Council Communicator Sept 13

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COMMUNICATOR Delaware County’s Bimonthly Guide to Aging Services

V OlUME 21 NO. 5

www.growingolder.org

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From Stress to Smiles Clients who meet with the Council's insurance specialist are amazed at the help she provides — and the money they save

By Jeff Robinson Paula Dean makes one thing clear from the get go — she is NOT going to be doing any cooking.

Yes, she shares a name — though with a different spelling — with the down-home southern chef.

But the insurance specialist at the Council for Older Adults says the similarities end there. Her clients and those in her "New to Medicare" classes don't seem to mind, however; the thousands of dollars she saves them in insurance costs each year more than make up for the absence of any comfort food or rich desserts.

Those who have worked with Dean, and have benefited from her efforts to analyze their insurance and prescription drug plans, tell her that INSIDE

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“I have a lot of people say ‘What do I owe you for your time?’ and I say, 'Nothing,'” Dean said. “My services are paid for by the senior services levy.”

her skills are priceless. Dean appreciates the compliments, and said she wishes only that more people in

Dennis and Sue Snavley, left, talk with Insurance Specialist Paula Dean about insurance options.

Delaware County knew about the work she does. Comments such as “I didn’t know you were here” or “I didn’t know the Council for Older Adults offered this” reach her ears a little more often than she’d like.

“This is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had, because I didn’t know there was such a need for this,” Dean said. “I didn’t know how over-

whelming insurance is for so many people.”

Navigating through a sea of insurance options For some, “overwhelming” can be an understatement. Dean said she gets up to 15 calls per day “about a variety of things,” from Medicare Part STRESS TO SMILES continues on page 16

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Brent Carson —Purveyor of the Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2 Make Time to Make a Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 12 What to Do about Hearing Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 19 Volunteer Spotlight: Chun Qin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 20 DelawaReaDS Rides again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 23

Center for Older Adults • 800 Cheshire Road • Delaware, OH 43015 Phone: 740-363-6677 • www.growingolder.org

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brent Carson — purveyor of the past The theme of the Delaware County Historical Society’s booth at this year’s Delaware County Fair is “Barns, Farms and Homesteads,” and while the area has had its share of all three over the years, none of them can talk.

That’s where Brent Carson comes in. In Delaware County, there is perhaps no one better than Carson to supply the oral history to accompany the photos, documents, plats and maps that depict the county’s past.

Carson is a mainstay at the Historical Society’s fair booth, and the go-to source for just about anything pertaining to the Delaware County of yesteryear.

“In coming up with the theme for this year, we realized that we didn’t have many photos of our old barns and farms, and that we needed to collect them before they dispersed,” Carson said. “We were in contact with the Farm Bureau and delivered some fliers in an effort to assemble the display.”

Carson currently serves as president of the Historical Society’s board of directors, but his love of local history started in his teaching days, well before his tenure as an officer. He started teaching history at Willis School in 1974, after graduating from Heidelberg College (now Heidelberg

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JEFF RObINSON editor

COUNCIL COMMUNICATOR University), and he worked local history into his curriculum. At the time, he was acquainted with George and Marilyn Crider.

“George was in the AV department at Willis. He had a large postcard collection and had amassed a large collection of postcards of the history of the community,” Carson said. “He turned some of those postcards into slides, and he said to me ‘If you’re willing to do some programs (on local history), we’ll set you up with some slides.’ That’s when I started being actively involved with local history. And the more programs I gave, the more stories I got.”

Carson recalls a particular program he gave at the Women’s City Club in Delaware. One of the slides in the program was a picture of Mary Catherine Campbell, known for being both the second and third Miss America.

“Her grandparents lived in Delaware, and after the program an older lady said she appreciated seeing that slide,” Carson said. “She said she was (Mary Catherine’s) cousin and still

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A portion of the basement in Brent Carson’s Delaware home is designed to look like the barn from his family’s farm.

corresponded with her at Christmas. I asked her if I could get an address so I could write to her and see if she had any memories of the community.”

Carson sent her a letter and included a photo of her grandparents’ home. He was surprised when a

response from Mary Catherine arrived a short time later.

“I got a letter back in shaky handwriting. She said it was hard for her to hold a pen so she no longer corresponded, but she felt she had to SENIOR PROFILE continues on page 8

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New Art in the Courtyard In July, Center for Older Adults volunteers created two mosaic panels in the courtyard. Led by retired teachers and mosaic artists Lynda Elias and Virginia Corwin, the panels depict a dragonfly, butterfly, and flowers in blues, greens, and vibrant tones.

