I never imagined myself at this point to be calling regular Friday night bingo games, at the Mansion or anywhere else. But it has become important to me, and to Maria. Friday afternoon, I ride around looking for interesting prizes, and the Army Of Good regularly sends prizes of their own choosing (the Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, N.Y., Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Maria and I go together, it is something we both do and look forward to in ways that surprise both of us. If we miss a  week, we hear about it the next week.

I have become skilled in picking out Bingo prizes the residents like and want, and our policy is that everyone gets a prize, whether they win a game or not. On average, about 10 to 12 residents play. At the Mansion, 6 p.m. is the heart of the evening.

Tonight, Peggie (left) won two games but I saw Ellen (right) pining for the stuffed dog.  So she got one and Peggy got a bunch of other things.

I turned around and the two of them wanted me to take their photo, they were so happy. It was a pleasure, the sight warmed my heart. It is such a joy to be able to bring warmth and happiness, even for a few minutes.

I am working to send a dozen residents and four aides on a boat ride with dancing and lunch aboard a boat from the Lake George Steamboat Authority. We did it last year, and the residents are still talking about it and begging me to go again.

It costs $43 a person on the Lac Du Saint Sacrement steamship. Last year, we danced and whooped it up and exhausted everyone for days. But I saw so much joy on the faces of the residents I want to do it again. I don’t know how exactly how many residents can come it would be between seven and ten, plus several aides.

Most of the residents can’t handle a trip like that, and as it is many will be on walkers or even riding in wheelchairs. So they need support.

i think the trip will cost between $500 and $600, I’d like to give them enough to buy a small souvenir or photo at the Steamboat Company gift shop.

If you can or wish to help, you can send a donation to the Gus Fund/Boat Ride, c/o Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. And thanks.

P.S. Kelly hopes to move out of her tent on August 11, when the people now living in the trailer she wants to rent are expected to leave. With all of this rain and humidity, she and her grandson and daughter have had a brutal week living in their tent.

I’ll be there with a camera when she moves into the trailer and thanks so much for your support. It is better to do good than to argue about what good is.