NOTICES
SSI FOLLOWS PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT CLASS CANCELLATIONS
When in doubt about whether a class will be held during bad weather, check the Portland Public Schools (PPS) website, www.pps.net. If PPS classes are canceled that day, SSI classes will be canceled also. If PPS has not canceled their classes, SSI classes will be held as scheduled.
When in doubt about whether a class will be held during bad weather, check the Portland Public Schools (PPS) website, www.pps.net. If PPS classes are canceled that day, SSI classes will be canceled also. If PPS has not canceled their classes, SSI classes will be held as scheduled.
Three Board Members-at-Large Needed
Members-at-Large are tasked with proposing or presenting one class each quarter and participating on the curriculum committee. They also do extra tasks on an as needed basis, such as help with special events.
Interested members should email Sandy Foran at ssf@nwonline.net. She will be happy to answer questions and explain more.
Update Your Contact Information
Please notify SSI Membership (below) when your contact information (mailing/email address and/or phone number) changes. We appreciate your help in reducing our duplicated mailing costs!
Email: SSIMembership2@gmail.com... or....
PO Box 80744, Portland, OR 97280
Please notify SSI Membership (below) when your contact information (mailing/email address and/or phone number) changes. We appreciate your help in reducing our duplicated mailing costs!
Email: SSIMembership2@gmail.com... or....
PO Box 80744, Portland, OR 97280
Picnic Coordinator Needed
Guidelines for SSI Annual Picnic
Jim Laughton
Fri, Jan 25, 2019
Each year, on the last Friday in July, we have had our annual picnic for the members and guests. There is no charge for the picnic other than to ask the members to bring a favorite dish to share. In addition to the pot luck, SSI usually provides German sausages with the fixings and an additional dish; chicken or whatever looks good. SSI picked up the cost of these dishes. During the picnic we had our book exchange which consisted of books brought by the members and taken home by the members. We also had an auction. The auction consisted of items brought by the members and auctioned off. The proceeds of the auction went to support the SSI Scholarship Fund for Portland Community College students.
Jim and Alice Laughton and Bob Clink were responsible for organizing the picnic. Unfortunately, this will be the last year that we can count on them putting on the picnic. If it is to continue next year we will have to have someone step forward and organize it. What follows will be comments on the picnic and what has been done in the past.
1. The location of the picnic has changed over the years from Willamette River Park, the Portland Rose Garden, and most recently the Mary S Young Park in West Linn. The point is that the location is not fixed and a new location might be welcomed. What is important to remember is that a reservation for the space needs to be in place very early in the year. For example, we had an SSI West Linn Resident make the reservation with the City of West Linn for the space at Mary S Young Park in February.
2. Food is the next consideration. Again, the choice is open. Pick one or two items that will be paid for by SSI. It could be sandwiches, baked chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, or whatever. The chicken served this year was not a good choice. Many people did not think breaded chicken strips were a healthy food choice and they were probably right. How many people attend? The figure of 80 people has been used and the pot luck makes up for errors. For the pot luck you can ask the members to bring salads, hot/cold dishes, desserts based on the letter of the last name. An example: A through H (hot/cold dish), I through N (Salads), and O through Z (deserts). It is good to remember that not everyone will bring a dish, which is okay. The problem with that system is that some of the people wanted to bring something else. In response we just gave everybody a choice to bring whatever they wanted. We could have ended up with 60 desserts. We didn’t; the variety was always good.
3. Equipment that may be needed. Each year we have taken 5 tables from the SMILE Center in Sellwood. We picked them up on the Thursday night before the picnic and returned them to center after the picnic on Friday afternoon. Check with the SMILE Coordinator to set up the permission to use the tables. They have always been good in letting us use their tables. You will probably need a small truck or large car to transport the tables. Jim Laughton will make sure his truck (an old Ford Ranger) is available to borrow. Take it for a couple of days.
4. SSI purchased two coolers, one for water and one for lemonade. Jim and Alice Laughton have them and will make sure you get them. They also have a number of table cloths that are good to use on park tables. There are also two coffee pots, one for coffee, the other for hot tea water. These are located at the SMILE Center and belong to SSI. The SSI SMILE Coordinator knows where they are. Also, at SMILE Center, we have the new sound system. You will need this for the auction and for guest speakers who attend the picnic. Remember to bring at least three extension cords; you will probably only need one, but play it safe.
