To the Editor:

In the winter of 2015,  a small group of dedicated Hilltowners gathered to discuss the possibility of starting nutritious congregate lunches for seniors in the Berne Hilltown Senior Center. Today the meals continue under the auspices of the Albany County Department of Aging and are offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

One-and-one-half years later, these same selfless volunteers are donating their time to keep these thrice-weekly lunches going. Since one of the volunteers, Patricia Lightbody, has recently decided to retire from co-facilitating the program, we would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her devotion to the Hilltown Seniors.

Every lunchtime she was able to be there, Pat welcomes us, one by one, with the biggest, most sincere smile! Pat was instrumental in gaily decorating our tables around various holiday themes. She amused us many times with well-prepared anecdotes and jokes as our lunch was being set out.

In addition, Pat helped orchestrate many before- or after-lunch activities, including basket-weaving, painting, bluebird-box building, floral design, and chair yoga.

Pat will continue to visit our lunch programs at the Hilltown Senior Center to lead certain activities after lunch. Her co-facilitator, Linda Hodges, will continue to moderate the lunch program with the help of many other volunteers.

To order your lunch with us, please call Linda at (518) 872-0940 twenty-four hours ahead. Linda will greet you warmly as you enter our five-star lunch venue, enjoy a delicious meal and camaraderie extraordinaire!

More participants, as well as volunteers are always welcome.

John and Susan Miner

East Berne