Staff Report
Local churches and the Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley made sure the holiday season was celebrated festively at the Buellton Senior Center
On Nov. 21 and Dec. 19, the monthly “Mandate” Dinner was transformed into a luncheon enjoyed by a full house of appreciative people and served by enthusiastic church youth group members of all ages. Three local churches hosted these luncheons: Valley Christian Fellowship, the SYV Presbyterian Church, and St. Mark’s in the Valley.
At the end of the Dec. 19 luncheon Christmas carols were sung, which put everyone into a holiday mood. As attendees were leaving, they were presented with a beautiful bag full of sweet treats such as chocolate Santas, marshmallow snowmen, candy canes and hot chocolate mix plus holiday mugs, pot holders & kitchen towels.
In between the two Mandate Holiday lunches was the monthly Senior Dinner on Nov. 27, hosted by the Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley. This club began 60 years ago and is the oldest Rotary Club in the valley. Their motto is “Service over Self,” and the club members at this dinner put that motto into action, as Jim Vreeland and Gary Schoen prepped a tasty dinner prepared by Ryan Morrell’s Catering.
Club members serving were Jackie Vreeland, Richard Barca, Greg and Jackie Pensa, Karen Brown, Kelly and Dave Hunziker, and Julia Schoen. Also helping with the event were center staffers Wanda Nelson, Linda Linton, Jim Nichols, Gracie Love and Executive Director Pam Gnekow, and board member Bernice Small.
