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Nominations sought for Ottawa Co. Senior Hall of Fame
The Ottawa County Senior Activity Committee, under the direction of the Ottawa County Senior Advisory Board, is seeking nominations for its annual induction into the Ottawa County Senior Hall of Fame.
Nomination are now available at all Ottawa County Senior Centers, including Oak Harbor, Elmore and Genoa. All nomination forms must be returned to the Ottawa County Senior Resources Office by April 12.
Nominations will be reviewed by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and the staff of Senior Resources to determine the 2009-2010 Hall of Fame recipients.
The purpose of the award is to recognize senior volunteers in the community who exemplify a positive image of aging, demonstrating these characteristics through their involvement and contribution to various volunteer activities throughout Ottawa County.
Nominations are open to anyone 60 year of age or older who resides in Ottawa County or who has participated in volunteer activities for any organization in the county.
Senior Hall of Fame winners will be inducted during Ottawa County’s Spring Senior Day, scheduled for May 12. Reward recipients will receive a plaque commemorating their achievement. In addition, their names will be added to a plaque that will hang in the Ottawa County Senior Resources office.
For more information or to obtain a nomination form, contact Ottawa County senior centers or call Senior Resources at 1-877-898-6458. Applications can also be found on the Senior Resources Web page at www.co.ottawa.oh.us/ocseniorresources/index.htm.
Breathing better
Individuals with questions about COPD, asthma, medications or pulmonary rehabilitation are invited to gain more information and understanding of their conditions at Better Breathers Club meetings being held at Heartland of Oregon, 3953 Navarre Ave., Oregon.
Heartland, in conjunction with the American Lung Association, is offering meetings on the following dates from 1 to 2 p.m.
March 25: “Breathing Techniques and Controlling Anxiety.”
April 29: “Exercise Ideas to Increase Energy, Strength and Endurance.”
May 27: “Learn How to Pace Daily Activities to Avoid Fatigue.”
June 24: “Identify Key Symptoms and a List of ‘Must Ask’ Questions for Your Physician.”
July 29: “Nutrition: How Your Diet Affects Your Breathing.”
Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 419-698-4521.
Chili Cook-Off
Mobile Meals of Toledo will sponsor the 18th Annual Great Chili Cook-Off March 27 at the Stranahan Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.
Twenty-six teams will compete in various categories. Chili sampling will be available until 4 p.m.
The event will also include a DJ, outdoor classic car show (weather permitting), concessions and chef demonstrations from noon to 4 p.m.
Admission is free. All proceeds will benefit Mobile Meals of Toledo, a community service agency that assists the elderly, ill, disabled and homebound.
Fear of falling?
The Harbor Lights Senior Center is offering the program, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls,” for eight consecutive Mondays beginning April 5 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Riverview Healthcare Campus, 8180 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.
The Program cost is $5. A workbook is provided and refreshments are served. Call Lisa Ervin at 419-898-2800 to register or for more information.
Ottawa Co. Seniors plan Big Band Dance
The Ottawa County Senior Activities Committee will host their third annual big band dance, “Spring Into Happiness III,” April 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Community Markets VFW Memorial Hall, 251 W. Main St., Oak Harbor.
The dance is open to the public age 21 and older. Admission is $10 per person in advance or $12 at the door and includes an hors d’oeuvres buffet, door prizes and raffles. Music will be provided by the 17-piece “Night Session Big Band.”
Tickets are available at all Ottawa County Senior Center locations, or for ticket information or reservations, call Juanita Mills-Persely at 419-341-1080. All proceeds will benefit the Ottawa County Senior Levy Renewal Fund. “Spring into Happiness III” is sponsored by Walker Family Funeral Homes and Otterbein North Shore Retirement Living Community.
A Matter of Balance
Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling. A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. Wood County Committee on Aging is seeking volunteers to help provide this program.
A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is conducted in eight two-hour sessions and uses group discussion, problem–solving strategies, videos and gentle physical exercise. Older adults learn positive coping methods to reduce fear of falling and remain active and independent.
Program coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls by helping them increase their strength, to find ways to reduce falls and to learn how to protect themselves in the event of a fall. Coaches need good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, dependability and a willingness to lead small groups of older adults. Coaches also need to be able to lead low- to moderate-level exercise.
Coach training classes will be held April 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main Street Church, 705 N. Main St., Walbridge. Participants must be able to attend both sessions in order to be certified.
For more information, call Lynne O’Neil or Kathy Teeple at 1-800-367-4935.
12th Memory Day set
In a display of public solidarity and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, an estimated 250 Alzheimer’s advocates from across the state are expected to participate in the 12th Annual Memory Day at the Ohio Statehouse April 13.
Free transportation is available, with vehicles leaving from the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio offices in Toledo, Findlay, Lima and Mansfield. Transportation from other areas may be accommodated.
Memory Day provides families, caregivers and those affected by Alzheimer’s disease the opportunity to meet face-to-face with elected officials to discuss the unique challenges associated with caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Today, an estimated 225,000 Ohioans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
As part of the advocacy event, a special luncheon program will be held in the Statehouse atrium, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Department of Aging Director Barbara Riley are expected to be among the featured speakers during the hour-long program.
Through its national network of chapters, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers and represents their interests on Alzheimer-related issues before federal, state and local government and with health and long-term care providers.
For more information, caregiving assistance, transportation or to register for the Memory Day event, call the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter at 1-800-272-3900.