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Symptom Relief Available for Menopause SENIOR Even though menopause can have significant physical and emotional symptoms that persist into the retirement years, it does not have to signal the end of vitality and sexuality.

Menopause is a natural biologic process that marks the end of menstruation and fertility as the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen in perimenopause until they shut down for good in menopause. It does not require treatment, but there are a number of things we can do to relieve symptoms.

A woman is in menopause if she has stopped having periods for 12 months.

The average age of menopause in the United States is 52. Symptoms can begin years earlier in perimenopause and continue years afterward in post menopause.

I’ve had patients in their 70s still having hot flashes, a common menopausal symptom.

We recommend that postmenopausal women schedule regular doctor appointments and age-appropriate screenings because the risk of medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction increase after menopause.

Menopausal symptoms range from mild to severe, and some women don’t have any symptoms at all. Hot flashes — often accompanied by night sweats that disrupt sleep — are the most common symptom, but other symptoms include mood changes, weight gain (from a slower metabolism), vaginal dryness, and some effects from the lack of estrogen such as thinning hair, skin laxity, and loss of breast fullness.

In many cases, I’ve seen dietary and lifestyle changes, including relaxation techniques and regular exercise, alleviate hot flashes and other symptoms among

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SUzANNE lIN, DO

grady Memorial Hospital

OHIOHeaLTH OBSTeTRICS aND gyNeCOLOgy PHySICIaNS

patients who give these changes time to work. Acupuncture also has been used effectively to decrease hot flashes. Diet and exercise are important to combat a natural inclination to gain weight in the post menopause years.

If hot flashes and/or other symptoms continue to interrupt your life, it is time to consider medical interventions.

Hormone replacement therapy certainly is our most effective treatment for hot flashes. It also helps prevent bone loss and fractures.

For women at high risk for breast cancer and other women who may not be candidates for hormone replacement, some prescription medications, including certain antidepressants, may limit the frequency and ease the intensity of hot flashes. Antidepressants also may be used to address mood changes.

Vaginal estrogen can relieve dryness responsible for sexual pain. Over-thecounter lubricants can also be helpful.

We usually know from your signs, symptoms and age if you have begun “the change of life,” but in rare circumstances we can run blood tests to check for the levels of certain hormones. Hot flashes, mood disorders/changes are among symptoms that usually fade over time, even without treatment.

Menopause is for life, but its symptoms are temporary.

COUNCIL The Council Communicator newspaper is a publication of Delaware County’s Council for Older adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware, OH 43015. The Council Communicator is published six times a year during the first week of January, March, May, July, September and November.

Jeff Robinson, editor Cynthia Croce Smith, Design SNP Printing, Print Production Donna Meyer, Production Coordinator The Council for Older adults is a non-profit organization serving the older population throughout Delaware County.

The Council was created to plan, coordinate and develop services designed to enable older persons living in the county to remain independent in their own homes and community. board of Directors PReSIDeNT: Larry Harris, Delaware VICe PReSIDeNT: Roger Van Sickle, Delaware SeCReTaRy: ali Solove, Powell TReaSUReR: Tansukh J. Salgia, Ph.D., Galena PaST PReSIDeNT: Karen Pillion, Sunbury alice frazier, M.D., Delaware Robert gaffey, Ph.D., Delaware Dwayne gardner, Ph.D., Delaware Jan garlock, Westerville george Kannapel, Powell Susan Lasley, Powell Ross Long, J.D., Delaware Jane Nance, R.N., Galena Dick Skuce, Powell george Speese, Delaware Robert Sprengnether, Galena Bob Walsh, R.N., Delaware John Watkins, Radnor The Council Communicator is made possible through the generosity of advertisers, donations from individuals, and the contributions of volunteers. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not represent an endorsement of products, services, or political candidates and issues by the Council for Older adults.

