By Noreen Santaluce
The old saying “Great Oaks from little acorns grow” is very appropriate for the growth of the Mid County Senior Center’s Tuesday Night Live. Four years ago, Tony Alonzo came up with the idea of combining the large Senior Center building that was always empty on Tuesday evenings with the need for more socializing among seniors. He was given a reluctant O.K. by the Board of Directors to try it for two weeks.
On a Tuesday evening in May of 2009, Tony, Donna Fernandez, Alice Crawford and Nancy Kleck opened the doors of the Senior Center to a group of 18 men and women who spent the evening socializing and playing board games and ping pong. Light refreshments were served and a new custom was started.
The original four were joined by Hedy Mowrey, who organized the games and set up the tables. Jim Bowman, Rocky Kountz, Helen Hienz and Amira Spendlove were also volunteering their services. Word spread that this was an enjoyable way to spend a Tuesday evening and the crowd grew larger each week. The project was still on a “Let’s try it another week” basis.
The refreshments soon progressed into a home cooked style dinner prepared by Donna, Alice and Hedy using their home-style recipes, and Jim Bowman introducing his gourmet style cuisine. By August, knowledge of this event had been spread via an article in The Capitola Times, a notice in the News Letter and by word of mouth. The attendance had grown to 35 to 40 attendees each week and Tuesday Night Live was here to stay. Carolee Burrows and her ukulele group “Side by Side by Side by Side” were providing entertainment twice a month. Helen Hienz was overseeing the Dominoes games and there was a large sing-along group.
Today, four years later, attendance has grown to 65 to 80 each week and as many as 130 to 180 on special occasions. There is a salad bar, a serving line of six men and women behind the chaffing pans set up on the long buffet table, punch bowls, coffee and tea on a side table and a dessert table, all for the price of $7. People start arriving at 4:30, salad is served and the buffet table is opened when Tony rings the ranch style dinner bell. Carolee is there twice a month with her expanded band now called “All Shook Up” and Helen has tables of dominoes players. Other games are available. The event is open to the public and people of all ages are seen enjoying the dinner with the members of the Senior Center.
In addition to bringing joy and good food to many people, TNL brings in more proceeds to benefit the Center than any of the other regular events. To achieve this, Hedy Mowrey brings her expertise in careful shopping and excellent cooking into play in the kitchen, Tony and Jim Bowman bring in the groceries, Donna prepares the punch and tea, Rocky takes over the desk and the crew goes into action.
Regular volunteers that come each week include: Rouchann (Rocky) Kountz, Joanna Phillips, Wanda Siggers, Sheila Anaya, Robert Sportz, Carolyn Hubbard, Linda Minton, Larry McDaniel, Patricia Carter, Mickey Moon, Alice Colano, Honora Robertson, Loren Washburn, Mike De Haydu, with Enrique Ponce always there to help.
Today, Tony is personally thankful for all the volunteers that have helped him carry out his idea and all those who are carrying it on today. He is optimistic about the future of this enterprise and is there every week to work wherever needed and to enjoy the interaction and support of those who attend each week.