Holiday Spirit Shines at Community Services Luncheon

Seniors enjoy getting together with friends at LaCentre

What's a holiday season without a party? Senior citizens in Westlake got to enjoy one Wednesday as Westlake Community Services hosted a holiday luncheon party at LaCentre. Check out the photo gallery for pictures of the fun. Were you there? Share your own photos! Click the "Upload photos and videos" button to get started. Holiday finery ranged from Christmas-themed ties for the men to sparkling sweaters and jackets for the women. Mayor Dennis Clough wore his own Santa tie. After cocktails and lunch, the Pop Tarts performed for the crowd of around 200 people. "It's a good time," said Michael Meluch. "It gets us out of the house and into the Christmas mood." For Jane Smith, the luncheon is part of a month-long celebration for her. Not only …

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Adopt-A-Family/Adult Holiday Program Underway

Your donations can make holidays special for Westlake residents in need

Before Rich Frolo came to work at Westlake Community Services, he didn't realize how much need there was in Westlake. He often finds himself carrying loads of donated food, and helping with the food pantry, especially as last week's Thanksgiving food drive wrapped up. But he knows what a difference it makes. "Westlake isn't just Crocker Park," he said. "There are people who are having hard times, who are alone, who need help." While the Thanksgiving food drive may be done, the department's holiday efforts aren't. Food is still needed, not just to keep the city's food pantry going, but to help Westlake families in need have a holiday meal. Items needed include canned fruit and vegetables, canned or jarred gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, …

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Flu Shots at Community Services Center This Week

Are your symptoms a cold or the flu? Click to find out.

Seniors Treated to "Snow White" and Lunch

Whimsical touches make the day fun

You're never too old to enjoy a Disney classic. About two dozen Westlake senior citizens got a treat on Monday as they enjoyed a screening of the original Snow White at the Westlake Community Services building. Community Services workers decorated the room with posters of the movie characters, used faux flowers and greens to create the Enchanted Forest, and made a version of the Wicked Queen's mirror. They were also given a nice lunch of croissant sandwiches and salad, punch playfully called "Poison Punch" on an apple-shaped label tied to each glass, and desserts of cupcakes and candy kisses given in Snow White-themed baskets. Seniors were delighted with the outing. "Everything was well thought-out," said Louise Nickerson. "It was so …

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Westlake Assistance Program Donors Step Up To Meet Increased Need

Help those in need by donating Dec. 12 through 16.

Donations have been pouring in to the Westlake Assistance Program this holiday season, helping to meet the growing needs of hungry families. Last month, the program provided 96 families (nearly 300 individuals) with a three-day supply of food and all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. There are already 105 families signed up to receive food baskets this month, said Sue Venick, assistant director of the city Community Services Department, but volunteers are keeping up with the demand. "[Demand] is a little bit higher this year, but I've been surprised," she said. "I can't tell you how many volunteers I have. The donations are wonderful this year, and this program relies only on donations. Only by the generosity of the …

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Dip Recall, Blood Pressure Screening and More

Here are five things you need to know today!

1) Westlake Community Services is hosting a free blood pressure screening from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Call 440-899-3544 for information. 2) Westlake Porter Public Library is hosting Strategy Games Club at3 p.m. today. Kids in grades 4 through 7 get to learn and play a new game every week. For more information, call 440-871-260. 3) Did you buy crab dip from Heinen's recently? Don't eat it! The store has issued a recall on Heinen's brand crab after a piece of the tool used to mix the dip came off during production. The store said that while the chip has already been found in one of the dips, the company decided to recall the entire batch. The batch being recalled has a sell-by expiration date of July 29. 4) More thunderstorms are on the…

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