Along with twice monthly suppers, Wiscasset Senior Center at the community center is now offering lunches on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Menus appear on Wiscasset Parks and Recreation’s website and reservations are required; lunches are $7 for Senior Center members, and $8 for non-members.

“It will take a while before it really takes off but people have been asking for this and we thought we’d give it a try,” Larry Rines, chairman of the senior center’s board of trustees, told Wiscasset Newspaper.

Cook Marjorie Di Vece said a typical lunch will usually include soup, a hot or cold sandwich, and a homemade dessert. The first one on April 21 featured tomato-lentil soup, an open-faced, melted ham and cheese sandwich along with a homemade brownie. “Everything is freshly made by me here in the community center kitchen. I try to offer a protein, starch and vegetable for every meal,” added Di Vece as she handed a meal to Rudi Rines, one of the senior center regulars.

Although Rines lives in Augusta, he has roots in Wiscasset. “My grandfather, William Henry Rines was raised here. He told me many times that he was the only boy in the Wiscasset Academy class of 1905. Nine girls and one boy; that was the whole graduating class! Back then you had to pay money to enroll in school and get an education.” Rines said he still has his granddad’s diploma. Although he and Larry Rines share a surname, they don’t think they’re directly related. “Who knows? Maybe we’re third or forth cousins,” quipped Larry.

Di Vece said next month’s lunch on May 19 will include beef chili, biscuits, cornbread and cookies; June will feature French bread pizza, tossed salad and strawberry shortcake. “They call it French pizza because it’s made using French bread topped with sauce and mozzarella cheese,” she explained.

Also at the inaugural lunch was artist Mat O’ Donnell of Wiscasset. He donated a print of one of his many oil paintings featuring dairy cows. It will be raffled to benefit the Senior Center. O’Donnell said he painted the portrait Downeast outside Franklin, in Hancock County. O’Donnell liked his subject matter so much he spent his next 10 years painting just Holstein cows. You can see more of his artistry at two Wiscasset businesses, Treats on Main Street and Farmhouse Grill on Route 1.

The raffle drawing will be held July 20. Larry Rines said tickets can be bought at the Senior Center, and plans are in the works to have the print on display at Ames True Value on Route 1.

The Senior Center began offering lunches in response to the popularity of its suppers which are offered the first and third Wednesdays of every month. Dinner seatings begin at 4:30 with servings beginning at 5 ending at 6. Tables seat up to eight people. The meals are $10 each for senior center members, $12 for non-members. Meals typically start with soup, salad and bread followed by the entree and dessert. Beverages are supplied and usually include coffee, tea and water. The menus appear on the WCC activities calendar. Takeout meals are offered, although orders must be made in advance by Tuesday at noontime for that week’s dinner.  

The May 4 supper will feature baked lemon chicken dinner with black bean soup, garden salad, bread, rice pilaf, green beans and blueberry cake with lemon sauce. “I’m open to suggestions if people have a favorite meal they’d like me to make,” said Di Vece. Call 882-8230 to make reservations or reserve a meal for takeout.