- Albion Senior Center aka Lorna Reeder Senior Center - I had the opportunity to visit the Lorna Reeder Senior Center in Albion, Idaho last week. I am not a senior, but I was there on business to provide some information to local seniors. I'd never been to Albion before. It's a ways out there - past Twin Falls and Burley. When you are on I-84 heading east, you look to the right and you see fields and hills and mountains. Well there are adorable little towns out in the middle of those mountains. The senior center was renamed the Lorna Reeder Senior Center in 2010. This is a clip from her obituary .... "At the time of her passing, she was site manager for the Albion Senior Center. Her dedication and hard work led to the construction of the new center in Albion which honored her by being named The Lorna Reeder Senior Citizen Center. She enjoyed living in Albion and made many wonderful friends." There is a photo of her when you walk in the door. You sort of know walking in that these are going to be good, caring, friendly people. And they were. They were a lovely, welcoming folk. They are only open for lunch one day a week (Wednesday) and lunch is $5 for seniors, and $6 for people under 60. This particular week was the Thanksgiving lunch as they were going to be closed the following Wednesday for Thanksgiving. The tables were all decorated with Thanksgiving tablecloths and decorations and candles and dishes of candy corn. There were 2 ladies hard at work in the kitchen who had been cooking since the day before. And their hard work was evident. They made so much food - a variety of things, and a lot of it! Turkey, ham, green bean casserole, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, fruit salad with bananas and fruit cocktail and apples and whipped cream, a "pumpkin chiffon" cake with a nutty crust, and a store-bought blueberry cheesecake. There were also veggie trays, cranberry slices, deviled eggs, etc. that were brought in by guests. Drinks were water, milk, coffee and a tropical fruit juice. Lunch was delicious! Your classic, perfect Thanksgiving meal. As with all senior centers I have been to for lunch, they do a blessing before the meal and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the chairman of the board made some announcements. There was Christmas music playing from a vintage stereo, there is a piano in the corner, and clean bathrooms in the back. I'm not sure if I'll ever get back to Albion, but I will remember this little town and a delicious meal with very kind people. read more

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