Greenbriar II Seniors Fight the Winter Doldrums

On the cusp of March, I sit in my kitchen preparing a new edition of “Senior Scene,” and realize that the days are getting longer.It is almost 5:30 p.m. and the dark shadows of the coming evening have only now begun to fall. This is a very welcome fact to everyone, and perhaps to us, the senior citizens of our township, more than anyone. It means that spring is preparing to burst upon us, freeing us from what I refer to as the winter doldrums.Many of us have developed “cabin fever,” and just the thought of longer days, more sunlight, and higher temperatures is a welcome relief to what has been yet another difficult winter.We have, however, enjoyed some happy moments during the past two months – moments that will be remembered and talked about through the coming spring and summer months.Here at Greenbriar II, we enjoyed a sparkling celebration as we welcomed 2011 on New Year's Eve. Many of us enjoyed the action on Sunday afternoons as we came together in our auditorium to watch the exciting NFL season play itself out. The games were shown on our large, movie-like screen, and we all agonized when the Giants gave away their trip to the NFL playoffs by first giving away a crucial victory to the Philadelphia Eagles, then by taking a through beating at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers.These two very difficult losses for Giant fans were made a little easier to accept as many of our Greenbriar II residents witnessed them together. We eased our pain by partaking of the party food and beverages that many of us brought along each week.Conversely, Jets fans experienced the opposite emotions, and the auditorium was really rocking when Gang Green won their first two playoff games, eliminating the Indianapolis Colts and their hated rivals, the New England Patriots, in the process.On Super Bowl Sunday, the R&A (Recreation and Activities) Committee at Greenbriar II hosted a wonderful Super Bowl party. The doors opened at 2 p.m. and many of the residents gathered to play various card games including Texas Hold 'Em and other variations of poker, as well as Mah Jongg and a relatively new game called Left-Right-Center. Everyone in attendance brought their favorite snack foods and desserts and the R&A Committee provided hot dogs with all the trimmings including and Frank Jones' very special (kick it up a notch) onions. As for dessert, we could have opened our own bakery as there was such a great variety of goodies available! The game which featured the aforementioned Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had eliminated the Jets, was almost anti-climatic, mainly because the game started so late. Many of us who stayed were yawning at half time.An upcoming event that's sure to turn some heads is a concert by a fabulous 50s Doo Wop Group “The Sounds of the Street.” The concert will take place March 12 at the Greenbriar Auditorium.We are hoping that we have seen the last of winter's vengeance, but I have a gnawing feeling that Old Man Winter is not done with us quite yet. After all, March is supposed to come in like a lion.