by Patria Baradi Pacis
Words aren’t enough to show how the Montauk seniors and this reporter feel about the happiness and welcome feeling that our young, energetic, tech savvy, multilingual, Executive Director Anna Ostroff from Ukraine has blessed us.
Anna is very talented and can multitask. She is also a photographer and a videographer. She loves to surprise the seniors by baking banana cake, scones and chocolate cookies. She enjoys decorating for holidays and other special occasions and is not afraid to try anything out of the ordinary.
Anna, who was recently just hired last April, somehow manages to finish all the tasks that a Director must do and still takes the time to eat with the seniors to get to know them better. The results? Seniors gain more confidence in themselves and become more independent.
Whenever a situation arises, Anna solves the matter by being calm and staying positive with words of encouragements during the two hours spent at the Center. She also recruits happy volunteers willing to play an instrument such as the guitar or piano and provides music sheets with printed lyrics so that the entire group end up singing, forgetting their shyness.
To help Anna run the Center smoothly, there is Chef Don Mendelson, Assistant Chef, Kalib Stern, Iris Mitchell President, William Schmidt, Vice President, Bruce Snipas, Treasurer, and the rest of the Members of the Board, Aster Stein, Chrissy Herbert, Beth Biondo and Dorothy Malik. I am sure that the seniors who do come are grateful and look forward to coming to a happy place where they can socialize and have fun and at the same time keep their mind alert and body healthier during the autumn years of their life.
The month of October is a bitter sweet moment at the Center. Just as the young-at-hearts are getting to know each other well, nature reminds them to go back to their warmer climates homes to avoid the ravages of Montauk winters.
The Center is open from 10:00 am to 2:00pm Monday to Friday and you must be 60 years and over. Suggested donation is $3.00. Lunch is served at noon. Activities are: Mondays – Meditation with Lydia Shaternik at 12:45-1:30pm, Tuesdays – Healing Circle with Margaret Iacone at 1:00pm, Wednesday – Mahjong at 1:00pm, Thursdays – Bingo with lots of prizes at 1:00pm (must have lunch in order to play. Cards are 75 cents each, two for $1, four for $1.50 or six for $2), Fridays – Chair Yoga with Michelle D’Amore at 11:00am and Mexican Dominoes at 1:00pm, scrabble, playing cards, puzzles, books and magazines are also provided.
For more info, kindly contact Anna at 631 668 1023 at least 24 hours in advance or e-mail her at mtksenctr@gmail.com. Check out Facebook and Instagram by downloading the Apps. For transportation, kindly call Kristina at 631 324 4443. The Center will provide a bus on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
August birthday celebrants were Jorge Arbelaez and Chef Don Mendelson. Both were happy to share their special Mocca cake with their friends. Happy Birthday Jorge and Bruce. May you have many more to come. See you next month!
