How does your garden grow?

I’m no gardening expert—more like the kind who celebrates keeping a bamboo plant alive!—which makes me respect and admire those with green thumbs who possess dedication, strong work ethic, and an eye for beauty.

Executive Editor

Sabrina Kahwaty

Managing Editor Donna Hoke

Assistant Editor Daniel Curry

Contributing Writers Carol Ann Harlos, Olivia Guthrie, Jonnemarie Kahwaty, Judith A. Rucki, Carol DiPirro-Stipkovits

Proofreader

Creative Director

ART & PRODUCTION

Sharon C. Levite

Jean-Pierre Thimot

Lead Designer Nicholas Vitello

Senior Graphic Designers / Illustrators Joshua Flanigan, Kim Miers

Graphic Designers Taramarie Mitravich, Rachel Kaznica

Photographers kc kratt, Luke Copping, Stephen Gabris, Eric Frick, Nancy J. Parisi, Dan Cappellazzo

ADVERTISING & SALES

Gardening is an annual feature for Forever Young, because it’s that popular, and there is always something new to learn. This month, that’s conservation effort “No Mow May,” how to identify creatures in your yard, current horticultural trends, and local houseplant shop, Put a Plant On It. With so much to read, you may have to force yourself to put down this issue and tend your garden!

Elsewhere in our pages, read about a new exhibit honoring community elders, ways to keep your brain active, and how to

Director of Sales & Advertising

Barbara E. Macks

National Ad Director Terri Downey

Senior Account Executives

Mary Beth Holly, Caroline Kunze, Robin Lenhard

Account Executives Keren Green, Rachel Wasserman

Sales Coordinator

MARKETING & CIRCULATION

Director of Audience Development

Social Media Director

Digital

Robin Lenhard

Robin Lenhard

Robin Lenhard

Web Master Kim Miers

ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCE

Administrative & Finance Director Michele Ferguson

Forever Young is published monthly, with an annual Senior Directory. Copyright ©2023 by Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc. 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228 and is open Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The entire contents of Forever Young are copyrighted 2023 by Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc. and may not be reproduced in any manner, either whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. All rights reserved. Display advertising information and rates may be obtained by calling (716) 783-9119 ext 2250. For home delivery by mail, send check or money order for $12.00 payable to Forever Young. Standard mail postage paid at Amherst, NY 14228. POSTMASTER send change of address to Forever Young, 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228. Manuscripts and free calendar listings should be sent to the editor (skahwaty@foreveryoungwny.com) at 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by

Sabrina Kahwaty Executive Editor

*PLEASE CONTACT EVENT/PROGRAM ORGANIZERS TO CONFIRM INFORMATION PROVIDED Do you have an event or resource to list? Email it to skahwaty@foreveryoungwny.com.

Online IMAGINE BUFFALO SPEAKER SERIES Presented by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library in conjunction with C-SAAHN and ImagineLifelongLearning.com via Zoom every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Each week features a local speaker and Q&A. FREE. Visit website for Zoom link: buffalolib.libcal.org

Online LAUGHTER WELLNESS

Come as you are, just bring your laughter! Tuesdays at 11 a.m. FREE. Visit facebook.com/BuffaloLaughers for information.

Gowanda HEALTHY COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

Activities open to the public age 50+, (no residency requirements), Concord Senior Center, 1 School Street, Gowanda; for schedule, visit communityalliance.org; 532-1010

Niagara Falls SENIOR COMPANION/FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

Looking for seniors who enjoy working with their peers or children. Volunteers receive a tax-free stipend, transportation assistance, and supplemental insurance coverage while volunteering. If you are 55+ and want to make a difference, call 2858224 Jennifer Britton (ext. 217) for Senior Companions and Kelly Carr (ext. 228) for Foster Grandparents

Clarence WNY MEDICARE SMART START PROGRAM offers free help applying for Medicare. WNY MEDICARE SMARTSAVER PROGRAM offers free help to review, research, maximize coverage, and minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Services offered through WNY Medicare Resource Center. Info: 833-0252 or wnymedicare.org

Buffalo HEADWAY SUPPORT GROUPS For individuals who have sustained brain injuries, their families, and caregivers; exchange information and resources, and find mutual support and encouragement. Info: 408-3100 or headwayofwny.org

Southtowns NEW HORIZONS

MUSIC Calling all musicians 50+. For info, email Janet Stout at 354janet@gmail.com and visit newhorizonsmusic.org.

Hamburg ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP for males; call 626-0600 or visit alz.org/wnyc for info.

Depew BREAST CANCER NETWORK OF WNY Call 7060060 or visit bcnwny.org for more information.

West Seneca AMANA GARDEN CLUB OF WEST SENECA, is welcoming new members interested in gardening, floral arrangement, and more. For more information, contact Marie: 884-8543

Buffalo PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP United Way – Room 219, 742 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Contact: Stephanie Mruzek. Email: eastamherstDSM@ solsticeseniorliving.com. Visit parkinson.org for a full listing of Parkinson’s support groups in WNY.

Buffalo ZERO/US TOO!

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Buffalo VA Hospital (3495 Bailey Avenue, Room 301) 7-9 p.m. and at Sisters Hospital, St. Joe’s Campus (2605 Harlem Road in the First Floor Community Room)

7-9 p.m., on the third Tuesday of each month. Free and open to all.

Williamsville MCGUIRE GROUP MEMORY CARE SUPPORT: Coordinated with the Alzheimer’s Association, with caregiving tips and coping mechanisms. Info: 6323700 or mcguiregroup.com

Buffalo LGBTQ MEMORY LOSS CAREGIVERS PROGRAM: The Pride Center of WNY offers support and education for people providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. For information: 8527743 or pridecenterwny.org

NIAGARA FALLS SINGLES

SOCIAL CLUB: This active 50+ crowd holds Meet & Greets second

Fridays at Tim Hortons (8500 Niagara Falls Boulevard) and dances third Friday at Buff Social Club (2565 Young St.). For more info, see Facebook: SINGLES SOCIAL CLUB or call 550-1232

TOPS CLUBS Take Off Pounds

Sensibly Clubs offer tools, programs, support, and fellowship for healthy living and weight management. Akron For info, call Diane 542-4980 Cheektowaga For info, call Karen 247-2334

Cheektowaga For info, call MaryAnn 895-4414

Niagara Falls For info, call Beth 385-7558

Farnham For info, call 934-9619

Lancaster For info, call Eva 407-0539 Silver Creek For info, call 680-0313

Tonawanda For info, call 693-5161