‘Mature singles' club to sing carols at Andover nursing home

SUSSEX - Members of SAMI, a new social club for “single, active, mature individuals,” will sing Christmas carols during a visit to the Andover Sub Acute Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. “This is the season of joy and giving, and who better to give to than our own elderly who are sick and infirm,” said Sandy Mitchell of Sussex, a founder of the new group, which welcomes new members to participate in this and other planned events. “We are a social club and not a dating service,” noted Mitchell. “Our activities are often outdoors when the weather permits.” Past events included trips to the shore for biking and hiking; hikes at the Delaware Water Gap; dinner and a movie; dinner dance at the Elks Club, and a trip to a winery. Among coming events are a trip the Bethlehem “First Night;” snow shoeing; bowling; game night, and dim sum in Chinatown. “The most heart-warming event coming up is the Christmas caroling at the Andover Sub Acute Center,” said Mitchell, who invites musicians to bring their instruments to accompany the carolers. “If we don’t have any musicians to play for us, we will sing along with a boom box and CDs,” she continued. “It does your heart good to see all of the smiles and to feel a lot of love and gratitude from these folks for this small kindness.” Club members plan to give each patient/resident a poinsettia for their room. “We need between 30 and 40 plants,” said Mitchell, who said she would welcome donations of $5 - $10 from anyone in the community at large who would like to contribute. Checks, payable to Sandy Mitchell, should be mailed to 55 Bank St., Sussex, NJ 07461. Following the caroling, participants will go out for a light supper at a local restaurant “with whoever would like to come along,” said Mitchell. For information, call 973-875-2068 or email smitchell@tellurian.com to register. Each registered participant will be asked to contribute $5 toward the purchase of the poinsettias.