Program Spotlights

Blaine Bicycle Club for 50+ Specified Wednesdays, May - October, 10am

If you like to bicycle and want to ride with others and form new friendships while enjoying trails you may not have ridden, this may be the group for you! The BBC plans to ride on most Wednesdays. Volunteer leaders for bike rides are needed. Rides will vary between 10-16 miles round trip at a leisurely pace of 8-10 mph and will generally take place around Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, and Andover. For safety, riders are expected to wear a brightly colored vest, shirt, or jacket, and bring drinking water. Wearing a helmet is required. Headlights, taillights, and reflectors are suggested. Some outings may include a stop at a local restaurant midway through the ride.

A planning meeting will take place at the Mary Ann Young Center on Wednesday, May 3 at 10AM. Call the MAYC at 763-786-9375 if you will be attending the planning meeting. To get notifications of where weekly rides will start from, contact Deb McPeck at debramcpeck@gmail.com to receive notifications.

If you are looking to ride in other locations for evening and extended rides, visit the MN Spokes-N-Folks website at MNSpokesNFolks.com

Blaine Trailblazers Walking Group

Specified Mondays May - October, 9am

Looking for some great exercise? Love being out in nature? Enjoy exploring local parks? Then look no further. Strengthen your physical endurance and develop friendships as you walk with others on beautiful, local trails.

The Blaine Trailblazers will begin the season on Monday, May 15 at Pioneer Park in Blaine. Trails are approximately 1.5-3 miles in length. Wear comfortable clothing, good walking shoes, and dress for the weather.

Park locations will follow a consistent pattern and are as follows:

• 1st Monday of the month: Kane Meadows

• 2nd Monday of the month: Lochness Park

• 3rd Monday of the month: Pioneer Park

• 4th Monday of the month: Pleasure Creek Park

• 5th Monday of the month: Silver View Park No walking group on holidays: May 29, September

4. Watch the activity calendar on back page of newsletter for other date changes. Trail location maps are available at the MAYC.

For further information, contact the walking group leader Beverly Kronstedt at 763-571-7502 Beverly will meet participants at the designated park at 9AM on posted dates. If you plan to join the Trailblazers during the season, please call the MAYC at 763-786-9375 prior to your first group walk.

Nutrition Class:

Nothing Beats a Healthy Heart Friday, May 12, 10am, $6

Bi-monthly nutrition classes led by Health and Wellness Consultant, Heather Carpentier, are quickly becoming popular at the MAYC. Keeping your heart healthy and strong is very important for your overall health. In this class, Heather will share and discuss steps you can take to keep your heart beating strong through diet and lifestyle. Class size 5-20.

Register early to secure your spot. For questions and to sign up call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister

Movie of the Month

I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Thursday, May 18, 1pm

This triumphant celebration of the incomparable Whitney Houston is the untold story of the complex and multifaceted woman behind The Voice. From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time, follow this emotional journey of showstopping performances. This film is being shown on our large screen TV. Enjoy popcorn and punch during intermission.

Register in advance to attend.

To sign up call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister

Landmark Tours Travel Show

Wednesday, June 14, 10am

Leave your worries behind as you travel by plane to beautiful, entertaining destinations. This travel company is high quality and utilized by many metro area senior centers. Expect full itineraries with 4-5 -star accommodations. Upon arrival at the airport, a Landmark Tours representative will take it from there. Register to attend this informational session with plenty of time to get your questions answered as you look over the full color trip brochures.

Jewelry Sale Items and Volunteers Needed

The MAYC is ready to begin collecting donated jewelry for the annual sale to be held in October. Remember, one person’s discards are another person’s treasures! Bring your jewelry donations to the front desk during business hours: Monday through Friday 8:30AM-4PM. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, rings, and more are popular donations. Be sure to attach your name to the items so you can be included in the year-end thank you article. This is the main fundraiser for the year for MAYC, so feel free to ask friends and family for items to donate. If you are interested in sorting, cleaning, and pricing jewelry as it comes in, let staff know at the MAYC by calling 763-786-9375 so we can connect you with the jewelry sale leader, Geri Hieb.

Featured Resources

Property Tax and Rent Credit Assistance

June 6 and July 19, 9am-12pm, Free

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Anoka County in collaboration with local County Commissioners, are bringing this free service to you. No registrations are taken, this is a walk-in, first come, first serve event. Upon entering the Mary Ann Young Center through door #2, you will get a number from the attendant. Participants will be served in order. This program is for senior citizens and people with disabilities applying for their homeowners/renters MN property tax refund (M1PR) form. Clients will need to provide the following:

• 2022 federal form 1040 and 2022 MN return (if filed) or records showing 2022 total household income

• Copy of 2021 M1PR (Homestead Credit Refund or Renter’s Property Tax Refund)

• Homeowners/mobile homeowners need a copy of their 2023 real estate tax statement

• Renters: 2022 Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP)

Clients will be given a copy of their prepared return which they will then mail to the MN Department of Revenue.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Wednesdays, July 12 - August 16, 10am-12pm, $50

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a 6-week evidence-based class which helps caregivers develop the skills to take care of themselves while taking care of someone else. By taking care of their own health and wellbeing, caregivers become more confident in their caregiving roles. Class cost is $50 which includes the $30 cost for the companion class book entitled The Caregiver Helpbook, as well as other valuable class materials. Sessions are held weekly and are facilitated by Jill and Amber, trained leaders of the Anoka County Family Caregiver Connection program. Topics being discussed: reducing stress; improving selfconfidence; finding balance in your life; learning to better communicate your feelings; increasing your ability to make tough decisions, and finding helpful resources. Advanced registration required, class size limited to 16.

For questions and to sign up call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister

Internet Discussion Group

Wednesday, May 24, 10am-12pm

North Metro TV and the MN Office of Broadband Development want to hear your thoughts about the internet. This open discussion session will be held at the MAYC and several questions will be asked such as: Is your internet fast enough? Is it cheap enough? What are you comfortable doing on the internet? What are your internet worries? What classes/training would you like to see offered to improve your internet use? Whether you are an avid/daily user or an occasional user, your opinions and ideas are wanted and needed to help shape future state policies and get funding to help make the internet better for every Minnesotan. Can’t make this session? Email Eric with your questions and ideas at eric@northmetrotv.com

Thank You

• To Dan Fish for donating multiple dining coupons for door prize drawings.

• To those who donated nonperishable items for the MAYC food drive.

• To those who donated puzzles, books, greeting cards, a walker, and prizes

• To Select Senior Living for providing prizes for birthday bingo day.

• To Marlene Nickel and family for the donation of a computer and printer.

• To Candice Christopherson for donating a roll of plastic table covering for painting classes.

Parking Lot

Reminder

Please park between the stall lines to allow space for others to easily open their doors.

Thinking of You

On the Mend

We wish you the best in your recovery:

• Ken Hill

• Lotus Paulus Sympathy

Our sympathy goes out to the following families who recently experienced the loss of a loved one:

• Marie Emmons, age 101, former card player and senior diner.

• Hugo Ledermann, beloved brother of Bob Ledermann.

• Donald Ziegler, age 94, former senior diner who brought multiple family members to join him at dining events.