They can still get around with travel service

Thanks to their efforts, thousands of local seniors have seen things

they might never have seen, done things they might never have done,

and satisfied wanderlust that might have lingered unfulfilled. With

no previous experience in the travel industry, they’ve organized

adventures throughout the U.S. and beyond, including jaunts to

Europe, Canada and the East Coast, all through the Oasis Travel

Office.

They’re a highly organized volunteer corps of 12, headed by Janet

Poor and Maggie Case. Under the guidance of these co-chairs, Lorraine

Martinson, Mary Zamora, Cathy Murphy, Melody Orr, Wanda Taylor, Carol

Ralls, Barbara Lilly, Marje Underwood, Marje Boes and Louise Peat

have organized a dozen extended trips this year to date. In addition,

mature travelers have enjoyed 26 daytrips and nine gambling trips in

2003 -- to casinos in Las Vegas, Laughlin and San Diego County.

“It’s very rewarding to take 40 people to a museum, a show, a

winery or a city they might not be able to visit on their own,” said

Poor, who volunteers two days a week at the office, in addition to

time escorting day trips. “We have a lot of fun and we meet wonderful

people.”

Bus trips, Poor said, are especially enjoyable, thanks to

comfortable transportation provided by Coach USA and California

Charter.

“Everyone loves Frank and Don, our favorite drivers,” she said.

“We play Bingo and eat cookies on the way there, and see movies

coming home.”

The luxury coaches are air-conditioned, with bathrooms and

adjustable seating.

Upcoming excursions include daytrips to the Lawrence Welk Resort

in Escondido for a production of “Annie Get Your Gun” and Oak Glen in

apple country for shopping and lunch. In October, buses will head for

the Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, Callaway Winery and the

San Diego Wild Animal Park.

For overnight travelers, fall and winter vacations are available

in the Hudson River Valley, New York City, Palm Springs, Memphis and

Nashville. Extended trips now in the planning stages for 2004 include

a trip to San Francisco to celebrate the Chinese New Year, a Mayan

Riviera Winter Escape, and a Great Canadian Cities trip that will

take in Montreal, Quebec and Niagara Falls.

Many trips sell out soon after details are published in the

monthly Oasis newsletter. All begin and end at the Corona del Mar

center, making them especially convenient for members.

Travel office profits are turned over to the Friends of Oasis, the

fund-raising and support arm of the center. The real profit, however,

goes to seniors who are able to expand their horizons in the company

of others long after independent travel becomes too difficult or too

solitary.

The Travel Office at Oasis is open Monday through Friday, from 9

a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (949) 718-1810.

OASIS Senior Center is a hub for older adults social and

information services, at 5th Street and Narcissus Avenue in Corona

del Mar. For more information about the center and its activities,

please call (949) 644-3244.

* MELISSA ADAMS manages communications for the city of Newport

Beach Recreation & Senior Services.