You Must Come Again

The term YMCA is normally linked with "Young Mens Christian Association". However, at least as far as the Torrance branch of this organization is concerned, the Association also caters to members who may be Young at Heart but are definitely categorised as "Seniors". Among its many groups, the South Bay YMCA on Sepulveda Boulevard has a very lively Senior Activities section. This section has its own office, located down a corridor on the left hand side just past the main desk. I had previously met with Senior Activities Coordinator, Carol Quinn, when doing an RSVP article on the "Huggy Bear" ladies and she suggested that I attend one of the Senior Luncheons that are held every week day at the Torrance YMCA building.

A typical lunch consists of Soup, Entree, Salad and Dessert along with a drink and a Bread Roll. Attendees are requested to make reservations the day before attending and the cost is only $2.50 for those 60 and over. If you are not yet 60 you can still attend for just $7.50 which, in my opinion is still a great bargain! Meals are catered off-site and then brought in and prepared by volunteers, like Art Erickson below, in a well appointed kitchen just across the corridor from the dining room and the dining area is adequately filled with tables seating six to eight people.

As you can see from the accompanying photographs the lunch is extremely well attended and you are bound to be made welcome by everyone in there even if you are a Newcomer to the event. I met Paul Bradley, sitting with his wife Moni. Paul and Moni had been attending these lunches for over seven years. Paul told me that he is the one who calls out the numbers during the Bingo sessions that are held after lunch has finished on Mondays and Wednesdays. I then met with Evelyn and Bob Bower who told me that they have been coming to these luncheons for several years. There is a menu published at the beginning of each month and Evelyn said that they usually come at least once a week depending on what meals are on offer. I found that Evelyn used to be a member of RSVP and was even one of those honored at an RSVP Annual Recognition Banquet a few years ago when she was involved for sixteen years with Meals on Wheels. I also found out that there were at least a dozen other members of RSVP in attendance today and there is no reason to think that this couldn't grow significantly after our members have read this article.

There is a special table for new attendees and these are generally introduced at the beginning of the meal and given the option of being served first before the other tables are called. Bill Field and Mary Jane Mayfield were sitting at this table and, although they have been coming to these luncheons for fifyeen years, Bill told me that they like sitting there because it gives them a chance to welcome any Newcomers that turn up. Bill said that he enjoyed coming to the YMCA because he has always liked to use their swimming pool.

Everybody seemed to be having a great time, meeting with friends and newcomers alike so I would truly recommend that you add this item to your calendar and come along.

Like I said at the beginning:

Click here for some photos.

Click here for some more photos.