November/December 2023

Director’s Comments

Something we all value is autonomy – not that we don’t need others in our world, but we appreciate the sense of what we can do on our own. The Senior Center is no different – we take pride in the ways we can be relatively autonomous – but with the support of several key partners.

In what ways are we taking care of ourselves:

• We do not accept business sponsorship or advertisements for income
• Our classes are mostly available at no cost
• Members of the community often develop programs of their own interests
• All ages are welcome to attend 
• Several events and activities happen outside of our business hours
• Homemakers providing service in Yellow Springs are employed by the Senior Center
• Our transportation services are free 
• We own our building
• The Center reflects the community’s ideals of caring and sharing

What makes this possible:

• Over 170 volunteers, who have supplied over 3000 hours of help so far in 2023
• A strong membership comprising of over 15% of the village residents
• Generous donors who provide over 16% of our operating budget
• The Senior Support Levy funds, managed by the Greene County Council on Aging, provides over 40% of our operating budget through grants and in payments for services provided to clients
• The YSSC Board (all volunteers) is dedicated to the success and future of the organization
• The Yellow Springs Community Foundation has been a fiscal partner, holds our largest endowment, and funds grants supporting several projects and improvements
• A skilled and caring staff assure that we continue to respond to community needs and care for the building and each other 
• We keep our expenses minimal and rational 

YSSC continues to be the only Senior Center in Greene County which does not have any fiscal or in-kind support through the community government. The Senior Services Levy funds remain the most critical aspect of our budget. 

Our Annual Appeal, which will commence later this month, is an essential source of funding so that YSSC can continue to serve the community. We have increased our goal this year from $44,000 to $48,000. Last year we exceeded our goal and hope we can once again exceed our expectations. Thank you to each person who makes our success possible – volunteers, staff, members, and donors. We’re not autonomous at all – we couldn’t thrive without all of you!

 – Caroline Mullin, Executive Director

937-767-5751 x 101, cmullin@ysseniors.org

Those who came to the inaugural Friday Night Bingo had a great time. Bingo will also be held on October 27, November 10, and December 8. 

Use the buttons below to visit our website for the most up-to-date information about our classes and groups.

Community Colloquy Series, 3rd Thursday, 7 pm

The Senior Center hosts monthly guests to share their expertise and knowledge with the community. 

The November 16 guest is Desiree Nickell, retired YSHS English teacher who will present “Archetypes in Shakespeare.” She will show a video that looks at how Shakespeare visited and re-visited critical life themes in his plays. 

Programs meet in the Great Room and on Zoom. All are welcome. To get the Zoom link, register on MyActiveCenter.com, call 937-767-5751, or email info@ysseniors.org. There is no event in December.

Monthly Financial Series, 2nd Mondays, 5:30 pm

Ryan Carpe, financial advisor with Edward Jones in Yellow Springs, will end the year with a Market Update on November 13.

Day Trip, Wednesday, November 15, 11:45 am

The November 15 day trip is to Hawthorn Hill, the private home of Orville Wright. There is a possibility of a guided tour if there is enough interest; the tour starts at 12:30 pm, meeting at the main entrance of Carillon Park. The group would be shuttled to the Hawthorn Hill home for a guided 90-minute tour. Cost is $14 for Dayton History Members, $16 for others. Tour is not wheelchair accessible. Contact Maggie at 937-767-5751, or info@ysseniors.org by November 8 so a tour can be scheduled if applicable; otherwise, the group will do a self-guided tour. Meet at the Bryan Center parking lot at 11:45 am.

Third Thursday Potlucks, 3rd Thursday, 11:30–1 pm

Join us in the Great Room for monthly potlucks. Please bring a side dish to share. The November 16 guest is someone from the Friends Care Physical Therapy team. The December 21 guest is Andrew Brody who will talk on “self care during the holidays and winter blues.”

Bingo, Second Friday of the month, 5:30–7 pm

Play Bingo for cash prizes on November 10 and December 8 in the Great Room with refreshments. Cards cost 25¢ per card each round, play as many cards as you like. Open to ages 21 and up.

Volunteer Appreciation Brunch, November 9

All volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch Thursday, November 9 from 10:30–11:30 am.  

Improv Class, Mondays, 10–11 am in Nov.

Justin Howard, founder of The Black Box Improv Theater and founder of Emerge Improv, will offer his 20 years of experience and talents helping people exercise their brains and cultivate creativity through improvisational comedy. Justin regularly runs corporate workshops and occasionally can be found offering classes in the village. Classes meet the month of November in the Great Room.