Supplemental Food Program
Those who are 60 years of age or older and live on a fixed income may be eligible for the Ottawa County Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
The CSFP of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides eligible seniors a monthly package of food. The 40-50 pound food package contains a combination of foods, such as fruit juices, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, pastas, milk products, cheese, canned meats and peanut butter.
The Shoreline United Brethren Church, located at 769 N. Locust St., Oak Harbor, will serve as host of the monthly food box distribution in Ottawa County. Seniors must complete an application for approval. Once approved, seniors will be able to pick up food boxes monthly.
Applications for the CSFP Senior Food boxes are available at local senior centers, at the distribution site or at the main office of Senior Resource, 8200 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor. Future distribution sites in Ottawa County are being developed.
Call Senior Resources at 419-898-6459 for more information.
Donations sought for sale
The James “Wes” Hancock Oregon Senior Center will hold a Spring Rummage & Bake Sale May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The center, located at the corner of Stadium and Bayshore, in Oregon, is currently accepting donations excluding clothing and computers. For more information 419-698-7078
Beantown excursion set
The East Toledo Senior Activities Center, with the help of Diamond tours, will host a trip to Boston, Mass., Sept. 30 through Oct. 5.
The cost is $515 per person, double occupancy, which includes motorcoach transportation, five nights lodging, including three consecutive nights at a Boston-area hotel, eight meals, a guided tour of Boston, a visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, a guided tour of Lexington, Concord and Salem and gaming at Foxwoods Casino Resort in Ledyard, Conn.
A deposit of $75 is due no later than June 18. The trip is open to all adults. For more information, call 419-691-2254.
Touring care-free
Carefree Tour Group, sponsored by Witzler-Shank Funeral Home in Walbridge, is sponsoring a slate of bus trips for the coming months.
Excursions include:
• May 19 – Worthington, O. Enjoy a tour of the Krema Nut Factory, the Orange Johnson House and a visit to Waldo, O., for their famous fried bologna sandwich. Cost: $55, which includes transportation and admission for tours.
• June 30 – Akron, O. Take an hour-long narrated tour on the Portage Princess on one of Ohio’s most beautiful glacier-made lakes. After lunch, tour the famous Harry London Chocolate factory. Cost: $50, which includes transportation, boat ride and admission to Harry London’s.
• Aug. 17 – Berlin, O. A trip to Amish Country and Shearer’s Outlet Store, Heini’s Cheese Factory (bring a cooler) and lunch at the Farmstead Restaurant. Cost: $55, which includes transportation and lunch.
• Sept. 28 – Bucyrus, O. A trip to Carly’s Bratwurst Factory and Cooper’s Cider Mill. Enjoy lunch at Carly’s. Cost is $45, which includes transportation and lunch.
For more information, call Witzler-Shank Funeral Home at 419-666-3121.
Doctor Day observed
Heartland of Oregon will observe National Doctor Day March 30.
The annual celebration recognizes the importance of physicians and their contributions to modern medicine. It originates from the date widely considered to represent the discovery of anesthesia. On March 30, 1842, in Barrow County, Ga., Crawford B. Long, M.D. administered inhaled ether to a patient before removing a tumor.
Throughout the day, Heartland will pass out carnations to the doctors who touch the lives of the facility’s patients.
Senior Day Trips
Hoeflinger-Bolander Funeral Home is planning a number of Senior Day Trips for 2010.
Trips include:
• May 12 – Orville/Wooster, O. Tour Simply Smucker’s Co., and Rubbermaid. Enjoy lunch at Das Dutch Kitchen. Cost is $45, all inclusive.
• June 9 – Canton, O. Tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the National First Ladies Library. Lunch at Home Town Buffet. Cost is $52, all inclusive.
• July 14 – Utica, O. Tour Velvet Ice Cream Co. and the historic Ye Olde Mill. Have lunch in the restaurant at the mill. Then travel to Mansfield, O., for a tour of Kingwood Hall Mansion, a visit to Carousel Magic and Carousel Park. Cost is $52, all inclusive.
• Aug. 3 – Columbus. Visit Senior Day at the Ohio State Fair. Cost is $32, which includes admission and transportation.
• Sept. 15 – Bryan, O. Tour the Stoney Ridge Farm & Winery. Lunch at Lester’s Diner, then a tour of the Henry County Courthouse in Napoleon. Cost is $40, all inclusive.
• Oct. 20 – Columbus. Tour the American Whistlestop Corp., which makes official referee whistles, and Anthony-Thomas Candy. Lunch at Max & Erma’s in Hilliard. Cost is $42, all inclusive.
Flyers and registration are available at Hoeflinger-Bolander Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Ave., Oregon and at local senior centers. Call 419-691-6768 for more information.
Resolve to be ready
Throughout 2010, the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. is sending emergency planning tips out to senior centers and the public to help seniors Resolve to Be Ready for emergencies.
Senior Emergency Planning Tip:
How well you manage during an emergency tomorrow will depend on the planning and preparation you do today. While everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, each person can take steps to prepare for emergencies. Getting an Emergency Kit is simple to do and it may help you stay safe and healthy in an emergency.
Gather emergency phone numbers and personal information and a whistle and a flashlight. Now you’ll need a storage container, like a backpack, plastic storage bin with lid or a small suitcase with wheels
Once you have a storage container you can begin to fill it up with what you might need. First, you can store your personal alert system: a whistle and flashlight (with extra batteries). Then you can add some non-perishable foods, such as peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, nuts and granola bars. Store your kit near the door so you can grab and go in an emergency.
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