Saratoga News

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Contest proves seniors have much to be happy about

By Mary Ann Cook

HAPPINESS THEME: A definite theme emerged at the Happiness Contest sponsored by the Saratoga Senior Center, initiated by computer guru Maggi Ferguson. Seniors were charged with writing briefly about what makes them happy--now. The main theme, to no surprise, was helping others.

One 95-year old, Cecilia Frizell, felt happiness was living independently, with an offspring checking in daily. "I am still active and I do not feel forgotten in the busy lives all of you live," she said. Independence and continuing in the social pipeline turned out to be equally important.

Spending time with friends and family was a recurring theme as well. Fran Wasserman wrote about visiting a friend regularly at the Alzheimer's Center, feeding her lunch and connecting with other residents besides. "Their gift to me is that I leave the nursing facility happier than when I came in to visit my friend."

Lettie Tuggle relished having her own time schedule for the first time in her life. In earlier years she worked according to the schedule of others. Now she harkens to her own time frame, deciding what has to be done and when. The only exception cited was meeting doctor's appointments faithfully.

Elaine Brett described happiness as a perfect day: sitting in the sun with her cat and a book that has her totally absorbed--except when she's checking out the birds and the bees. Satisfying companions don't always have to be human. Other happiness guidelines included living in the present, maintaining a sense of humor and embracing the positive.

So many seniors suffer from depression that Ferguson felt it was important to challenge them to dig deeper to recognize and appreciate the things that make them happy, instead of dwelling on the downside of aging, such as losses and diminished capacity. Sylvia Lianides summed it up nicely: "We are all basically in the same boat and help each other to keep afloat."

SCOTTISH MBA: Joan Gomersall is just back from a jaunt over the pond. Impetus of the trip was to attend the graduation ceremony of daughter Jennifer, who earned an MBA from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jennifer's undergrad degree was from Humboldt State.

Since then she has been working as an environmental engineer for Louisiana Pacific. Heriot U. has a program designed for those who have been holding down jobs, and Jennifer liked the idea of studying in a foreign country.

At the ceremony many of the grads wore kilts and they were all bonked on the head with a cap as they knelt in front of chancellor Susan Greenfield, who incidentally is a baroness. While in Edinburgh the group visited the Royal Yacht Britannia.

While in London, Joan successfully tested out the endurance of her new knee, while walking through museums, the Tower and Westminster Abbey. Jennifer's friend Mark Jordan accompanied Joan on the transatlantic trip. The threesome had tea at Harrods among throngs of Christmas shoppers to cap off the visit.

PERENNIAL SANTA: Ed Porter ho-hos himself through the holidays playing Santa Claus, a role he's undertaken for many years for many different groups. He plays the Fat Man for the city of Hillsborough, where three of his four daughters live.

He also dispenses cheer and gifts at the Rotary Club's party for less privileged children. So his regular gigs cover a wide economic spectrum. Many of the youngest tots are frightened, not knowing what to expect. Often the requests from the needier children are heartbreaking.

Hillsborough requests, of course, are a different kettle of lobsters altogether. One request there from a 6-year-old girl Porter remembers vividly. She asked nothing for herself, declaring firmly, "I don't need anything, Santa. But would you please bring our maid a BMW this year?"

NEWLY MINTED: Jewelry designer Ann Johnson has created a silver charm of the newly restored McWilliams House for the Saratoga Heritage Collection. It can also be worn as a pendant or lapel pin. Saratoga History Museum has a sample. Peggy Schoppe, museum shop manager, is the contact at 408.867.9229. Price is $25, $22.50 for SHF members.

HOLIDAY FIRST: For the first time the Foothill Club held a holiday open house, and the event was rated a thoroughgoing success, according to organizers and guests. Money raised will be used for maintenance of the club's historic building. Sounds like a repeat may be in the offing.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to mac@impruve.com.