Theater Group, Tuesdays, 10–11:30 am, Dec. & Jan.

Have you wanted to explore the world of acting, but haven’t had the chance? In this class, Amy Bennett will lead 5–7 participants through a table reading of the play “Grounds for Murder” and build up to staged rehearsing if possible. No experience necessary and all abilities welcome. The Group will meet in December and January in the Fireplace Room.

Beginner Ukulele, Thursdays 9:30–10:30 am

This is meant to complement the regular ukulele class and be a starting point for beginners who can then move on to the Tuesday class, which is an all-levels class. Meets the first 3 weeks of the month, taking the last week off. Contact Maggie to sign up.

Hearing Aid Help, November 14, 10 am

Harmony Hearing, formerly known as Xenia Hearing Center, will be here to do hearing aid cleanings and hearing screenings. Free packs of batteries will be given to those who show up. They will be coming every other month instead of monthly. 

Drawing Practice Group, Fridays 1–2 pm 

For those who have taken Drawing for Beginners and want more practice, or those who would like to practice basic drawing with others. Meets in the Fireplace Room.

Strength Training, Mondays 3:30–4:15 pm

Have fun and stay strong with local fitness favorite Andrew Brody as the instructor for this low-impact, strength-training exercise class in the Great Room.  (This is a hybrid class with some participants meeting in the Great Room and others joining on Zoom. Participants registered through MyActiveCenter will have a link emailed to them about an hour before the class. If you need help getting registered, call the Senior Center at 937-767-5751.)

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Course, January

This free, 6-week course (NOT a support group) will be led by Aida Merhemic for up to 12 participants and uses a scripted curriculum to teach invaluable self-care tools for caregivers. Coming in January.

Register for classes and events at MyActiveCenter.com, 937-767-5751, or info@ysseniors.org

Medicare Open Enrollment

Hello! Open enrollment continues through Thursday, December 7. Coverages may change from year to year, so it is important to review your plan every year. I am available to assist you review your current plan, run comparisons and compare options, and help you sign up for a new plan. On our website, ysseniors.org/medicare.html at the bottom of the page is a printable form for listing your current prescriptions. If you don’t have access to a printer, you may stop by the Center and pick up a form. This form needs to be completed prior to your appointment. 

Please be very wary of advertisements on the television and insurance mail you receive, that appears to be from Medicare, but may actually be a marketing ploy trying to get a commission. The assistance you receive from the Senior Center is provided by OSHIIP volunteers and is unbiased, free, and not based on a commission. 

– Stephanie Lawson, RN, Support Services Manager

937-767-5751 x108, slawson@ysseniors.org

Positive Impact

The Senior Center has had a positive impact on the Village for over fifty years, seeing and meeting the needs of our community in ways that can be seen by everyone starting with the thrift store in the ’60s, wonderful potluck lunches, and many enriching classes. However, some of the largest impacts that we make are not so readily seen. We help with Medicare changes; we transport individuals to medical appointments and we offer homemaking which allows seniors enough help so that they can safely remain at home and independent. We have some clients that have used our services for over 10 years. Allow us to have a positive impact on your life call and discuss how we can help.

–Teresa Bondurant, Homemaker & Outreach Manager

937-767-5751 x107, tbondurant@ysseniors.org

Making a Difference

“I meant what I said and I said what I meant.”

–Dr. Seuss, Horton Hears a Who (1954)

Sure is busy downtown today! What about them Reds? Hot enough for you? Our days are replete with the sing-song of trivial exchanges, chit-chats and chin-waggings conveying seemingly meaningless content. As a child, such “conversations” struck me as predictable pawn openings on a chess board without the intent to play a game. I was flummoxed by the exercise of asking, “How’re ya’ doing?” when the intent was only to elicit the scripted response, “Fine.” Go figure, thought I – and not with any particular charity toward the speaker! I know now that such “empty” palaver, arguably, conveys the fullest of meaning in social interactions. Our impromptu, sidewalk chatterings allow us to project attitude, friendly intent, and to be “present” in the eyes of the other.

However, like receiving nothing but Hallmark cards in lieu of visitors or phone calls when celebrating a personal milestone there is risk of losing connection with others through scripted talk. We are regularly subjected to customer service scripts telling us to “Have a nice day,” or “Please come back again,” or “Thank you,” for example. Does the constant exposure to such mechanical and empty content risk eroding the meaning and gift such expressions represent.

