Ruth and Ken are a happy couple, always together, they spend afternoons sitting in the Great Room soaking up the sun. They go out occasionally to smoke.I asked them if there was anything they needed right now, and Ruth said “no, we have everything we need now.” That was sweet to hear.

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Here’s what’s up at the Mansion:

Our Horse Carriage trek around town is cancelled. The weather wrecked it when we planned it, and the farmer is no longer returning our calls. This summer, we’ll look for somebody else.

Last Friday, St. Patrick’s Day, we paid for a band to come and play Irish music. It cost $400.

On April 6, the RISSE soccer team is coming, at their own suggestion, to help serve lunch at the Mansion. There was a real connection between the refugee children and the Mansion residents, it surprised all of us, but then, everyone knows the experience of being cast out.

In May, I hope to offer the residents another boat ride and lunch on the Lake George Steamship Company. They don’t give discounts, I think the trip will cost around $400 to $500 depending on how many residents come. They had the most wonderful time eating, dancing, looking out on the water, they are still talking about it.

On May 28, I am taking Julie Smith, the Activities Director, and three residents of her choosing, to lunch at the Round House Cafe. On me. This is part of regular take-a-resident out to lunch program the Army Of Good is sponsoring along with me, to get the residents out into the world.

As the weather warms, I’ll be looking for outings to get them into the sun and the countryside and also into the community outside of their walls. I have learned this is important to them, and necessary.

In May, we plan to present a “Night Of Four Skits” at the Mansion. The families are all invited.

I am still distributing your notecards and stamps, they are profoundly grateful for them.

Your gifts and presents and decorations for Easter  have begun arriving. Thank you so much.

Here is a list of residents who like to receive mail and photos: Winnie, Jean A., Ellen, Mary, Gerry, Sylvie, Diane, John, Alice, Jean G., Madeline, Joan, Allan, Bill, Helen, Robert (Bob), Alanna, Barbara, Peggie, Dottie, Tim, Debbie, Art, Guerda, Brenda, Wayne, Kenneth, Ruth.

You can write them c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge,N.Y., 12816

I need your help in funding some of the outings I would like to offer to the residents as the winter draws to a close.Also to help with some of their smaller needs like clothes, bras, and shoes. You can contribute to this work by sending your contribution to my Post Office Box, Jon Katz, P.O.  Box 205,  Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Many thanks. Please mark your check “Mansion.”