6 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015 Lunch free hot lunches five days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Helping Hands, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and the Free Lunch program Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Free Lunch program also serves as a social function. Many people who come for lunch live alone and want some time with other people, accord- ing to Mann-Heintz. “Some people just don’t like cooking for just themselves,” she said. “It’s an important mental health factor. Anyone can come.” Several factors are responsi- ble for the decline of volun- teers. “The main reason we are los- ing volunteers is their age,” Mann-Heintz said. “The pro- David Dumas, Paula Harrison and April Dumas, volunteers gram has been going 19 years Universalist Fellowship, prepare to serve homemade soup and people who started out at the United Methodist Church kitchen on Dec. 23. when they were in their 60s or 70s are in their 80s and 90s good crew is between four and online, read the manual and take the test, pay your $10 for now. We have some attrition six people.” The volunteers who prepare the two-year license and print due to age and some people just get tired of the commitment. and serve food are required by the card out on your printer. We do have to draw from a state law to have food handler’s You can go online to Lane County Food Handlers, or just population of people who don’t cards. “It’s not difficult to get a Google it. have to work during the day. It “If you do dishes, help pour takes between 50 and 60 volun- food handlers card,” Mann- teers to run the program. A Heintz said. “You can go coffee and juice and clear Center arrive between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and prepare the lunch and the bread and desserts and then they serve and clean up between 12:30 and 1 p.m. “Most volunteers just do once a month. You don’t need to be associated with any of the churches or organizations. If you want to volunteer we can plug you into any group. We do ask you to make a commitment to the same day each month, such as first Tuesday, second Thursday.” The Free Lunch program is funded in part through an annu- from 1A from 1A reverend DuBose, my wife, spent the night there. She was in charge. “The Masonic Lodge was warm and comfortable and welcoming. It took a lot of work to get this going and we want to thank the Masons because we could not have done this without their having offered their building.” Some of the seven overnight guests showed up at the lodge, at 84910 Highway 101 South, and some received a ride from the warming center van, which was driven by a volunteer who started at the Fred Meyer park- ing lot and drove south to des- ignated pickup points estab- lished by Siuslaw Outreach Services. “We had four dog crates set up, which were loaned to us by the Florence Area Humane Society, but we didn’t get any dogs on Tuesday or Wednesday nights,” DuBose said. “It was a bit of a surprise because I’ve gotten to know many of the homeless and a lot of them have dogs.” Masonic Lodge Worshipful Master Hunt Ramsey said, “It went very well, the guests were helpful and respectful and very grateful. In the morning every- body got their breakfast and out the door they went. Everyone was happy. The com- mittee and the volunteers did a wonderful job.” The warming center com- mittee and the Masonic Temple members need to act quickly when the weather turns cold. “Typically the committee decides in the morning whether the shelter will be open that evening,” Ramsey said. “They try to give us 24-hour notice, but that is not always feasible.” The Masons also offer more than just a building. Both Ramsey and Masonic Lodge World-class soprano comes to FEC Marie-Josée Lord, a world- class, Haitian-born Canadian soprano, has performed the key roles in Porgy and Bess and La Bohème to great international acclaim. She has performed on radio, television and at prestigious venues across North America. Her intense and flamboyant personality, and her interna- tional caliber performance, will fill the theater at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St., on Friday, Jan. 23. “Madame Lord is simply stunning, vocally and visually, with a personality to match,” said SEAcoast president Ernie Doud. “Even those for whom opera isn’t at the top of the list, Marie-Josée Lord will be. “Her irresistible charisma and passion for lyrical art have made her an outstanding guest for many TV and radio pro- grams, and a headliner for a number of metropolitan opera houses across North America,” he added. Marie-Josée Lord began her musical education in Quebec’s historic capital upon her arrival from Haiti at age 5. Her adop- tive parents, high-school