Turnout drops, but tunes still good at fund-raiser for meals on wheels

Senior Center volunteer Les Groth sat sipping coffee while the band played at the Bluegrass in the Garden fund-raiser for Meals on Wheels Saturday evening.

"In my estimation (giving to Meals on Wheels) is probably one of the best things you can do because it helps people who can't get out," said Groth, who was the last volunteer chief for the Carson City Fire Department in 1964.

"The senior center volunteers are the most dedicated, hard-working people. They never really ask for anything and they're all willing to go one step further."

Groth, who became the department's first paid chief, retired in 1978.

"I've been to every one of these that they've had," he said. "They're really nice."

Senior Center director Janice McIntosh agreed.

"Where else could you be in such wonderful surroundings -- sitting in your governor's backyard?" she asked.

While Carson's own Vicky Hass of the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Volunteers played a tender fiddle on "Faded Love," McIntosh watched from the back of the crowd.

"It's a fabulous event," she said of the fifth-annual Meals on Wheels fund-raiser. "The community shows us a lot of support. This year we're a little disappointed, though -- this is the smallest turnout we've ever had."

She said while about 350 have attended in years past, this year only about 150 came.

"But the people who are here are having a great time," she added.

Earl Mussett of Minden said he was having fun. He performed with his group, the Capital City Clog Academy.

"The first and last songs we did today were the same ones we did with 1,100 cloggers down Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. at the National Independence Day Parade last year," he said. At 76, he's the oldest member of the group while 17-year-old Jacob Watts is the youngest.

"I'm starting my fourth quarter century," smiled Mussett.

Wendy Knorr informed people about the first-ever Alzheimer's Walk in Carson City on Sept. 21. The walk, typically held in Reno, will honor Ayer Tonge, a Meals on Wheels driver who died after a struggle with Alzheimers.

Knorr said 9,000 Nevadans suffer from Alzheimers but the number will climb to 32,000 as the baby boomers age.

"This is like the up-and-coming health issue," she said.

Marian Setterfield had information about another health concern --Ethe blood shortage at United Blood Services.

"They have to get more people to donate blood," said Setterfield, who has given 14 gallons over the years. "There's a real shortage. A lot of people are such sissies about giving blood -- especially men."

Six-and-half-year-old Ryan Veittel didn't have a concern in the world. He skipped around the perfectly landscaped governor's mansion lawn and performed three classical songs on his violin for the crowd.

"I also study dance," he said. "My favorite is jazz three-four. It's jazz except it's really advanced."

"He doesn't have a shy bone in his body," McIntosh said.