Parker Dining Room Good food, good friends, good cause By Katy England edge staff writer kengland@themaineedge.com ORONO – Seniors looking for a nutritious meal and a chance to socialize with friends need look no further than the Parker Dining Room, 9 Pine Street in Orono. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays you can sit down with friends and enjoy a hot meal prepared by Eastern Maine Medical Center, play cards, and catch up with friends for a suggested donation of $3 for anyone 60 and older, or $4 for friends and family under 60. “The biggest misconception is that [the meal] is only for the less fortunate,” said Rosemary Freese, the resident service coordinator for the Housing Foundation. “That isn’t true. We welcome anyone 60 years or older.” You also don’t need to be an Orono resident. Freese said people come from all over, including Veazie, Old Town, Brewer and Bangor. The food varies, and you can pick up a monthly menu that includes baked chicken, lasagna and fish, as well as coffee, tea, milk and dessert. Many people who go enjoy a game of cards beforehand or just sit and talk with friends. Visitors need to call to reserve a place in advance so the correct number of meals can be ordered from EMMC. “The social aspect is a big thing,” said Freese. “It is a good chance for them to socialize … and meet with friends.” If you can’t make it to the dining room, you can have your meals delivered to your home. Right now the dining room is looking for volunteers to help deliver meals to seniors in their homes a couple of days a week. Freese said that this suits many stay-at-home moms with young, but not too young, children. “[Volunteering] really is worthwhile. [Some of the volunteers] bring their children,” she said.  “The seniors look forward to the children coming. It lightens up their lives.” She said it’s also a good experience for the volunteers and the children. “The seniors gain a lot from it and the volunteers say the children gain a lot from meeting the seniors and getting exposed to volunteerism,” Freese said. For more information about the Parker Dining Room, to get a menu, or to find out more about volunteer opportunities, call 866-7944. “If someone would volunteer they’d find out they’ve made a difference,” said Freese. “They [the seniors] look forward to you coming. It makes you feel good.”