Community Relations

Seniors Deprived of Their Favorite and Affordable Lunch at Millcreek Senior Center

What is happening at the Millcreek Senior Center and Salmon Day? The county recently announced discontinuing it and patrons are not happy.

|


July 18, 2024, marked the end of an era. At the Millcreek Senior Center, Salmon lunches have been served for 13 years. Even in 2012 when I played the piano there, Salmon Day was a big deal. I would wear my red sweater with jewels on it every Thursday and play oldies that I loved.

Since its inception, the Seniors looked forward to relishing a nutritious salmon meal for a $4 donation. The word spread and many new faces began to appear, people from outside Millcreek, a regional audience. With Teriyaki Salmon, Herb-Crusted Salmon, Lemon Caper Salmon, and lately Curry Salmon, a delicious meal was served. My favorite was the lemon caper salmon with barley and vegetables.

Then came COVID and the center closed down. The Little Evergreen Cafe was deserted. It looked like a ghost town when I peered through the window. But gradually life came back. Sandie Simmons, the long-time employee at the front desk, was assigned to carry the sacked lunches out to people in their cars. I remember her saying, with her warm infectious smile, “this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” 

The cars were lined up five days a week to receive a hot lunch funded by the County for shut-ins, or people anxious for a deal.

The salmon meals would cost $20 or more at an upscale restaurant so Salmon Days was amazing financially and now the County says enough. They want to shift the funds to Meals on Wheels to better help the truly needy. 

As my mother said, “The only thing constant is change.”

Or as England’s Margaret Thatcher said, [the problem with government subsidy] “is eventually you run out of other people’s money.”

Or as a world-famous economist once said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Still I loved it; lots like me loved it, and we’ll miss it.

By the way, if you have some extra time and would like to make a huge difference in someone’s life call Meals on Wheels at 384-468-3086. You can be the wheels!

, ,

Join our newsletter.
Stay informed.

Related Articles


  • Preserving Union Station’s History Amid Ogden’s Redevelopment Plans

    When Ben Nadolski became Ogden’s mayor in January 2024, the city’s cherished Union Station took center stage in a battle between economic growth and historical preservation. The iconic station, rich with artifacts that tell the story of Ogden’s railroad legacy, faced redevelopment plans that threatened to erase its past. Under former leadership, volunteers were pushed aside, sparking public outcry. But Nadolski heard the call for preservation and made Union Station his top priority. As he navigates the city through a complex redesign, he’s asking one critical question: Can we honor the past while embracing the future?

    To access this post, you must purchase Full Access Membership.


  • Sugar House Legendary Millie’s Burgers Passes the Torch to the Next Generation

    Millie’s Burgers, a cherished spot in Sugar House for over 40 years, is entering a new era as the next generation takes over. Known for its classic, no-frills burgers and shakes, this family-run eatery continues to serve up nostalgia and great food while staying rooted in the local community.


  • Clear Water Distillery: Utah’s Bold Adventure in Craft Spirits and Creativity

    They started with no plan, a daring gift, and a touch of curiosity. Opening their distillery was just the beginning, but when the pandemic forced them to close almost immediately, they faced a choice: give up or reinvent. What followed was a journey of resilience and creativity, where every challenge sparked a new opportunity to craft something truly extraordinary.

    To access this post, you must purchase Full Access Membership.


  • FLDS Women Entrepreneurs: Transforming a Community Rooted in Polygamy

    What’s it like to be an ambitious woman in a community that has long enforced submissive roles? As FLDS women build businesses and push for change, are they quietly challenging the men who once held all the power? Are they seeking escape, or redefining their place within the traditions they were born into?

    To access this post, you must purchase Full Access Membership.