East Toledo seniors plan May trip to Branson
The East Toledo Senior Activities Center, in conjunction with Diamond Tours, will host a show trip to Branson, Mo., May 22 through May 28.

The cost is $625 per person, based on double occupancy. The price includes motor coach transportation, six nights lodging, including four consecutive nights in Branson; 10 meals; admission to seven shows, including The Brett Family Show, The Twelve Irish Tenors and The Baldknobbers Jamboree Show, The Acrobats of China, The Red Hot & Blue Show and The Jim Stafford Show; a cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle and more.

The trip is open to all adults. For more information or to register. call 419-691-2254. A $75 per person registration deposit is required.

Seniors to discuss 2011 trips
The seniors at the WSOS Senior Services will hold a meeting Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. to discuss trips they have planned for 2011.

The public is invited to the gathering, which will be held at the WSOS Senior Center, located at the lower level of Fort Stephenson, 600 W. State St., Fremont. There will be refreshments available as well as information on each trip planned.

The trips are open to anyone in the community.

A trip is scheduled for each month of the year. Those interested may register for any of the trips at that meeting. Some trips are overnight, while others are day trips. They include visits to Amish Country, an annual favorite, as well as to the Smoky Mountains, Chicago, West Virginia Railroads, Frankenmuth and many others.

For more information, call Barb at 419-334-8383.

Social Security program
Are you retiring soon or have you just retired, and do you have questions concerning Social Security and don’t know where to find the answers?

Matt Sherman, district manager for the Sandusky County Social Security Office, will offer an informative presentation with time allowed for questions  Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School.

There is no fee, but registration is required by calling B-C-S Community Education at 419-898-3315 Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn about social networking
The Kern Center for Community and Industrial Development at Terra Community College in Fremont is offering the following social networking and eBay courses this winter and spring.

• Facebook for Fun – 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 or 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. April 3 and 10. Cost: $29.

• Make Your Smartphone Smarter – 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 or 6 to 9 p.m. May 9 and 16. Cost: $35.

• Killer Smartphone Apps – 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 20. Cost: $35.

• LinkedIn 101 – 6 to 9 p.m. April 26. Cost: $19.

• Social Media for Business – 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 2 or 6 to 9 p.m. April 12 and 19. Cost: $39.

• How to Buy on eBay – 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 30. Cost: $35.

• How to Take Photos for eBay – 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 13. Cost: $35.

• How to Sell on eBay – 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays for three sessions beginning Feb. 20. Cost: $85.

For more information or to register, call Marsha Thiessen at 419-559-2255.

Caregiving stories sought
The Ohio Department of Aging will continue to accept submissions to its Family Caregiving Story Project through Jan. 31.

Both caregivers and those who receive assistance from family members and friends are encouraged to send in their personal accounts of the challenges and triumphs that are part of caregiving relationships.

“Ohio’s caregivers are large in number, and caregiving takes a variety of forms,” said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. “We have sons and daughters taking care of aging parents. We have parents providing needed assistance to children of all ages who have disabilities. We have long-married husbands who are finding the tables turned and who are providing for the ones on which they used to rely. In short, there are a lot of stories to be told about what caregiving means to Ohio.”

The Caregiving Story Project is Ohio’s contribution to the National Year of the Family Caregiver, sponsored by the U.S. Administration on Aging. Story submissions should be about 500-700 words long and include the author’s name and location. Mail stories to Ohio Department of Aging, Attn: Communications Division, 50 W. Broad St. / 9th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-3363. Stories also may be e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The department will use the submissions in its publications and public outreach throughout the year, and a collection of excerpts will be posted on the agency’s website in the spring.

Senior softball signups
The East Toledo Senior Activities Center is accepting registrations for its 2011 softball leagues.

All individuals ages 50 and older are eligible to play. There will be two evening leagues –50 and over and 59 and over.

The entry fee is $45 through Jan. 31 and $50 Feb. 1 through March 11 by 4 p.m. Late registration will be accepted March 12 and 13 The fee includes a T-shirt, hat, league fees and membership.

Call Mary at 419-691-2254 for more information.

Better Breathers
Heartland of Oregon’s Better Breathers Club meets monthly from 10 to 11 a.m., offering discussions on a variety of topics.

Upcoming topics included:
Jan. 27: The ABCs of COPD.
Feb. 24: Exercise & Breathing Techniques.
March 24: Communicating with your Physician.
April 28: Smoke Cessation: Learn How to Quit for Good.
May 26: Pulmonary Function.
June 23: Ways to Make Traveling Easy and More Comfortable.

Heartland is located at 3953 Navarre Ave., Oregon. Call 419-698-4521 for more information.

WCCOA blog
The Wood County Committee on Aging now has a blog, accessible at www.woodcountycommitteeonaging.blogspot.com.

Visitors can check out featured artists, poets and older adults from around the county, post comments or send in material such as poems, short stories, photos and more for the world to view. Send material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Call for poets
Entries are being accepted for the Wood County Committee on Aging’s 7th Annual Poetry Contest: “Reflections from Within.”

The contest is open to Wood County residents age 50 and over.

Poems are due to the Program Department at the Wood County Committee on Aging, 305 North Main St., Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402  by Feb. 14 by 4 p.m. Submissions may also be e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . All entries must include a name, phone number and address.

Plagiarized poems will be disqualified. Gift card prizes will be awarded. Call (419) 353-5661 for more information.

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