Father Gene's Help Center

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

I signed up to volunteer at Father Gene's Help Center; Dwight Morgan and Terri Miller were the only other people to answer the call from SRS.  Other Capri communities signed up for other shifts throughout the day.

Because we were so few, I rode with Dwight and Terri; Abby Hauser drove two other staff members from SRS.

Rosemary greeted us and gave us the background of Father Gene's, also a tour or the shopping area.  The shopping area resembles a department store with clothing for all ages arranged attractively.  Patrons were waiting to be checked into the database where they could select the number of items corresponding to their family size.  Patrons may come every three months.

We learned that 4000 clothing items are distributed each day; over 150,000 each year.  Clothing is donated not only from the Milwaukee area, but from other states, since Father Gene's has such a great reputation in its charitable work.  Clothing is also sent to other countries, such as Peru and Ukraine.

We worked at a table in a huge room where the sorting takes place before it is put in the showroom.  We prepared Halloween clothing, women's tops, pants, nightwear and women's coats.  We put the items on hangers; some we also separated by size.

Dwight and I are putting clothes on hangers.

Our St. Rita Square Group after our morning shift.

Father Gene's depends on volunteers to carry out its work, with a very small administrative staff.  People are encouraged to help as often or any length of time they desire.  There was an active crew of helpers today doing various jobs.  

I felt it was time well spent.

https://www.fathergeneshelp.org/

Morning Disaster

Monday, September 28, 2026

My knitting needles were delivered in an outrageously large box that I wanted to share with the breakfast group.  I placed the carton on my walker with my tray with cereal, milk, banana and cup on top.  As I left my apartment, the tray dropped off the walker, causing my beautiful, favorite bowl from Donald to break, plus a cup.  Jim and Eldeen Carpenter helped sweep up the mess, but I am heartbroken by the loss.

I'm starting to work on caps for the MARTA December luncheon and found a simple pattern with a decrease stitch I'm not familiar with.  I encountered a mistake when I selected the Toddler size instead of the Kid, I ripped when I found a dropped stitch that I could not pick up, and I was decreasing incorrectly.  I never did a SSK, and could not understand the pattern telling me that I decreased 8 stitches when I only did 4.  The cap did not look right, so I ripped again before the decrease.  Good old YouTube, which I should have consulted first, showed me exactly how to do this decrease.

As I was going to meet the Needlework Group, Shirley Bascom asked if I was going to play sheepshead with Bob Koebert at the Catholic Home.  I thought someone else might have liked to go, so I was not planning on going.  Since a fifth player was needed, I gladly agreed.

Chuck Boucher drove Shirley, Jack Champagne and me

We met Annie Hahn, who is recuperating after collapsing in her apartment.

Bob had a room reserved for us, the same as last week.

We played for and hour, and I'm sure we lifted Bob's spirits.

Dr. Gundamraj/Errands

Friday, September 25, 2026

Peter agreed to pick me up after my appointment and we'd go to breakfast. That seemed like a good plan since I fasted for my lab work.

Dr. Gundamraj gave me a good report and asked me what I did for my complexion.  She'll see me next year.  But I won't make an appointment the day after my Birthday when I can't celebrate because I have to fast.

Peter was completely bewildered when I called; he forgot our arrangement.  But he insisted on picking me up and taking me home.

We stopped at Bunzel's for some ground chuck and ground turkey, also fresh liver sausage and Sciortino rolls.  I picked up cash at the ECU on Center Street and learned how to get my own bills.  Because Peter likes to go through Van Buren with a stop light, he made a little detour to go past Pick 'n Save; I could use some wine, I also bought a six-pack of beer.

So doing these errands was a lot better than going to breakfast.

I fixed some liver sausage sandwiches on buns, with Laura's pickles that we had with beer.

My 94th

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Since my Birthday fell on the same day as the Complementary Happy Hour, I thought it would be nice to treat SRS with cake.  Abby Hauser said that she would provide plates, napkins and forks and the kitchen staff would cut the cake.

I ordered a full sheet pan carrot cake from Sima's, and Peter agreed to deliver it.

Before breakfast on Monday, I asked Chef Ein if there would be someone to cut the cake. He apologized and said that he was short staffed, and could not do it.

I sat next to Cheri Franch and told her what Ein said.  "I can cut the cake she said"; my problem was solved.

Peter brought the cake with his gift of a dozen yellow roses and a Birthday balloon.

