August 2021 Newsletter

Dear Senior Centre Members,

It’s with great regret that we the members of the Board have decided not to open the Centre on September 7, 2021. The continuance of COVID 19 and the Delta variant and the new order to use masks once again leaves us no choice but to wait until we have a green light to continue with our many planned programs. The Board was so looking forward to seeing our Centre filled with your laughter and your many stories, but I know you’ll save this for when we can open with no hesitation.

In the meantime continue to meet with your friends in small groups, give hugs, listen to great music, take in a movie, go out for dinner or lunch, walk in our great Parksville Park (there is no place like it), get your vaccination, and encourage others to do the same. This Pandemic will not leave us unless we all take care of each other and trust the science that the vaccine will work. At the moment there are 398 cases of COVID on the Island and that is too many. Most seniors that I’ve talked to have had both shots and that has made me very happy, I know we won’t be the ones getting sick, let’s keep it this way by obeying the rules, and wearing our masks.

August is coming to a close and many fruit trees have wonderful ripe fruit, plums, being one of them. I freeze plums so I can use them all winter. One of my favourite plum recipes is “Plum Torte”. I use 20 plums cut in half and pitted for this recipe and I freeze them in their own bags ready to use. My friends and family love this treat every time I make it and so I’m sharing it with all of you.

I will continue to send you a newsletter each month and hopefully I will have better news for you next month. Please take care of yourselves and enjoy the sunshine we are having with the cooler temperatures.

Your editor
Bev Swann

Library Update
– by Kate Walter

We are still planning on having the book sale after we reopen so hold onto your extras. We are even anticipating combining it with a bake sale to raise funds for the centre.

There are three ways to contact the centre.
By phone – office (250) 586-5999 or kitchen (250 248-3200. Website at: https://parksville-seniors-centre.org/
Facebook: search for Parksville Seniors Drop-in Centre

PLUM TORTE
– recipe from Bev Swann’s kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1 cup Flour
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• 2 Eggs
• 20 Plums; halves, and pitted
• TOPPING 
  • Sugar
  • Lemon juice
  • Watkins Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Cream sugar and butter. Add flour, baking powder, eggs, and beat well.
2. Spoon batter into 9” spring form pan. Place plum halves skin side up on top of batter.
3. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and lemon juice.
4. Bake at 350°F., for 1 hour.
   Batter will rise and cover plums.
5. Remove and cool, refrigerate or freeze if desired.
   Or cool to lukewarm and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. To serve frozen tortes, defrost and reheat briefly at 300°F.