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New year memories, upcoming give-back-Tuesdays, and an old favorite is back!

Happy New Year! This day has so many fond memories and is one of the best and most fun days of my life. My Dad would start cooking early in the morning, all of his delicious southern recipes. Black-eyed peas were always one of his favorite dishes. Tradition says that we cook them to bring good luck, and cooking collards on this day are green like money and will ensure you a financially prosperous new year. New Year’s Day was an excellent time to get together and just have a great time. Of course, the food was always delicious, but it was more than just cooking the food for luck and prosperity. It was a day of laughter, games, and reminiscing. We looked forward to this day as some of the dishes my Dad cooked he only prepared on this day. I miss my Dad always, but I miss him the most this day as he always made sure this day was memorable for all of us. So enjoy your black-eyed peas, but enjoy your family more as family is the best gift of life.

Ok, ok, enough of the mushy stuff. Let’s see what’s Rollin’ on the River this month.

I want to start the year off in the giving mood. If you want to help out in the community, the Rainbow Cattle company has a non-profit you can donate to almost every Tuesday. Not only can you donate, but you can eat dinner for $5 and win killer prizes. If you have never gone, you really should. It’s so much fun. Even if you cannot attend, you can still donate to each non-profit through their websites or just drop the money off at the Rainbow Cattle Company. Not only are you going to have a great time, but you are helping out your community.

Here are this month’s non-profits:

Jan 11: Friends of Fife Creek

They do ongoing creek cleanup here in Guerneville, restoring habitat, trash patrol, and planting plants native to the area.

Jan 18: Friends of Stumptown

This is a group to help produce fun events in Guerneville, like the parades and nights of lights. They used to do the fireworks but are now going to do drone lighting in the future.

Jan 25: Russian River Sisters General Fund

Their mission is to spread joy and goodwill throughout our community. They raise money to go into a grant fund. The money is then made available to under-funded charity groups and organizations.

All three are worthy non-profits if you’re looking for a write-off while having a good time.

What’s going on at the library?

River Friends of the Library just completed a successful fundraiser last month at the library. It was a special bake sale and book sale. They offered some homemade wreaths also the community chipped in with baking. They would like to thank everyone involved for helping make this event a success.

Where to eat?

We’ve got a new restaurant in town. Well, not new but reopened. Agriculture at Dawn Ranch. Not sure when their hours will change, but it’s only Friday and Saturday right now. The ambiance and food are wonderful. Reservations are not mandatory but suggested. Lots of great starters and entrees. So good I went two weekends in a row.

What’s happening at the Russian River Senior Center?

15010 Armstrong Woods Road

Learn Basic Computer Skills and earn a FREE Android tablet! Call 707-823-1640 x404 to sign up.

Lunches: Wednesdays, noon – 1 p.m.: Jan 6 & 20, to-go meals prepared by in-house chefs, suggested donations $4.00/seniors, $6.50 for those under 60; Jan 12 & 26, to-go meals prepared by the unrivaled Saucy Mama (I promise you I didn’t pick that word, but I kinda like it) $12 per plate, set price. Every Friday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Brown Bag lunches and/or five frozen entrees with milk and fruit from Meals on Wheels. Donations gladly accepted. All lunches first-come, first-served.

Upcoming activities include parties, field trips, quilting, writing, painting, and tai chi; for details go to their Facebook page @RussianRiverSeniorResourceCenter or their website at:

https://WestCountyServices.org/Events/RussianRiverSeniorResource Center.

Covid testing available every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments recommended. To sign up, go to cur.tv/Guerneville or call 888-702-9042.

So that’s what’s “rollin’ on the river”

I leave you with a quote,

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”

-Vern McCellan

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