Parks & Recreation Annual Report FY19-20

Homemade TreatsWith a Side of Friendship

Two members discovered they shared a hometown. Harris made a new friend, and they ended up traveling together. One member said she had been fghting depression before she joined the group, but was feeling much better. “It’s one of the best programs I’ve done in my recreation career so far,” Jones said. “Just to see the smile on their faces, to hear the stories that came out of this program.”

Beginning last fall, they dished out shrimp and grits, neck bones and rice, and scampi to diners. But the newly formed Warnersville Recreation Center Homemade Recipe Club did more than just fll bellies. It helped forge community and new friendships. The idea for the club came fromWarnersville Recreation Center Director Quentin Jones and Facilities Coordinator Chamreece Diggs. They were hoping to come up with a new reason to bring older adults into the recreation center and to make good use of the skills of long-time Recreation Assistant Wanda Johnson, a great cook and caterer. “We just wanted to tap into our staf and what they are best at,” Jones said. “Give staf the option to perfect their skills to whatever they are passionate about.” The club started with 10 women, many recruited by Johnson, in September 2019. Each week had a theme. Johnson brought in her extensive cook book library for sharing. Club members brought in ingredients. Once a month, they feasted. “The frst time I went I was blown way,” said Deborah Harris, who joined the group at Johnson’s invitation. “Wanda had a spread. Eggs, grits, tea. She had homemade jelly, bacon, sausage. I just couldn’t believe it. You talk about delicious. After I went the frst time there was no problem to get me to come back.” “It gave me another outlet. When you’re retired, you have to have a plan in place. You have to stay busy and you have to stay active,” Harris said.

The club quickly doubled in size. The group started developing a cook book. And members bonded.