Everyone's a winner in 'Not So Newlywed Game'

Seniors at the Douglas County Senior Center laughed heartily at the Valentine's Day and February birthdays celebration on Wednesday.

When senior services supervisor Warren Bottino announced they were going to play the "Not So Newlywed Game," he had three couples volunteer to go to the test.

When Bottino asked a question, both husband and wife were given the opportunity to write the answer on a card, then their answers were compared.

When he asked everyone where they had their first kiss together, most of them answered, "In the car."

He asked the women what was the last meal their husband made for them.

Betty Miller, an onlooker who organizes the center's Alzheimer's support group, said that question used to be more pertinent than it is now.

"I will say in my generation the men didn't cook that much, but they've learned to cook and do the wash," Miller said.

"What one item of your husband's would you throw away if you had the chance," Bottino asked the women.

Lots of laughs ensued with answers like "old pants."

George Adams said his wife would throw away his memory.

With everyone at a tie, Bottino had to come up with more questions like asking the men what their wives' favorite colors are.

"Now, this is where your memory comes in," senior center events coordinator Linda Kyriakopoulos teased Adams.

In the end, all the couples were winners, taking home a heart-shaped box of candy - Helen and George Adams, Dee and Jerry Rasmussen and Harriet and Howard Althouse.

Those with February birthdays honored during the party were: Venies Taylor, Ralph Quintel, Harold Witt, Carl Jordan, Esther Randazzo, Gail Day, Elaine Torrez, Winnie Lovett, Lillian Heckers, Armand Castro, Charles Lacugna, Ray Gardiol, Edna Leonard, Eugene Schneider, Colleen Harn, Glyn Hasal, Al Walker, Dee Bartshe, Elizabeth Thom, Ann Smutnak, Dolly Scherer, Roger Thacker, Violet O'Brien, Irene Buyten, Marvin Aultman, Avanelle Reese, Ann McGuinness, Jean Steiner, Ben Warrick, Paul Lockwood, Marion Weissheimer, Carol Perkins, Esther Paul, Anna Mann, Larry Mau, Harold Lail, Robert Poston, Lucille Skarsten, Joe Owens, Dee Leonard, James Peddicord, GeeGee Gust, Dotty Dennis, Fred Rice and William Wright.

A 90-Plus birthday celebration will take place on Wednesday, starting at 10:30 a.m., with 31 already signed up. This year, three seniors will be starting the 100-Plus Birthday Club: Allen Bartsche who turns 100 on March 25; Sallie Springmeyer, who is 103; and Harriet Cox, 104.

-- Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.