By Peggy Sue McRae

Journal contributor

After the holidays, when the ornaments have been tucked away for another year, after the tinsel and bits of wrapping paper have been swept up and the Christmas cookies are all gone, it is time for a fresh start. Do you have a new 2026 calendar?

Now is a good time to consider your intentions for the coming year. If your goals for 2026 include reading more books, having lunch with friends, appreciating the arts, making art, taking better care of your feet, getting some exercise or volunteering (just to mention a few possibilities), consider the Mullis Center.

If getting out to lunch with friends is something you would like to do more often, Community Lunches at the Mullis Center have a few advantages. First, there is plenty of accessible parking, the food is excellent and the price is fantastic. Lunch is served on Mondays and Wednesdays. The dining room opens at 11:30 a.m., and the entrée is served at noon. Meals cost a suggested $6 for those over 60 and $10 for those under 60. Menus for the month are posted on the Mullis Center webpage, mulliscenter.org. Vegetarian options are available.

If reading more books is one of your goals for the coming year, this would be a good time to join the Mullis Center book club. We are just now in the process of selecting our next set of books. Our facilitator put together a list, including book club member suggestions, and now we vote on our preferred titles. Besides discovering books I may have never picked up on my own, reading books gets me off my screen and gives my attention span a nice, long stretch. We meet in the Mullis Center lounge, currently on the second Monday of the month at 1:15 p.m., though this may be subject to change.

Among the most exciting programs at the Mullis Center are those focusing on the arts. This includes guided tours of new shows at the San Juan Island Museum of Art (the next one will be on Jan. 5), plus art classes and workshops brought to us by the Alchemy Art Center, a local nonprofit arts organization. Classes and workshops with Alchemy are often free or given at minimal cost. Check the Mullis Center webpage for upcoming tours and classes. From the webpage, you can sign up to receive the Mullis Center Weekly Update email for a variety of upcoming programs and activities, lunch menus for the week and other Mullis Center news.

Becoming a member of the Mullis Center gives island seniors an advantage. First of all, your membership supports the important work of providing a vital social safety net during these uncertain times. Your membership includes discounts on services, special pricing on classes and events, and discounts on venue rentals. From the Mullis Center webpage, you can join online or download a printable form to apply by mail.

Wishing you all a joyful and fulfilling new year!