Perhaps. But we need not let it happen. Consider, Carol Cox called the office recently to pass along a change of address. She and Monty are downsizing and will, by now, be settled into their new home at Friends Care Community. What she said next opened my heart. “You know,” she said, “Monty and I could not have hoped to stay in town were it not for the services of the Senior Center.” Whether it’s transportation, Medicare assistance, foreign language class, or exercise programs, the Senior Center is able to make a difference in the community – because the community, through volunteering, extends our reach. 

The approach of winter holidays offers many opportunities to express thanks and appreciation. The sheer volume of holiday platitudes provides a self-awareness of the measure between our “scripted” self and “authentic” self. It’s a priceless art to be able to bring simple sincerity into the flow of your life and relationships. It needs to be exercised regularly. Fortunately, there is a reason in every season to do so.

– Robert Libecap, Transportation Manager

937-767-5751 x104, rlibecap@ysseniors.org

Calendar

Use the buttons below to visit the calendar our website or MyActiveCenter for the most up-to-date information about our classes and events.

To participate in virtual classes and events using Zoom, you must register through their account on MyActiveCenter. Zoom links are emailed to participants one hour prior.

2023 Holiday Gift Soiree

The Greene County Council on Aging’s Holiday Gift Soiree will be held on Wednesday, November 29 from 10 am–6 pm at the Xenia Community Center, 1265 W 2nd St. in Xenia, next to the Council’s office. They are planning a special experience and the opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted items and homemade treats. The YSSC Staff will be going – if you’d like a ride, call 937-767-5751 or email info@ysseniors.org.

Other GCCOA Events

• Caregiver Support Group: Mondays, Nov. 6 and 20; Dec. 4 and 18 (first and third Mondays) from 6–7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Yellow Springs.
• Grief & Loss Group: Mondays, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 (the second Monday) from 10 am–noon at Peace Lutheran Church in Beavercreek.
• Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease: Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 2:30– 4:30 pm at the Xenia Community Center (XCC) next door to the GCCOA Office.
• Medicare 101: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2:30–4 pm at the Xenia Community Center (XCC) next door to the GCCOA Office.
• Legal Chat: Thursday, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14 (third Thursdays) at 2:30 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, 3530 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Enter at lower level door with awning. 

Contact GCCOA with questions or to register for these events at 937-376-5486 or send an email to YourFriends@gccoa.org. Information is also available on their website at gccoa.org.

Grocery Delivery

The Senior Center continues to shop for groceries weekly from Tom’s Market for anyone who is homebound due to transportation, mobility, or health issues. Deliveries are on Fridays and orders are due by 11 am on Thursdays. Orders are accepted one of three ways:

• e-mail to info@ysseniors.org
• by using the form at: ysseniors.org/grocery-delivery-program
• calling 937-767-5751 Mon.–Fri. 9:30 am–4 pm 

Credit Card/Debit Card/EBT cards are accepted. This is a free service; donations are gratefully accepted.

Members Art Show

The Members Art Show will be up in YSSC Fireplace Room Gallery from Wednesday, November 8–Friday, December 22. There will be a reception on Friday, November 17 from 4–6 pm. Above: “American Gothic – YS 2023,” art quilt by Chris Zurbuchen.

A BIG THANK YOU

End of year thanks to volunteers – some work in the building, some lead classes, others drive passengers or make grocery deliveries. The hours of unpaid labor provide much of the service of our organization. We apologize to anyone whose name was accidentally omitted.

