Considering all the heehaw about various illnesses and idiosyncrasies afflicting humans, I shouldn’t be surprised to see a full program about collecting stuff – or “hoarding.”

    The brief introduction to the television special showed a couple meandering thru head-high piles of all kinds of unrecognizable stuff to get to a kitchen, also just as difficult to get around in.

    According to Wikipedia, “compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia) is the excessive acquisition of possessions (and failure to use or discard them), even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding impairs mobility and interferes with basic activities, including cooking, cleaning, showering and sleeping.

    “A person who engages in compulsive hoarding is commonly said to be a  “pack rat,” in reference to that animal’s characteristic hoarding. It is not clear whether compulsive hoarding is an isolated disorder, or rather a symptom of another condition, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.”

    Not surprisingly there are five levels of hoarding. Wikipedia identifies all of them, as well as other well known hoarders: book hoarding and animal hoarding. We’ve all known people who love book – and heard stories about animal hoarders.(Sheesh!)

    I’ll admit, most of all I am a plant hoarder. I never met a plant I didn’t like – except for poison ivy and briars.

    Then again, I am a neat stuff hoarder. Working at Meridian Activity Center feeds this kind of collecting. When people clean out their hoards of stuff in closets, or when a family member dies, leaving piles of useful stuff lying around, the activity center is one of the first places they call. “Can you use a box full of patterns from the 1920s?” or “Do you think any of the students can use material for their quilts?” (Nevermind that they bring me piles of polyester and rayon fabrics – totally unacceptable by our quilters!)

    But I love it all – digging through those boxes looking for a gem of a find.

    One activity hoarders love to do is have garage sales, flea markets, or estate sales. That way they can be paid for the things they have been collecting – and have money to buy new stuff! We endorse this kind of activity at the center by having trunk sales in the spring and fall of the year.

    In fact, our next trunk sale is planned for Oct. 23, from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. This one will be a little different in that we will have the outdoor trunk sale for junk in the trunk – and at the same time, rent out tables inside for the better stuff (artwork, china, collectibles).

    As usual the car trunk fee is $5, which is returned if you don’t sell anything. For the indoor 4 x 8 tables, the fee is $10 each to cover lighting, etc. at the center. Call me for information.

 

Coming in October

 

    • Winter classes begin Oct. 11 and run for eight weeks. Our schedule may be seen onllne at the meridianms.org Web site or pick up our new Fall/Winter Parks & Recreation brochure at Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library, city hall or locations around town. Join us for painting, color pencil drawing techniques, stained glass, decorative painting, floral design, quilting, crochet, exercise, yoga, Slimnastics, line dancing and basic computer.

    Meridian Activity Center is open to adults over the age of 21, with discounts for seniors over the age of 55. There’s something for everyone at the center. Call (601) 485-1812 for further information.

    • “Polka Dot Patty” meets Southern Red Hat Ladies. Local storyteller and author June Davidson has written and published her first children’s book, which appealed to the local red hatters. She is after all, wearing purple polka dots. (Maybe she’ll get a red hat soon!) The luncheon/tea will be held Oct. 20 at noon. Call for information. Books will be available for sale.

     • Flu shots. The date is not definite, but we are hoping for the Mississippi Department of Health to come to the center to give flu shots on Oct. 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

     • Gopher Turtle Literary Group: This reading and discussion group will be reviewing “Byron in Love” on Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. If you’re lucky there might be a ghost story reading as well!

     • Bingo: Every first and third Thursday we have a 1 p.m. game of Bingo for seniors. Ten prizes are given away and refreshments are served.

 

Coming in November

    • “Poetic abstracts” by Marcia Via, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m.-noon. Lately, Via is better known for her Black Bottom pies at Weidmanns Restaurant. But don’t be confused, she is also an engaging artist who, after a 30-year sabbatical from painting, picked up the brush and found the artist within again. Her work is hanging at the restaurant and she would like to share her technique with others.    By fee. Call the center to pre-register.

    Meridian Activity Center is the best kept secret in the Meridian/Lauderdale County area. We are located at 3300 32nd Ave., in the heart of Meridian, off 29th Avenue and 36th Street. Look for our signs or call the center for directions.

 

    • Barbara Wells is director of Meridian Activity Center. You may

e-mail her at mactivitycenter@gmail.com