written by, for, and about seniors Summer | Autumn | 2020 Serving Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township Volume 39 Number 2 clothes or themselves clean is not really filling the need.” Their The Bajoreks Eleven Years Later… efforts to fill the need really took off in 2015. But it was neither a Still Helping. Still Volunteering. simple nor an inexpensive project. They were assisted by volunteers from professions as varied as engineer, plumber and lawyer. By Bill Kroger The article honoring these “seniors” The project was completed this year with four showers and three Eleven years ago the front was written pre-pandemic and washers and dryers. A manager has been hired to oversee the page of Vintage Views was except for some updates was operation and volunteers are still being recruited to help operate graced with a photo of Jean left as written. the 501c3 corporation named The Corner Shower and Laundry. and Roger Bajorek. The The project was funded by voluntary contributions—the largest accompanying story painted a picture of a local couple who were being $70,000 from the Episcopal Dioceses of Michigan and about very busy doing things to help the community and their neighbors. $15,000 from 100 Women Who Care in Northville. n 2009 Roger had been retired The project opened right before the COVID-19 virus hit. Since I for four years and Jean had cut the onset of social distancing rules, the Shower operation has back her hair business to two days continued but a week. What have they been up limits users to one Silent Night, Homeless Plight to since then? Maybe they have at a time. But, it Silent night, frostbite night just been relaxing and puttering. has kept going, I recently sat down for a chat with homeless face their constant plight. “And I am very Temps are dropping, zero, below them and what do you think I found happy about that how to survive, where to go? out? There is not a lot of time in …it has been a their life for relaxing and puttering. While we’re warm and safe inside long time coming they walk the streets, where to hide? Jean still works two days a week together and the From mother nature’s icy finger at her salon on Third Street in Corner Shower how much longer can they linger? Rochester that her daughter, Kris, and Laundry is Photo by: Jean and Roger (2019) And if tonight they have endured now manages. Roger still provides very helpful to colder tomorrow, they’ve been assured. nature programs at OPC for Adult Daycare and for the visually those who need impaired. Upon request, he presents programs at local schools. it. Many showers Perhaps a shelter will offer a bed, taken; many someplace to lay a cold, weary head. In March of this year Daffodils for Dinosaurs, Soup kitchen in the morning, for something to eat founded by Jean, raised funds for Dinosaur Hill loads of clothes laundered.” Jean they close at noon then it’s out on the street. Nature Preserve for the thirtieth year. Every year updates. Showers and bathroom are at Saint Peter and Paul the couple has also been heavily involved in the too far away to answer the call. Simply Soup Supper, a fundraiser for Kiwanis. The soup kitchen had to change its Some may say “they’re just plain lazy” oth Roger and Jean are very active with the Rochester Kiwanis the pains of war can make one crazy. group. In addition to raising funds for Neighborhood House, operation because B of the virus. Now, Mental illness, poor jobs, few choices OPC and Manna Community Meal through the Simply Soup Supper, do we hear their plea or muffle their voices? five days a week, you can find them in the Rochester Community Park on Thursday Where’s our compassion, our consideration evenings in the summer assisting with the Kiwanis music in park they prepare sandwiches at 6:45 where is the love in this God-loving nation? programs. And if you are so inclined Roger will gladly sell you In this rich country of strong belief a raffle ticket at the concert. a.m. and distribute box lunches in the how can we deny life-saving relief? This year because of the COVID pandemic Kiwanis meetings church parking lot When there is no hope, only despair are by Zoom. But Roger says, “We have kept up our program to around noon. “It is will we be the one to show we care? provide diapers to Neighborhood House and Lighthouse on a not soup but it is a Silent night? Holy night? monthly schedule.” He also points out that smart shoppers can meal and it helps All’s not calm. All’s not bright! take advantage of coupons and specials to make money go further. people in