April 7, 2005

And the winner is…

Almaden Café provides fun and food for seniors

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Besides breaking bread together, a good time was had by all during the Almaden Senior Nutrition Program at Café Almaden.

good time was had at all at Almaden Café. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Monday through Friday, delicious meals are served to seniors by nutrition coordinator Nancy Hoke. This past week, a flat-screen TV [donated by Circuit City at Almaden Plaza] was raffled off to participants who attended all 21 luncheons the past two months. Hoke arranged the event as part of her continuous effort to add entertainment and surprises to the program.

To add to the gaiety, Glenn Weberg, a keyboardist with style from Mt. View, entertained with renditions of “As Time Goes By,” “All My Exes Live in Texas” and “Don’t go Under the Apple Tree.” Weberg had toes tapping and even a few seniors dancing in the aisles at the Almaden Winery Room overlooking the park. Weberg substituted after a scheduled accordion player unexpectedly cancelled.

“This is wonderful,” said Gerry Gamma, winner of the color TV. “I wish all of you could win but I did. Now I just have to figure out how to get it home.”

Many of the seniors who attend the luncheon are regulars but there were also a few first timers.

Stephen Popovich had just finished computer training at the Almaden Senior Center and decided to stop in for a quick lunch. Popovich was with GE for 38 years and before that was a fighter pilot for the Army and Navy and saw combat in Iwo Jima.

Nutrition coordinator Nancy Hoke presents winner Gerry Gamma with the prize—a flat-screen TV.

Jewel Ghafourifar is a regular at the luncheons but does double duty at the center teaching belly dancing for the Almaden Senior Program. Her class targets those with no experience and is appropriate for anyone that has an interest in belly dance whether for fitness or performing or just to have a good time.

San Jose natives Joe and Dolores Hernandez attended and plan to come again. Dolores shared that Joe’s ancestors worked in the Almaden Quicksilver Mines over a century ago. He remembers hunting for jack rabbits years ago in the area before tracts of homes covered the open landscape.

“What makes this so special for me is the people,” said Hoke as she served up meatloaf, potatoes and the trimmings to the nutritious meal. “They’re like family to me. What ever I can do to make this fun for them I try to do.”

And by the hoots and hollers for the winner and the dancing to Weberg’s swing music, it’s working. These seniors are have a great time.

Almaden Senior Nutrition Program serves meals at Café Almaden Monday through Friday at noon in the Almaden Winery at 5730 Chambertin Drive. A calendar of monthly meals is available. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Call 979-7820 to schedule attendance. There is a $2 suggested donation for those 60 and older.