February / March 2024, Vol. XXIV, No. 5 |
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Brr… the temperatures are frigid as this newsletter is coming together. But we have had some sunny days and more to come, which definitely help our mood and energy levels. On days when getting outside is not the best for our health & safety, it’s a great time to plan for warmer days ahead. And that is what your Council team is doing.
Below you will see some timely reminders for several March events and programs, as well as the much-anticipated April 13th Shredding Day. We have heard from many artisans who plan on submitting a piece or two in the Senior Artisan Show and there is still time to request the entry paperwork. For the rest of us, we should add the show to our calendars and plan to stop in to see what our neighbors have created. We have no doubt that it will be a beautiful show.
You will also see the information for the four-week March It’s My Money program. Many who have attended this program in previous years, including some who have attended multiple times, share that it is well worth the time and money to get their planning started,
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brush up on what they had previously learned, update their plan, or confirm that what they have in place still works for their individual situation and objectives.
We look forward to hosting another Progressive Puzzle Party for the Pantry and would love to have you join us for a fun-filled afternoon. And we are in full SeniorPalooza planning mode, preparing for a variety of activities and challenges for May in celebration of Older Americans Month. We hope that our theme of Seeking Balance will strike a chord and you will decide to participate in some way. The Palooza Packet will be available at the May 1st Drive-By, with the online materials available later that day.
Our planning efforts also include the June 15th Summer Solstice Shindig, which merges much of what we had offered at the JamFest, including the Cloud Races, with some additional family-friendly games and activities. We are thrilled to share that Mike Whitt and The True Bluegrass will set the ‘musical stage’ with their toe-tapping, dance-inspiring music for everyone to enjoy. Mark your calendar!
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It's My Money It's My Stuff! It's My Life! |
Why not consider joining us for this popular 4-week program to start or continue planning for your future? The sessions, presented by local professionals, will be held in the Xenia Community Center on four Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm starting March 5th. The cost is $40 per household and includes a binder with all program materials, and a box supper each week. Space is limited; reservations are required. For information or a registration form, please contact the Council. For more information, see gccoa.org/events
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Progressive Jigsaw Puzzle Party for the Pantry |
Bring a donation for the food pantry and join us for some puzzling fun on Wednesday, March 13, from 12:30 to 3:30 at Xenia Community Center. Put together jigsaws, listen to music, enjoy refreshments and maybe win a prize. Space is limited and reservations are required. Contact the Council to reserve your spot.
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It's Your Money ~ Are You Ready to Retire?
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Calling All Senior Artisans |
We invite you to show your work at our Senior Artisan Show March 10th, 17th, and 20th at the Fairborn Art Association.
The show is open to all artists at least 60 years of age who live in Greene County. You don’t have to be formally trained, have shown your work outside your home, or have a connection to any art or senior group. Deadline for entries is March 1.
Categories for artwork are:
- Oil or Acrylic paintings (framed, not under glass)
- Mixed Media (framed, under glass; watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, pencil, pen & ink)
- Photography (framed)
- Three-dimensional work (sculpture, woodcarvings, hand-thrown pottery, etc.; free-standing)
All artwork MUST be original and should have been created after your 60th birthday, with recent pieces preferred. Visit gccoa.org for more information.
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Volunteering is Good for You! |
Volunteering to help others can have big rewards for the volunteer as well as the individuals served and the organization or cause they are sharing their time and talents with. As volunteers, we make friends, learn new skills, experience something new, and even feel happier and healthier.
There are many opportunities to volunteer here in Greene County: the city of Xenia, the Ohio History Connection, the various food pantries, 4 Paws for Ability, Musiclink Foundation, and many more. You can clean trash from the Little Miami River, teach music, help at the Dragons game — the possibilities are as varied as we are.
If you want to help, you can search online for volunteer opportunities, such as on VolunteerMatch.org. The Council has benefitted greatly from the help of our volunteers over the years. When we say “We couldn’t have done it without you” we really mean it!
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Come to the 2024 Senior Artisan Show
~ Bring a Friend!
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Come to the Fairborn Art Association Gallery (rear of Fairborn Senior Housing, 221 North Central Avenue) and check out the work of our talented senior artists.
Sundays, March 10th and 17th from 1 to 3:30pm,
Wednesday, March 20th from 11am to 2pm.
If you can’t make it in person, view online March 11th—22nd at gccoa.org/art
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Join us at our monthly Legal Chat on Thursday, February 15 (Taxes) and Thursday, March 21 (What Are My Financial Responsibilities?)
The talk are from 2:30 to 3:30pm at
Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek.
To receive email reminders or to reserve your spot, contact the Council at yourfriends@gccoa.org or 937-376-5486.
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Weather Closing Policy
When schools are closed or on a delay, any Council activities in that community for that day are canceled. The Council itself is closed when Greene County is under a Level 3 category, which is issued by the Greene County Sheriff.
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Thanks to Our Donors
Thank you to the
individuals and organizations who shared a financial gift with the Council in 2023. These gifts came in all sizes, with many designated for special projects, specific programs, or for the Council’s endowment account for future programs and services. Click here for a complete list of 2023 donors.
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Volunteer Spotlight
We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteers who share their time and talents in so many ways to further the mission of the Council. During December and January, some of the talents shared included delivering groceries, helping with organizing, making friendly visits with individual seniors, regular phone calls with isolated seniors, support group facilitation, and budgeting assistance.
Please join us in acknowledging the volunteers since the last newsletter:
Tingle Cook
Jim and Linda Jones
Beth Kinsel
Lynn Martin
Mary Ann and Bill McCaskey
Barbara McKown
Karen Paulsen
Ken Richardson
Tracey Rickey
Susan Titus
As we plan for the year, other tasks and opportunities for our current volunteers and hopefully new volunteers include assisting with our newsletter mailings, April & October Shredding Events, SeniorPalooza Field Day, June Yard Sale and community events such as upcoming wellness fairs, the Summer Solstice Shindig, the Fall Prevention Event, and the Savvy Senior Expo.
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For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at yourfriends@gccoa.org, or 937-376-5486.
◊ Medicare 101
Wednesday, February 14th, 2:30-4:00pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Legal Chat
Thursday, February 15th, 2:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek
◊ It's My Money
Tuesdays, March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 6pm,
Xenia Community Center; $40 per household
◊ Senior Artisan Show
Sundays, March 10th and 17th, 1:00 to 3:30pm
Wednesday, March 20th from 11 to 2pm
Fairborn Art Association, 221 N. Central Avenue
◊ Progressive Puzzle Party
Thursday, March 14th, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
Thursday, March 14th, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups
◊ Grief & Loss Group
2nd Mondays (Jan 8th, Feb 12th), 10:00 am - Noon, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek
Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05pm
Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00pm
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Greene County Council on Aging
937-376-5486
Committed to Seniors and Caregivers
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Our mission: To promote independence and quality of life for Greene County senior citizens and caregivers by facilitating and supporting the development, implementation and continual improvement of a comprehensive and coordinated system of contact and care.
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