Cheri was equipped with an assortment of knives for any culinary purpose, plus latex gloves and serving pieces.  As she cut the cake, Terri Miller placed the pieces on plates to serve one of the largest gatherings in the trattoria.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1PDgT9sfTW/

I was hoping Laura would join us; however, she said that she was unable to come because she had a dinner guest. Then, when I wasn't paying attention, Laura was at my side with a vase of beautiful flowers.  I was speechless, since I was not expecting her.  I was so happy to introduce her to many residents who had heard so much about her.

The cake was an absolute winner, with a good portion to freeze.

The numerous cards that I received had beautiful personal messages that I will treasure.

SRS Octoberfest

Thursday, September 17, 2026

An Octoberfest menu was featured for the Community Luncheon.  I invited Peter and he brought steins; I furnished Riverwest Stein.

We sat with Frank, Barbara Todd, Winn and Shirley.

The meal started with a delicious bowl of beer cheese soup and pretzel sticks, followed by the entree: pork schnitzel with gravy, spaetzle and asparagus.  It was rather disappointing.  The schnitzel was too thick, not tender enough and should not have gravy, the asparagus was rather limp and tasteless.  The warm apple dessert was very nice.  We enjoyed a beer with our meal; SRS offered cans of Spotted Cow.

Peter won one of the games of Screw Your Neighbor; I didn't win, but I enjoyed playing.

Peter wanted to drive to Von Rothenburg Bier Stube in Germantown hoping someone turned in his cooler with his very nice Hoffbrau Haus stein that he left there last night, also to return the CD changer that I ordered from Amazon that was defective.  

We drove to the UPS Store on Jefferson Street and a young man helped Peter carry in his heavy box.  After waiting in line for a short while the box was checked in with no problem.

We got to von Rothenburg  and were fortunate getting a seat at the bar, because it started filling up for their Second Anniversary.  

We each had a wine and a couple of appetizers that were passed around, very good, but messy to handle. 

The very large bar was filled, with many people standing.  A male vocalist sang some nice standards.

I glanced into the almost-filled dining room which I thought was very dark.  I don't know how people could see what they were eating.

I planned for a luncheon, but we stretched our time filling almost the whole day, with some pleasant surprises.

September Red Hat

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

If we had our Red Hat Luncheon on the third Wednesday, as usual, three ladies would not be able to make it.  Kathy Schnagl had a conflict and if she couldn't make it, neither could Julia Rice or Rita Bruce, because Kathy brings them.

We agreed on Hale House for this month; however, Hale House does not take reservations, but it's first come, first served.  I asked how possible it would be to seat ten ladies on that system.  "Have someone come early and wait for a table", was the answer.  That was not satisfactory.  We liked Ricky's Double Barrel Inn, and Terry and I thought that would be a good alternative.

When I called, I got the answering machine, and l gave the details for our reservation.  I called again the same day and then today, with the same results.  The web site did not say it was closed.

The parking lot was deserted when Lyft dropped me off, and so was Ricky's.  Barbara Fritsch arrived and we started to wait for the others.  I called Terry and I suggested the Irish Cottage; I called, and they were able to accommodate us.  Terry was able to contact Kathy and Jane as they were driving, so that was covered.

I rode with Barbara, but did not know there were two Irish Cottages; we went to the wrong one, we wanted Irish Cottage 2.  We had to do some adjusting, since Rita was not able to do steps, and had to enter through the kitchen.

The Cottage was very cozy.  We were the only diners and felt very comfortable.  There were many choices on the menu; I had a BLT and a Guinness , some had the shepherd's pie.  I think it was a good choice.

I joined Bob and Terry to play sheepshead at the Muskego Library, and won about $1.

I forgot about the Red Hat luncheon when I signed up for the SRS community dinner at 5:00 p.m.  I brought containers for the soup, which was loaded with vegetables and the chicken casserole that was lacking in chicken.  There was also a peanut butter brownie.

We had story sharing in the evening.  My learning experience was taking sewing lessons at the West Allis MATC that benefitted me for many years.

Birthday for the Ninety Year Olds

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Frank Schmitz's Birthday this year included celebrating those in their nineties.  The day was perfect for this event.

Peter had to arrive early with the Austrian Club banners and flag, which involved about three clumsy containers.  He wanted to drive into the grounds but had to remove some barriers before he could proceed.  A member was very upset that he drove in, since the road was for pedestrians only.  Peter drove out and re-entered at the first entrance we passed, which we should have taken.

We sat with Anita Kuchler, Eileen, Steven Hauser and John Puchner.

There was plenty of food: brats, hamburgers, salads, and, of course, beer.

Here are the ninety year olds:

Charlotte is the oldest, at 97.

John Puchner provided some music.

Magdalena gave me a lovely rose for my Birthday.