What's on the Menu Today, Sparky?

Remember Turkey Days in Ramona and those amazing turkey-feathered gowns, hats, jackets and even dog jackets?

Well, you'd have to be a very long-time resident to remember that but many of us have seen the pictures over the years.

What a treat to meet the woman who came up with the initial idea, Mary Kay Pinkard, who still lives in Ramona. She's getting up in years of course, and these days she and her husband, Lee, are among the recipients of Ramona's meal delivery service for homebound seniors. It's operated by Ramona Senior Center.

If you have a housebound loved one in Ramona or the backcountry who is at least age 60, you might consider connecting them with for meals delivered right to their door.

The program is funded through the County Aging and Independent Services. A social worker will visit the person to assess their need.

Drivers deliver hot meals during the week, along with frozen meals to be eaten during the weekend. A donation is requested.

Ramona Patch went to see the meals being prepared at the senior center by chef "Sparky" Lloyd Hobbs and others, then took a ride with Melanie Van Doren to meet some seniors in the downtown area.

Meeting Mary Kay Pinkard and her husband, Lee, was a pleasant surprise. Mary Kay and her first husband, A.P. "Lance" Holly, were the inspiration and creators of the first turkey-feathered garments during Ramona's days of being Turkey Capital of the World in the 1930s. You can read about them and see pictures of the turkey gowns in local author Darrel Beck's book, "On Memory's Back Trail." (See pages 103-104)

We enjoyed seeing the work of one local artist who receives meals from the program and meeting her little dog who looks forward to Van Doren's visits.

And senior Robert Rockhold's humor was a tonic.

For more information on eligibility requirements, nutrition, routes and days of service, contact Ramona Senior Center at 760-789-0440 or go to the County's website.

And remember, the senior center is always in need of volunteers for the many services they offer.