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MAN — At the July 26 meeting START (Seniors Taking Active Roles Today), elected officers, celebrated birthday and enjoyed lunch.

According to Frank Thompson, START president, the decoration theme was “beach”. “The tables were laden with items relating to hanging out at the beach — blue cloths, white placemats, napkins that looked like bubbly water, sea shells, folded beach towels, flip flops and the centerpiece was a lighthouse with a sail boat. Decorative inner tubes were used thru out, and a beach ball was sitting on the registration table,” said Thompson. “With all the decorations, the only thing missing to complete the scene was the ocean — maybe next time?”

Thompson opened the meeting by asking Robert Perry to pray. After the prayer, members and guests enjoyed a delicious buffet luncheon.

“Of course, there is a lot of chatter while eating to catch upon all the ‘goings-on,’” said Thompson.

Although several START members have July birthdays, only two were present. While Alice Harrison played the piano, the group sang the “Happy Birthday” song to Perry and Thompson. Other members with a July birthday are Nancy Garrett, Billie Noel and Betty Pozega.

During the business session, an election of officers was held and all the incumbents were re-elected: Jean Wintz as secretary, Alice Harrison as treasurer, Geraldine Bunch as vice-president, and Frank Thompson as president.

Donna McNeely talked briefly on having an instructor from Williamson to conduct a driver’s safety class. In the past, these classes have been well attended since most insurance companies will give a rate reduction to those successfully completing the class. In order to have the class, the instructor requires 25-30 people.

Elizabeth Tackett gave a summary of the children’s summer reading program at the Buffalo Creek Library. Friends of the Library helped finance the party held at the Man swimming pool for the kids at the end of the program and Thompson announced that the Friends of the Library had purchased a scanner for the library.

In other START news: Thompson is planning to give special recognition to the male START members at the August meeting. The family of Bill and Emma Mitchell had made a sizable memorial contribution to START with a request that the money be used to recognize people that have “given back” without having received recognition. Vicki Krantz Gibson is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the August meeting. Names were taken for the last order for START t-shirts.

Prior to the close of the meeting, a drawing for door prizes was held. Door prize winners were Gretchen Donahue, Jane Grimmette, and Mae Osborne.

Rev. Sites, along with others, conducted a special healing prayer while they held a lap quilt to take to Homer Williamson who is presently residing at the Logan Park Care Center.

The 38 members signing the attendance register were Patricia Doczi, George and Dotty Doczi, Geraldine Bunch, Alice Harrison, Dorothy Altizer, Pauline Jeffrey, Garnet Triplett, Terry Cline, JoAnne Hensley, Barbara Spears, Jean Wintz, Elmer and Lounice Jeffrey, Jane Grimmette, Donna McNeely, Merlin and Delores Spears, Lessie Bailey, Arthur and Barbara Brunty, Angeline Bassham, Mae Osorne, Elizabeth Tackett, Maxine Justice, Mike and Gretchen Donahue, Paul and Donna Thibault, Sherry Frye, Shirley and Zettie Brown, Robert Perry, Betty Gentry, Rev. Randy and Judy Sites, and Frank and Elaine Thompson.

START’s next meeting will be at noon Thursday, August 23, in the fellowship hall of Bruce McDonald Memorial United Methodist Church.

“The doors are open, including an elevator, and you are most welcome to attend,” said Thompson.