5. There are also picnic supplies including cups, paper plates, napkins, salt and pepper, and plastic ware. These supplies are shared with other SSI events so before the picnic check to see what is available.
6. At the end of the picnic the tables are wiped down before returning them to SMILE. The table cloths are washed and ready for the following year. Someone always leaves behind a serving spoon, fork, or some other item; be prepared to send out an e-mail to look for the owner.
7. A final note. What has been done in the past does not need to be repeated. Innovative thinking is always a plus. The foregoing was only to inform you of what has been done, not what needs to be done.
Guidelines for SSI Annual Picnic
Jim Laughton
Fri, Jan 25, 2019
Each year, on the last Friday in July, we have had our annual picnic for the members and guests. There is no charge for the picnic other than to ask the members to bring a favorite dish to share. In addition to the pot luck, SSI usually provides German sausages with the fixings and an additional dish; chicken or whatever looks good. SSI picked up the cost of these dishes. During the picnic we had our book exchange which consisted of books brought by the members and taken home by the members. We also had an auction. The auction consisted of items brought by the members and auctioned off. The proceeds of the auction went to support the SSI Scholarship Fund for Portland Community College students.
Jim and Alice Laughton and Bob Clink were responsible for organizing the picnic. Unfortunately, this will be the last year that we can count on them putting on the picnic. If it is to continue next year we will have to have someone step forward and organize it. What follows will be comments on the picnic and what has been done in the past.
1. The location of the picnic has changed over the years from Willamette River Park, the Portland Rose Garden, and most recently the Mary S Young Park in West Linn. The point is that the location is not fixed and a new location might be welcomed. What is important to remember is that a reservation for the space needs to be in place very early in the year. For example, we had an SSI West Linn Resident make the reservation with the City of West Linn for the space at Mary S Young Park in February.
2. Food is the next consideration. Again, the choice is open. Pick one or two items that will be paid for by SSI. It could be sandwiches, baked chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, or whatever. The chicken served this year was not a good choice. Many people did not think breaded chicken strips were a healthy food choice and they were probably right. How many people attend? The figure of 80 people has been used and the pot luck makes up for errors. For the pot luck you can ask the members to bring salads, hot/cold dishes, desserts based on the letter of the last name. An example: A through H (hot/cold dish), I through N (Salads), and O through Z (deserts). It is good to remember that not everyone will bring a dish, which is okay. The problem with that system is that some of the people wanted to bring something else. In response we just gave everybody a choice to bring whatever they wanted. We could have ended up with 60 desserts. We didn’t; the variety was always good.
3. Equipment that may be needed. Each year we have taken 5 tables from the SMILE Center in Sellwood. We picked them up on the Thursday night before the picnic and returned them to center after the picnic on Friday afternoon. Check with the SMILE Coordinator to set up the permission to use the tables. They have always been good in letting us use their tables. You will probably need a small truck or large car to transport the tables. Jim Laughton will make sure his truck (an old Ford Ranger) is available to borrow. Take it for a couple of days.
4. SSI purchased two coolers, one for water and one for lemonade. Jim and Alice Laughton have them and will make sure you get them. They also have a number of table cloths that are good to use on park tables. There are also two coffee pots, one for coffee, the other for hot tea water. These are located at the SMILE Center and belong to SSI. The SSI SMILE Coordinator knows where they are. Also, at SMILE Center, we have the new sound system. You will need this for the auction and for guest speakers who attend the picnic. Remember to bring at least three extension cords; you will probably only need one, but play it safe.
5. There are also picnic supplies including cups, paper plates, napkins, salt and pepper, and plastic ware. These supplies are shared with other SSI events so before the picnic check to see what is available.
6. At the end of the picnic the tables are wiped down before returning them to SMILE. The table cloths are washed and ready for the following year. Someone always leaves behind a serving spoon, fork, or some other item; be prepared to send out an e-mail to look for the owner.
7. A final note. What has been done in the past does not need to be repeated. Innovative thinking is always a plus. The foregoing was only to inform you of what has been done, not what needs to be done.