Amy Achor

Ven Adkins

Susan Alberter

Patty Alexander

Katherine Anderson

Kristyn Andrews

Dave Anthony

Joyce Reena Appell

Diana Atkins

Sue Augustus

Jim Bailey

Ryan Beach

Anna Bellisari

Sara Beltran

Kathy Beverly

Tanjore Bhuvaneswari

Andree Bognar

Susan Bothwell

Bruce Bradtmiller

C. Jayne Brahler

Bob Brecha

Angela Brintlinger

Karla Bristow

Andrew Brody

Barbara Brookshire

Michael Brown

Jerry Buck

Kathy Buck

Arati Cacciolfi

Mary Cargan

Ryan Carpe

Diane Chiddister

Lorena Christopher-Skinner

Connie Collett

Robert Conard

Sheilah Conard

Pam Conine

Carol Cottom

Christopher Cox

Linda Cox

Grant Crawford

Margaret Dean

Tom Degenhart

Mark Delozier

Simone Demarzi

Celia Diamond

Cindy Diehl

Keith Doubt

Susan Doubt

Rosalie Douglas

Deborah Downey

Laurie Dreamspinner

Margaret Dunn

Becky Edwards

Katie Egart

Tracy Elzy

Phyllis Evans

Jim Felder

Dave Finster

Joy Fishbain

Judy Fors

Susan Freeman

Janice Gairy

Kai Gerstein

Larry Gerthoffer

Cammy Grote

Wayne Gulden

Gayle Gyure

Sherry Harding

Lynn Hardman

Amy Harper

Kazuko Heaton

Tim Heaton

Luan Heit

Debbie Henderson

Melissa Heston

Lynda Hicks

Cathy Hill

Joe Hill

Anna Hogarty

Andy Holyoke

Beth Holyoke

Lee Huntington

Paula Hurwitz

Robert Huston

Tia Huston

Kim Iconis

Artie Isaac

Alisa Isaac

Francis Jennings

Sandra Jessen

Jim Johnson

Ruth Jordan

Charles Keller

Bette Kelley

Bill Kent

Jo Ann Kiser

Mia Knight

Margaret Koebernick

Michael Kraus

Melissa Kuhns

Sally Lane

Ruth Lapp

Fran LaSalle

Moira Laughlin

Pegeen Laughlin

Hannah Lawson

Kate LeVesconte

Robert Libecap

Marcella Link

Maureen Lynch

Barbara Mann

Chloe Manor

Rebecca Mark

Linda Mates

Jim Mayer

Matan Mazursky

Patty McAllister

Deborah McGee

Larry McKever

Megan Meier

Nancy Mellon

Carmen Milano

Marian Miller

Misty Monee

Marianne Moseman

Maxwell Mullin

Paul Mullin

Chris Murphy

Henry Myers

James Myers

Sue Neff

Desiree Nickell

Cynthia Olsen

Luisa Lang Owen

Harvey Paige

Jerry Papania

Linda Parsons

Suzanne Patterson

Cyndi Pauwels

Corinne Pelzl

Daniel Pelzl 

Gabriel Potter

Julie Potter

Diana Quirk

Macy Reynolds

Roger Reynolds

Julie Richardson

Marcia Ridgley

Dorothy Rike

Pat Robinow

Dee Rockwood

Libby Rudolf

Josue Salmeron

Linda Scutt

Katharina Seidl

Linda Sikes

Judith Skillings

Mary Kay Smith

Lynn Sontag

Jerry Sutton

Bobbi Treadwell

Greg Treadwell

Daphne Trillana

David Turner

Holly Underwood

Aamil Wagner

Ahmad Wagner

Amani Wagner

Holly Weir

Marianne Whelchel

Michelle Wilson

Susan Wolf

Lin Wood

Richard Zopf

A heartfelt thank you to Dinah Anderson and Lynn Hardman, who have been bringing bouquets of dahlias from their gardens, and Bob & Tia Huston and Diana Atkins who have been sharing vegetables from their gardens. Diana also keeps the front flower boxes going.

A BIG THANK YOU to Lin Wood for her 20 years of service!

Welcome NEW Members!

Tami Absi

Christine Adair

Angela Beltran

Sara Beltran

Anna Bowers

Joann Chamberlin

Joysan Edwards

Deloria Jacobs

Linda Potter

Dr. Wanda Stewart-Hardin 

Marcia D. Thompson

Heartstrings Holiday Concert 

The musical group Heartstrings will present a holiday concert with festive holiday music at the Senior Center on Saturday, December 9 at 4 pm. The musicians, Mary Beth Burkholder, Sarah Goldstein, Linda Scutt, and Carol Van Ausdal, perform instrumental and vocal music from the Celtic, Appalachian, and Scandinavian traditions. Guest musicians Mark Delozier, Cammy Grote, and Paul Van Ausdal will also perform. There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Senior Center. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

​The Yellow Springs Senior Center newsletter is published every other month, coming out at the end of the even numbered months. Copy deadline is the 1st of even numbered months. PDF versions of this and past issues can be found on the website.

All YSSC members also receive a hard copy mailed to their home. Memberships are $25 annually with $15 for each additional member and are due in January. Make checks payable to YSSC and mail to: YSSC, 227 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, OH, 45387 or use the button below to go to the website to pay with a credit card.

Email updates are sent weekly and the eNewsletter is sent every other month.