Local radio personality Brent Apperson was on hand at the Prairie Pioneer Center for lunch on Wednesday, December 10. Apperson made the appearance to select the winner of the Center’s Pie Contest drawing.
Joyce Kobbo of Gothenburg was drawn as the winner of six pies from Eddyville baker Janella Clausen. The home-baked pastries will be available to Kobbo in any combination from one every six months to three at a time for any easy finish to a large family dinner, and she will be able to select from an estimated 30+ fillings from classic apple to raisin-cream.
Just under 150 tickets were sold for the raffle, raising $3,000, including donations for the Prairie Pioneer Center. Center board member Dave Patterson and his wife Bev set up the pie contest to help raise funds in support of the number of services the Center provides. Patterson noted that the Center has been struggling recently, and wanted to try something simple to help out.
Funding woes are par for the course at senior centers across the state. Custer County Supervisor Tammy Kleeb recently noted that a meeting of the South Central Area on Aging detailed a lack of new state funding for centers for several years running. Kleeb advised visiting the centers, joining them for meals if the opportunity is available.
Cathy Larson, Director of the Prairie Pioneer Center also recently highlighted the meals provided by the center. The menu changes daily, and is available at the center, by take out, and for delivery. Everyone is invited to enjoy lunch at the Center. A full meal from fruit cup to delicious main course, through smooth ice cream costs $7.00 for those 60 and over, $7.25 for delivered and carry-out meals, and $7.75 for those under 60 years old.
Larson also noted that if a person has recently suffered a medical set-back and cannot pay for lunch, up to 10 meals can be delivered free of charge.
Other activities at the center include pool every morning, and a variety of card and dice games throughout the month, including pitch, bridge, pinocle and bunco. Thursday, December 18, the Center will be hosting their annual Christmas Lunch, featuring Ham and traditional trimmings.
Larson thanks everyone for donations received both through the pie raffle and earlier kolache/scotcheroo sale. While additional fund raisers are in the works for the future, donations to the Center are always welcome – just $70 would cover meals delivered to someone in need. Those looking to help out can contact Larson at 308-872-6121. Daily menu and activity information can be found on the Prairie Pioneer Center Facebook Page.
