, has done more harm to our cause for unity than any single person ever could by constantly focusing on the negative. My hope for the future of Scarborough seniors is that we will continue to be recognized as valuable assets in the community, and our needs will be met according to our wishes and not everyone else’s.

I will continue to be supportive and involved in Senior Series in any way I am asked to. My best wishes to all those who have been nominated for the Senior Series Board for the 2006-2007 season.

(For clarification, Senior Series is not a “group.” It is the name of Scarborough’s programming for its senior citizens and all seniors in Scarborough are and always have been welcome to attend).

Linda Bidler

Scarborough