Search Results for: bingo night at the mansion

I never imagined myself at this point to be calling regular Friday night bingo games, at the Mansion or anywhere else. But it has become important to me, and to Maria. Friday afternoon, I ride around looking for interesting prizes, and the Army Of Good regularly sends prizes of their own choosing (the Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, N.Y., Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Maria and I go together, it is something we both do and look forward to in ways that surprise both of us. If we miss a  week, we hear about it the next week.

I have become skilled in picking out Bingo prizes the residents like and want, and our policy is that everyone gets a prize, whether they win a game or not. On average, about 10 to 12 residents play. At the Mansion, 6 p.m. is the heart of the evening.

Tonight, Peggie (left) won two games but I saw Ellen (right) pining for the stuffed dog.  So she got one and Peggy got a bunch of other things.

I turned around and the two of them wanted me to take their photo, they were so happy. It was a pleasure, the sight warmed my heart. It is such a joy to be able to bring warmth and happiness, even for a few minutes.

I am working to send a dozen residents and four aides on a boat ride with dancing and lunch aboard a boat from the Lake George Steamboat Authority. We did it last year, and the residents are still talking about it and begging me to go again.

It costs $43 a person on the Lac Du Saint Sacrement steamship. Last year, we danced and whooped it up and exhausted everyone for days. But I saw so much joy on the faces of the residents I want to do it again. I don’t know how exactly how many residents can come it would be between seven and ten, plus several aides.

Most of the residents can’t handle a trip like that, and as it is many will be on walkers or even riding in wheelchairs. So they need support.

i think the trip will cost between $500 and $600, I’d like to give them enough to buy a small souvenir or photo at the Steamboat Company gift shop.

If you can or wish to help, you can send a donation to the Gus Fund/Boat Ride, c/o Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. And thanks.

P.S. Kelly hopes to move out of her tent on August 11, when the people now living in the trailer she wants to rent are expected to leave. With all of this rain and humidity, she and her grandson and daughter have had a brutal week living in their tent.

I’ll be there with a camera when she moves into the trailer and thanks so much for your support. It is better to do good than to argue about what good is.

 

 

Friday night was Bingo night for Maria and I at the Mansion, we called about seven games in little over an hour and Peggie won one of the special prizes we have assembled for bingo nights. She just adored the Pink Bunny and we were all having fun so we decided to make a short film about the Pinky Bunny Meeting Osgood and beginning a new life.

Basically, the film shows me and the Pink Bunny having a conversation about her new life with Mrs. Osgood. Something quite new for me. Peggie got right into it, so did the bunny.

I think it requires no further explanation. Come and see. Even Red joined in. Maria started it, but was too dignified to stay with it. I on the other hand, plunged right in.

 

 

It is a surprise for me to see how much stuffed animals mean to the residents of the Mansion, coming off of a very trying and very hot week. The weather turned beautiful today and everybody felt lighter. Mary, Peggie’s   Bingo mate, won a hawk that actually sounds like a hawk. She did a cameo in the video at the end.

I love Peggie, she is a tremendous presence in the Mansion, and a very distinct personality. She does not ever give up on life. And she loves Bingo. Maria and i have come to relish our Friday bingo nights, and so do the residents I think. Another full house tonight, and everybody is a winner.

If you wish to write to Peggie, you can do so by sending your letters to Peggie, c/o The Mansion, 11 S.Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. They love stuffed animals there, and Peggie has a bed full.

You can also support my work at the Mansion by contributing to it: The Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz. P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Every bit helps and is put to good use.

Don’t forget to check out the new Mansion Amazon Wish List, we are planning a spectacular summer, as you can see by the list. There has not been one like it.

The Mansion Wish List started at 14 items, half are gone, they range in price from $4.99 to $18. Fun stuff, as you can see.

Even pretzel baking mix! ($10.39) That will be a memorable activity hour. And enjoy the video, I have not ever done one quite like it either.

 

 

 

 

Bingo at the Mansaion

Maria and I called the weekly Friday Bingo game at the Mansion, we had a full house and ran out of bingo cards. Sylvie came into the dining room to tell me that she didn’t care to play bingo – a young lover had played it before he died – but she had finished writing letters to all of her friends who write to her from the blog.

These letters are so important to Sylvie, she talks about them all the time, and we are working with her to try to make sure they are all stamped and addressed properly, many were getting returned. She said she is so grateful for her friends.

You can write to Sylvie c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. And thanks, Sylvie is one of the best portrait subjects I have  ever had.