need,” Eugenia Bajorek The Bajoreks have been volunteering at Manna Community Meal says Roger. in Detroit for more than twenty-five years. This soup kitchen serves s you can see, not much time for relaxing or puttering. Jean meals from 7:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. five days a week in the basement A and Roger are still very active helping others. Like many OPC of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church building at the corner of Trumbull members, when they see a need they look for ways to meet it. and Michigan, right across from the now dismantled Tiger Stadium. They have been cooking and serving soup once a month, and they Jean adds, “While all the work we do to help is so important and have been involved in other activities providing help for the homeless many could not survive without it, the real solution will come when at the St. Peter’s location. the old and continuing attitudes toward the poor are changed, when the reasons for poverty and homelessness are finally In 2012 Jean and Roger began working on a project to provide recognized and addressed, and when the biases in the hearts of showers and clothes-washing facilities at the location. As Jean says, many are transformed into understanding and compassion—only “Just providing clothes to people who have no way to keep the then will the ‘cries of the poor’ be silenced.”▼ PAGE 2 VINTAGE VIEWS SUMMER | AUTUMN | 2020 BEST LABOR DAY PICNIC EVER! Well, maybe not. By Alyson Denyer Rosemary Sidney (Rosalind Russell), the room-renting “old maid abor Day Weekend...time to schoolteacher,” is desperate to get married and leave behind L put the American flag out; “all these women” at the boarding house run by the mother. maybe make the last potato salad Howard Bevens (Arthur O'Connell), Rosemary's “friend-boy,” of the summer. And time to set is intent on staying single, running his store, thank you. aside two hours to watch the Alan Benson (Cliff Robertson), infatuated with Madge, wants movie Picnic. Wait, what? Yes, to marry her in defiance of his father, but she's literally dear readers, you read correctly. from “across the tracks.” How and when this all began I am not sure, but it has become Tensions erupt at the picnic after Madge is chosen “Queen of something of a tradition for me. Neewollah” (“Halloween” spelled backwards.) The mutual attraction she shares with Hal ignites into full-blown passion when The movie, released in 1955, revolves around the celebration of a they dance. Rosemary rudely interferes, ripping Hal’s shirt. Millie Labor Day picnic in a small Kansas town. Initially, I was intrigued becomes ill from drinking whiskey sneaked in by Howard. Alan's by the decor, clothing, hair styles, and cars. Popcorn chenille temper explodes when he sees Hal's torn shirt: “the same old Hal,” bedspreads adorn the beds. The women wear dresses, nipped at the he accuses. (Alan had just returned to the picnic site.) Hal runs to waist with a belt. The main female character wears two different the car, Madge follows, and they leave. After taking her home, Hal frocks with frothy skirts redolent of prom dresses worn back in the attempts to return the car to Alan, but altercations occur, and he day. Ladies' hair is curled; the mothers pinned with the same clips drives off, pursued by the police. He abandons the car and makes I used in my teens. The men sport dress shirts and suits to the picnic; his way to Howard's apartment to hide out. The next morning, one man drives a classic convertible, cool and fast. Howard brings him to Madge’s. Hal confronts the mother, declares The rendering of the small he loves Madge, begs her to follow him to Tulsa, and hops the train town picnic is endearing to conveniently roaring past the house as he shouts: “You love me...you me, complete with a three- know you love me!” Meanwhile, Rosemary lassoes Howard into legged race, rolling pin throw, traveling to the Ozarks to get married. haystack coin hunt, sundown As if this isn’t enough drama, Millie encourages Madge to follow sing-a-long, and, lastly, Hal: “For once in your life, do something bright.” Madge packs swing dancing to the theme a suitcase and, breaking her mother's hold, boards a bus for Tulsa. song Moonglow, a favorite Oh, my. of mine. he film was adapted for the screen from William Inge’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play and was nominated for several Academy Watching the movie in more recent years has given me a new T Awards in 1956. Although no actors were chosen, it won for Best perspective.