At St. Andrews Village, Monday’s biggest event was the annual Veterans Day luncheon. About 60 former servicemen and women, with some wives, came to the Peggy Pinkham Dining room for what was reported to be “the best lasagna ever.” There was also the chance to greet old friends.

On this occasion, John Druce spoke briefly.

After lunch, friends and relatives joined the veterans in the lobby, where piano entertainer Kay Brown and a couple of friends played and sang old popular songs, many from the World War II era. Everyone had a rousing good time, singing and listening. There was even some happy dancing. Barbara Marr played the spoons. Nobody wanted to end the afternoon, and many left humming or singing some of the old ditties.

Earlier, a number of Independent Living residents took the village bus to Damariscotta, to see the live filming of “The Nos,” an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich, using a ridiculous story by Nikolai Gogol about a missing nose. Produced by the Metropolitan Opera, this was well performed and sung, against marvelously surreal scenery. Both creators, impatient with then-Russian bureaucracy, made fun of it. This opera shocked some residents; actually, it was very funny. Who said opera had to be pompous?

At the end of October, the monthly Late Dinner had Halloween as a theme. There was a spook room, the way to it being marked along a corridor by silhouetted mice and mouseholes. Many residents were in sinister costumes. The ghoulish menu list created by Dining Services Manager Amy Ronan. There were many giggles that night.

A group of nimble-fingered residents have spent several afternoons creating Iris Paper-folding greeting cards. These colorful creations are also fun to receive, for birthdays or other occasions. Introduced to residents several years ago by Vernon Stapleford’s daughter, June Monahan of Connecticut, nowadays, helper Mary Beth sets the stage for each craft session and is on hand to answer questions.

On many Fridays, the entertainment is Bingo! Bring your quarters!