Settling in for the season

AVIVA GOELMAN

Regular readers of this column know that I spent many years in Canada

and that when I moved to California, it was an important task that I

learn all about American holidays.

The American heritage is rich with holiday celebrations both

secular and religious. And of all of them, Thanksgiving is my

favorite. It’s a time when my family and friends gather and we

reflect on the past and create memories for the future.

A favorite Thanksgiving tradition of mine -- and I suspect it’s

popular in many homes -- is to have everyone come to the table and

share their stories of the past year, giving thanks for all the fun

and good things that have transpired in our lives. These very

personal traditions add color, I think, to the universal symbols of

Thanksgiving, which is why I like to keep the table sharing tradition

going, especially for my four grandchildren.

Of course, you’ll find all the holiday foods on our table: the

turkey, cranberries, stuffing, yams and pumpkin pie. And by the time

dinner is over, everyone is too full and lazy to leave for home. So

it’s at this time we gather around the fireplace and sing and rejoice

late into the evening. It is a wonderful, intimate human experience

to share with others.

These days, Thanksgiving is recognized more or less as the

unofficial beginning of the Christmas season, and some even believe

that Thanksgiving marks the arrival of Santa Claus. New York

department stores start the season with a parade. The day after

Thanksgiving, take time out of your busy schedule and join the first

crush of holiday shoppers flocking to the malls and shops.

At the Costa Mesa Senior Center, we also have our traditions.

There is our annual Thanksgiving luncheon. And, like my home

Thanksgiving celebration, there are plenty of stories and expressions

of thanks at each table. You can make a reservation for this

wonderful Nov. 26 event -- graciously sponsored by Surat Singh of

Angel’s Auto Spa -- by calling (949) 645-2356. Just $2 will reserve

your special place at one of our many tables at the Costa Mesa Senior

Center, at 695 W 19th St., Costa Mesa.

When you are at the senior center, please visit our gift shop. The

boutique is filling up with beautiful Christmas merchandise, and you

are sure to find a treasure or two. Shop early to pick up some great

gifts.

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends and for giving

thanks to the people and blessings in our lives, the senior center

would like to thank all those who have helped us during the year.

We extend our sincere thanks to Sandy Segerstrom-Daniels of C.J.

Segerstrom & Sons for being this year’s honorary chair for our annual

campaign drive, and to C.J. Segerstrom & Sons and Hoag Memorial

Hospital Presbyterian Community Medicine for always being there for

us.

We also want to express our deepest appreciation for the wonderful

generosity of our corporate contributors. They are: Alterman

Jewelers, Diedrich Coffee, the Richard & Elizabeth Steele Foundation,

the Health Emporium, Hazelrigg Risk Management, Salon Ecco and The

Daily Pilot for all the coverage and advertising of our events.

I want to particularly thank the Orange Coast College Foundation

for providing us with a space at the Robert B. Moore Theatre for the

staging of our benefit performances of “Late Nite Catechism.” Also,

our many benefactors who always participate in our activities, our

dedicated board members and the many volunteers who make such a

difference to the lives of our seniors deserve our enduring thanks.

The senior center could not function without any of these wonderful

individuals and companies. You are all vital in making the senior

center such an active place for our seniors.

The senior center strives each holiday season to make this time

extra special for our seniors. In that spirit, we have begun our

second annual senior gift chest drive. Please help this important

campaign by contributing afghans, candles, photo frames, old movie

videos, stationery with stamps and any other items suitable for

seniors. These gifts benefit homebound seniors and members attending

our senior center, many of whom would otherwise not receive a holiday

gift. All items must be new and in original boxes and marked “Senior

Gift Chest.” You can drop your gift donation at the senior center.

I want to personally wish you all a warm and happy Thanksgiving.

May you and those you love always enjoy the good things in life, and

as we look ahead to another year, we look forward to sharing the

senior center with you through this column.

* AVIVA GOELMAN is the executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior

Center and will write occasional columns about the center, its

members and senior issues.