sci- ence teachers, had a piano and were delighted to see how much the instrument intrigued her, and how quickly she learned. Lord began formal piano lessons at age 7 and continued for nearly 10 years, also learn- ing violin along the way. After studying piano at the Quebec Conservatory, she began to see her limitations. But during a music workshop for voice, she discovered an art form that was everything she had been looking for. Lord was encouraged by a friend to take voice lessons. Just for fun, she agreed. As a quick learner with a solid foun- dation in music, she asked her instructor to push her to work at an advanced level. The results speak for themselves. Lord began studying voice Marie-Josee Lord (courtesy photo) in 1992 as a mezzo-soprano, and gave her first recital in 1996. Her career progressed rapidly, taking on more advanced instruction and levels of performance. Eventually, the Montreal Gazette would write, “… A voice of wonder- ful depth and pliability casting a radiant glow. Her presence is spellbinding … a very classy singer with a bright future.” Awards and record sales fol- lowed. She has performed leading roles in Puccini’s Turandot Opera, Suor Angelica, and La Bohème, Chabrier’s l’Étoile, Verdi’s Falstaff, and in the world premiere of the operatic version of Starmania. The rest of SEAcoast’s sea- son promises an exciting vari- ety of musical styles and cul- ture: Friday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m., Metales M5; Sunday, March 15, 2 p.m., The Voetberg Family Band; Friday, April 17, 7 p.m., Quartetto Gelato; and Friday, May 15, 7 p.m., Eugene Symphony. Tickets for each show are $30 per adult and $10 for those under 18, and are available online at SEAcoastEA.org, at the FEC box office, or by phone at 541-997-1994. Artist profiles, video clips, and more information on all of SEAcoast’s shows are avail- able at SeacoastEA.org. SEAcoast Entertainment Association is the largest provider of talent, event fund- ing and diversity of entertain- ment to the FEC. The all-volunteer group is dedicated to advancing the arts and bringing great music, dance, comedy and variety entertainment to Florence. In more than 30 years the group has produced several hundred concerts and is proud to support the arts in Florence. SEAcoast Entertainment Association is a 501c3 non- profit. Contributions in sup- port of their work are tax- deductible. ity managed by the Western Lane Community Foundation that was established several years ago. In 2014, the program received a grant in the amount of $1,000 from the Kiwanis Foundation. The United Methodist Church also holds an annual fundraiser for the pro- gram. For information about volun- teering, call 541-590-0779. The Free Lunch program also has three vacancies coming up on the board of directors. The board meets quarterly. When Your illness, aches and injuries won’t wait for an appointment Our Walk-in Clinic is here for you, providing high quality care when you need prompt medical attention for non life-threatening conditions. Check–In: . . 6:45 Check–In: Monday–Wednesday Monday–Friday 6:45 am–6:30 am–6:30 pm pm Thursday . . . . . . . . 7:30 am–6:30 Saturday 7:45 am–5:30 pm Friday & Saturday . . . 7:30 am–5:30 pm from the Florence Unitarian for the Free Lunch program tables and clean up at the end, you do not have to have a food handler’s card.” The Free Lunch program is set up so that each volunteer is expected to commit to only one day per month. “Most volunteers make a monthly commitment. They 380 Ninth St., Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7134 PeaceHealth Medical Group www.peacehealth.org/phmg/fl orence F AMILY H AIR S TYLING member Rod Stow helped out the first night. “I think there are enough volunteers to make the pro- gram work,” Ramsey said. “If not, I have a list of Masons who are willing fill to in where needed.” DuBose said that as of Tuesday, Dec. 30, Julian Laner, a veteran and student at Lane Community College, has been hired as the emergency warm- ing shelter manager. 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Basically my resolution is to try and be a little more forgiving ... a little more caring and understanding of people who are not always so pleasant or nice to you for what- ever reason it may be.” —M ARY J ANE B IELMAN , 57 F LORENCE “I have never in my life set a New Year’s resolution. So how is mine going so far? Pretty well!” —A MY R ICKFORD , 48 F LORENCE “I never set New Year’s reso- lutions. My wife does, but I don’t. I suppose I should.” —F OREST G RISWOLD , 47 E LMIRA “I stopped making resolu- tions about 30 years ago. I found I couldn’t keep them.” —B OB F LETCHER , 85 F LORENCE HAVE A QUESTION WE SHOULD ASK? TELL US! E DITOR @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM