Connect
August 2024
Mary Ann Young Center
9150 Central Avenue NE Blaine, MN 55434
Contact MAYC Staff
763-786-9375
MAYC@BlaineMN.gov
Monday - Friday, 8:30AM to 4PM
Mission Statement
To enrich the lives of older adults by providing educational, recreation, nutritional, social, informational, and volunteer opportunities in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Stay Connected
Are you on our email and phone list? Call 763-786-9375 to make sure MAYC staff have your most recent contact information. Follow or like BlaineParksMN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BlaineMN.gov/MAYC
Welcome to Amanda Alms
MAYC's New Senior Center Manager
Hello seniors!
We have a new City of Blaine Parks and Recreation staff member for you to meet. Stop by the Mary Ann Young Center to introduce yourself to the new center manager, Amanda Alms. Amanda would love to meet you and hear about your favorite activities at the senior center.
Amanda has a passion for parks and recreation, having studied at the University of Minnesota. With 25 years of experience in multi-generational recreation facilities across Minnesota and Texas, she specializes in fitness and wellness programs for seniors. Amanda is excited to ensure you have plenty of fellowship opportunities, educational programs, special events, and celebrations to keep your social calendar full. When not planning activities, Amanda enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. Be sure to share your tips for surviving Minnesota winters when you see her at the Mary Ann Young Center!
Amazing and Strong at 100
Meet Harold Grandprey
Born in Montevideo on August 22, 1924, Harold will celebrate his 100th birthday this year. Harold states he lived on a “poor farm” until he was 18 years old. He then enlisted in the Army. He attended a variety of schools while in the service for the first two years. Harold was then sent to Europe to serve in the 99th Division of the Infantry for one year. In his last eighteen months of service, he ran an x-ray clinic at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, a military discharge center for the Midwest. Harold met a lovely lady named Beverly at Minnehaha Falls one Sunday afternoon. They were married two years later. Harold secured a job in Minneapolis at Univac off Minnehaha Avenue South and worked there 30 years until he retired in 1987. While working fulltime, he attended the University part time, acquiring an associate degree in 1946 in mechanical and electrical engineering. Harold and Beverly had been married 68 years when she passed away in 2015. They raised two sons, Gary and Greg, and one daughter, Gail. Harold is planning to celebrate his 100th birthday with family in August, and Harold hopes to meet his 5th generation grandchild at the party. He is pictured stepping off the bus at the MAYC where he enjoys attending luncheons and activities on a regular basis. He currently lives in north Blaine with his son Greg. Thanks for sharing your story, Harold, and congratulations on hitting the century mark!
Upcoming Outings
St. Paul Ghosts and Gables Haunted Bus Tour
September 24, 10am-3:15pm, $97
Join your entertaining Victorian ghost guide through historic Saint Paul to hear thrilling tales of hauntings. Designed to give you a bit of a tingle, a shiver, or a laugh while learning some interesting history of our capital city. Locations include Saint Paul's historic Summit Avenue (considered one of the most beautiful streets in the country), charming Rice Park which is older than Central Park in New York City and surrounded by several haunted buildings, plus more! There are over a dozen sites on this tour and a brief stop for a sip of spirits. A light lunch at the St. Paul Grill will include a grilled chicken breast sandwich with thick-cut bacon, swiss and cheddar cheese, and Sriracha mayo. Also included, hand-cut french fries, coffee, and tea. Registration deadline is August 19.
Stillwater Fall Color Boat Ride
October 15, 9:45am-4:45pm, $85
All aboard for a lunch cruise on the St. Croix River. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors as you depart from the Stillwater docks and take a two-hour cruise. Lunch will be served buffet style while on board. Once back on shore, there will be time to explore the waterfront, grab a treat, or do some shopping.
Registration deadline: September 16, no refunds thereafter.
Jukebox Saturday Night: The Music of Mancini Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud October 29, 10am-4:30pm, $99
First stop on the trip is for lunch at Coyote Moon Grill. This lunch buffet will have three chef-made entrees, potatoes, vegetables, a salad bar with Caesar salad, popovers, soup, and a light dessert. Next pay tribute to film/ TV composer Henry Mancini, as the show highlights easy listening chart toppers such as Moon River, music from the Pink Panther franchise, Peter Gunn television series, The Glenn Miller story, and many more. The show is performed by an 11-piece band which includes a vocalist. Registration deadline: September 26, no refunds thereafter.
White Christmas Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
November 6, 10am-4:30pm, $109
This musical will delight audiences of all ages. Irving Berling’s White Christmas is the story of veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis who had a successful songand-dance career after World War II. They soon follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a lodge in Vermont, which happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. Enjoy this dazzling score with featured songs “Blue Skies”, I Love a Piano”, “How Deep is the Ocean” and of course “White Christmas”, to name a few. Lunch is included. Dessert and alcoholic beverages are on your own. Registration deadline: October 4, no refunds thereafter.
For questions and to register, call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister
Program Spotlights
Beginning Card Groups
September - November, 10am
Looking to learn a new card game or to refresh your knowledge on a card game you have not played in a while? Leaders Sue and Ed Lashinski will give instruction on three different games on specified days.
Pinochle - Mondays beginning September 9
In Pinochle you will hear dialogue such as melds, marriages, ropes, pinochle, aces, and more 500 Cards - Tuesdays beginning September 3
Come play 500 and hear terms like blind, trump, no trump, suits, and bowers.
Cribbage - Fridays beginning September 13
This game is played with cards and pegs. Expect to learn about runs, double runs, 15’s, nobs, and more. Once the instructors feel you are ready for the next level, join the intermediate card groups at 1PM on the same day as the beginner group you attended.
Bowling at Blainbrook
Mondays and Fridays, 1pm
Open bowling for seniors at Blainbrook offers discounted prices to bowl three games for just $4.50 per person. Stop by the desk and ask which lanes are designated for senior bowling. Meet new people while getting some great exercise. Address is 12000 Central Avenue NE, Blaine.
Nintendo Wii Fall Bowling League
Specified Tuesdays, September 10 - November 26, 9-10am, $3 league fee
This fun, interactive league offers challenge and physical exercise as you use a Wii Nintendo device to “bowl” on a lane on a MAYC large screen TV. Get your friends together or join as an individual. Open slots available at 11AM. Two games are played each week, for eight scheduled weeks followed by a banquet and mini tournament.
Advanced registration is required, call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister
Open Pool Playing
at the MAYC, free
Looking to hone your pool playing skills? The MAYC has a newly refurbished pool table, new balls, and a heavy duty cover to keep play at its best! Chalk and pool sticks are also available. Pool playing is available most days M-F 8:30AM-4PM. Just call staff in advance to ensure the table is open. Play as an individual or bring friends. Join the fun!
Rental at the MAYC
Monday-Friday, 5-10pm, Saturday, 8am-midnight, Sunday 8am-8pm
Looking to rent a room for your meeting or event? Rooms at the Mary Ann Young Center may be rented on evenings and weekends. Blaine residents receive a discount at time of rental. A minimum of two hours must be rented for each booking. Rooms may be rented according to the following number of people expected: 1-30, 31-60, 61-100, and 101-200. Deposits are required for parties and for rental of the two larger Tom Ryan rooms. Fees vary based on day of the week, size of the room, and resident vs non-resident. Must book a minimum of 14 days in advance of the event. No confetti, glitter, or alcohol allowed. Tours need to be confirmed in advance and generally are best between 2:30-3:30PM Monday through Friday.
Booking may be made online at BlaineMN.gov/FacilityRental, or by calling 763-785-6164
Movie of the Month:
Arthur the King
Thursday, August 22, 1pm, free
Desperate for one last chance to win, Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic featuring 400 miles of climbing, biking, kayaking, and ziplining. As the team gets pushed to the outer limits of endurance, a dog named Arthur comes along for the ride, redefining what victory, loyalty, and friendship truly means. Packed with adventure and heartfelt drama, watch this film based on a true story, on the MAYC large screen TV with popcorn and beverages at intermission.
Advanced registration is required, call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister
Thank You Shelley
At the end of June Shelley Johnson retired after 27 years of working for the City of Blaine. Shelley's retirement celebration was well attended. View photos from the celebration on the Blaine Parks social media pages. Below is a thank you from Shelley Johnson: "To all the wonderful people I have met in my journey at MAYC, thank you for the chance to connect and get you know you. I am missing you already but know that the new manager, Amanda Alms, will be great! Keep attending the MAYC and stay connected. It really is a great place to meet new people, get a delicious lunch, and participate in programs of interest. All my best."
How to Search the Internet
Wednesday, August 14, 10am, $5 donation accepted
The internet can be a very cool place, full of exciting facts and figures to answer every question you've ever wondered! But how do you find just what you're looking for? How do you know which search engine to use? Which results are ads? And is what I'm looking at true or is it fake? North Metro TV's Eric Houston will help you navigate the world of Google, Bing, Duck Duck Go, and more. We will talk about the best ways to search the internet, how to find reliable resources, and what you can do to find the answers you need. This class is designed for beginning internet users but is open to everyone.
Advanced registration is required, call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister.
Featured Resources
Caregiver Support Group
2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 10am-12pm
The Family Caregiver Connection of Anoka County led by coordinator Jill Agekum, invites those caring for an older adult to attend support meetings at the Mary Ann Young Center. Caregiver support groups help caregivers build support networks, provide comfort, and share information about caregiving issues. New friendships often develop from these meetings. Just knowing there are others having similar difficulties helps put life into perspective and can shed light on new approaches to caregiving. Register in advance to attend.
Defensive Driving Classes
Specified Thursdays, 9am-1pm, $25
Four-hour refresher classes will be held on specified Thursdays. Register early, as classes fill quickly. Led by a MN Highway Safety and Research Center instructor. Those taking the class will receive a certificate for 10 percent off car insurance for three years. Fall dates: September 5, October 10, November 14, December 12.
Minnesota Legal Aid
1st Tuesday of the month, 11:15am-1:15pm, free
In-person appointments are available to get help with a legal issue. Mid Minnesota Legal Aid will help get you started to find answers to your legal questions. Specify your topic of interest at time of registration, so that Legal Aid staff can prepare in advance of your appointment. Time slots are 30 minutes in length. You must be an Anoka County resident to qualify for this program.
Home Movie Transfers Offered by North Metro TV
Senior discount offered, $5
For just $5, you can have any of the following transferred to a DVD: one video tape of any kind, one large reel of film, five 3” reels of film, 25 photographs or slides, or one duplicate DVD. This is an exclusive senior discount of up to 80 percent off NMTV’s regular rates, for friends of the Mary Ann Young Center. Tax not included. Some exclusions may apply. Limit one coupon per household. Just pick up the coupon from the MAYC, make an appointment by calling North Metro TV at 763-231-2803, then bring the coupon and your home movies to 12520 Polk Street NE, Blaine, MN 55434 at your appointment time. You may also contact them at eric@northmetrotv.com
Resources and Brochures Available at the MAYC
Looking for some local information on a topic of interest? There is a large variety of resources available on the display rack behind the front desk of the MAYC. Topics include but are not limited to home health care, senior housing guidebook, help with moving, care giving, store to door grocery delivery, senior companion program, senior law project, outpatient therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, affordable prescription medication, and more. These resources are provided as a courtesy to local community organizations as possible reference material and are not specifically endorsed by MAYC staff.
Hip and Knee Arthritis
Causes, Management, and Treatment Options
Thursday, August 15 10:30am, free
Participants can expect to learn about common hip and knee problems, the biology and anatomy that causes them, and the many non-operative treatment options that are available. Dr. Sandhu with Summit Orthopedics will also discuss hip and knee replacements, what to expect and how it can be a reliable long-term solution.
Advanced registration is required. Call the MAYC for additional assistance at 763-786-9375
The Human Factors Safety Laboratory at the University of Minnesota is seeking volunteers aged 60-89 to participate in a driving research study. In this study, you will be asked to drive normally for six months, while using a potential driver coaching app, mindfulness meditation app while not driving, both apps, or will be randomly assigned to a control group (no coaching app use). Drivers will receive a payment of $400 for their participation.
To be eligible, you must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance, drive at least three times a week on average, have normal or correct vision (20/40 or better), own an Android or iPhone smartphone, and have no cognitive, hearing, or physical constraints that may limit your driving performance.
Those interested are encouraged to contact Marshall Mabry at mabry018@umn.edu
Learn more at, hfsl.umn.edu
Thinking of You
Sympathy
Our sympathy goes out to the following families who recently experienced the loss of a loved one:
• Dorothy Albers, former MAYC queen, jewelry sale leader, and dinner volunteer, preceded in death by her loving husband, Bert.
Former Senior Center Director, Shelley Johnson and City Manager, Michelle Wolfe
MAYC Programming
August Activities Calendar
Advanced registration is required, Call 763-786-9375 or visit BlaineMN.gov/MAYCRegister
Virtual/Provider Programming
Contact provider to register for programming. Programs not held at MAYC.
MAYC Meals
Meals are served at noon for a suggested donation of $5 for those age 60+ and $8 for those under age.
Activities Schedule
Dining Menu provided by VOA
9am Walking GroupKane Meadows 10am
12:30pm
1pm
1pm
1pm
1pm
1pm
1:15
Sweet Thai Chili Meatballs, Confetti Rice, Broccoli, Egg Roll, Pineapple Tidbits, Blue Raspberry Jello w/Whip Topping
9am Walking GroupLochness Park
10am Basket Making
10am Virtual Fitness
10:30am Sing-along
12:30pm Beg Ukulele
1pm Bowling Blainbrook
1pm Int Pinochle
1pm Int Ukulele
1pm Nickel Bingo
1pm Pegs and Jokers
1:15pm Fitness On-Site
Brat w Sauerkraut on Bun, Tater Gems, Coleslaw, Oatmeal Crème Pie Cookie
ALT: All beef Hot Dog
9am Walking ClubPioneer Park
10am Virtual Fitness
12:30pm Beg Ukulele
1pm Bowling Blainbrook
1pm Int Pinochle
1pm Int Ukulele
1pm Nickle Bingo
1pm Pegs and Jokers
1:15pm Fitness On-Site
Baked Chicken Breast with Mojo Sauce, Orzo Florentine, Diced Carrots, Pineapple Tidbits, Multigrain Bread/ Butter, Brownie
9am Walking ClubPleasure Creek
12:30pm Beg Ukulele
1pm Bowling Blainbrook
1pm Int Pinochle
1pm Int Ukulele
1pm Nickle Bingo
1pm Pegs and Jokers
1:15pm Fitness On-Site
Chicken Patty on a Bun, Potato Wedges, Diced Pears, Boston Cream Pie, Buffalo/Ranch Sauce Packet
7am-8pm Primary Election Voting at MAYC 10am Virtual Fitness 1pm Int 500 Cards 1:15pm Fitness On-Site
Philly Sandwich on Hoagie Bun, Roasted Potatoes, Fruit Cocktail, Chef’s Choice Cookie Italian Chicken Pasta Salad, Broccoli Salad, Fresh Fruit, Breadstick/Butter, Strawberry Jello w/Whip Topping
Cheeseburger on Bun, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Apple Pie
10am Virtual Fitness 10am-4:30pm Winery Trip/Tour
1pm Int 500 Cards
1:15pm Fitness On-Site 7pm Woodcarving Group
Turkey Mac Salad, Marinated Cucumber Salad, Fresh Fruit, Dinner Roll/Butter, Chef’s Choice Cookie
9am Senior Companion 9:30am-1:30pm Tech Lab
10am Blaine Bicycle Club
10am Caregiver Support 10am How to Search the Internet
1pm Hand & Foot 1pm Mahjong 1pm Woodcarving Group
Greek Chicken Salad (Romaine lettuce, Chicken, Parmesan Cheese, Black Olives, Tomato Wedges), Breadstick/Butter, Fresh Fruit, Lime Jello Cake, Italian Dressing/Crouton Packets
10am Blaine Bicycle Club
1pm Hand & Foot 1pm Mahjong 1pm Woodcarving Group
Chicken Taco Meat, Flour Tortillas, Seasoned Pinto Beans, Mexican Corn, Blonde Brownie, Shredded Cheese
8am-4pm Foot Care 9:30am Bridge Cards 10am Virtual Fitness 10:30am Arthritis Presentation by Summit Orthopedics
1:15pm Fitness On-Site
Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Rice Pilaf, Diced Carrots, Diced Peaches, Dinner Roll/Butter, Strawberry/Banana Pudding ALT: Lemon Pepper Chicken
1:30-3:30pm Creative Corner 9am Beg Ukulele 9-11am Billiards 10am Int Ukulele
1pm Bowling Blainbrook 1pm Int Cribbage 1pm Scrabble
Stuffed Green Pepper, Roasted Potatoes, Tropical Fruit, Garlic Toast/Butter, Rhubarb Crisp w/Whip Topping
Sloppy Joe on Bun, Au Gratin Potatoes, Applesauce, Lemon Bar
9:30am Bridge Cards
Movie: Arthur the King
pm Fitness On-Site 1:30-3:30pm Creative Corner
Krab Mac Salad, Marinated Vegetable Salad, Dinner Roll/ Butter, Sliced Strawberries ALT: Chicken Mac Salad Beef Hotdog on Bun, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Watermelon, Chef’s Choice Cookie, Ketchup/Mustard Packets
Chicken Drumstick, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Corn Bread/Butter, Butterscotch Pudding w/Whip Topping
9am Beg Ukulele
9-11am Billiards 10am Int Ukulele
11am Novel Nook
1pm Bowling Blainbrook
1pm Int Cribbage 1pm Scrabble
& Sour Pork Loin, Fried Rice, Broccoli, Mandarin Oranges, Egg Roll, Fudge Round Cookie
Sweet & Sour Chicken Breast
Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, California Blend Veggies, Dinner Roll/ Butter, Coconut Cream Pie