The Council Communicator cannot guarantee the return of articles or photographs submitted for publication. about 45,000 copies of each edition are printed and distributed throughout Delaware County. In the City of Delaware, the Council Communicator is distributed in The Delaware Gazette. To Sunbury residents, the Council Communicator is distributed in the Sunbury News. The Council Communicator is also distributed to subscribers of the Columbus Dispatch, wherein it is included as part of the Sunday paper with the release of each new issue of the Communicator. In addition, the Council Communicator is available at social service agencies, healthcare providers, public offices, libraries, and over 50 other locations throughout Delaware County. If you do not receive The Delaware Gazette or the Columbus Dispatch and would like to find a nearby pick-up site, please contact the Council for Older adults at (740) 363-6677 or (800) 994-2255 or visit www.growingolder.org.

To advertise or to submit articles or for comments, please contact Donna Meyer, associate Director of Communications, (740) 363-6677, (800) 994-2255, or donna@growingolder.org.

We reserve the right to refuse advertising from any business or organization whose mission may conflict with the Council’s.

The board of Directors of the Council for Older Adults meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at noon, at the office of the Council for Older Adults, located at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware, Ohio. Meetings are not held in June and August.

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A Different kind of Chorus When you are young, you think you know everything and you think you can do anything.

That’s a generalization, of course, but that pretty much describes me. This attitude seems silly to me now, but it may have been a good thing at the time. I often think that if I had known how difficult some things would be to accomplish, I may have never tried in the first place. My youthful ignorance and overconfidence have served me well.

Experience, if you are paying attention, has a way of making you humble. It seems as I grow older that life routinely serves up generous portions of humility, and this is particularly true as I go about the business of managing this organization. I regularly meet people of whom I am in awe, who demonstrate great courage, great caring and/or great talent and skill. People whom I aspire to be more like, if I only could.

I see people here at the Center who routinely carry heavy personal burdens with such grace and good humor that it is inspiring. You will hear no complaints from them, only smiles and pleasant words of encouragement to make your day. I see people who are so caring and compassionate, so giving of their time and talents.

I feel guilty some days for going home at night.

Every day I see people here who are so skilled and talented and so good at what they do that I am routinely amazed.

People who are so artistic they

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every year).

My real joy is that I get to DIRECTOR direct this chorus of talented people. I can’t sing, but when we are all on the same page and singing the same song with our individual voices in harmony, it’s a beautiful thing. We reach people, we make things better, and we change lives. bOb HORROCkS I used to think that I could executive Director do anything. Now I know that I COUNCIL fOR OLDeR aDULTS can accomplish nothing without the wonderful team of individuals that surrounds me. What can turn scraps of junk into God shorted me on brains and beautiful artwork. People who talent, He more than made up can make a boring spreadsheet come alive and enlighten. People for with a generous helping of good fortune. who have the clinical skill to Please come join our chorus. understand and solve a compliI need all the help that I can get, cated problem that may not and you will enjoy the music. even have been spoken. People who can make healthy food taste great and stay within budget. People with the persistence to come in early and stay late until the problem is solved.

People who deal with complicated mechanical systems, but who make it look simple. People who can communicate complex ideas with a simple picture or graphic or with a few magical words.

People who never stop learning and growing. People who have the patience of Job and people who seem to always know just the right thing to say at just the right moment.

I am in awe of all of them and I wonder how lucky I am to be here with them. I often say that one of my most important jobs as director is to hire people smarter and more talented than I am (and I am quick to add that this task seems to get easier

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Scarlet & Gray Shindig planned for Sept. 5 The Committee to Save Senior Services will host its 15th annual fundraising event at Brookshire, 405 Greif Parkway, just south of Delaware, from

5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Building on the popularity of previous Buckeye-themed fund-raisers, it will be called the “Scarlet & Gray Shindig.�

This event, presented by Manos, Martin & Pergram Co., LPA, always proves to be a great evening, with food, beer and wine, entertainment, games, prizes, and live and silent auctions.

This yearly event serves as the only fund-raiser for the Committee to SHINDIG continues on page 5

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HAPPENINGS continued from page 24 Line Dancing (Early Beginners): Thurs., 1 p.m.

Dominoes: Thurs., 1 p.m.

Photography Group: 4th Thurs., Sept. 26 & Oct. 24, 1-2:30 p.m.

Reminiscence Theatre: Thurs., 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Hand Work with Friends (knitting & crochet group): Thurs., 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Tai Chi Classes: Thurs., 4 & 5 p.m.

Weight Watchers Meeting: Thurs., 5 p.m.

Aquatic Low Impact Aerobics: Thurs., 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Senior Center Dining Group: 3rd Thurs., 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY pROGRAMS Open Play Bridge: Fri., 10 a.m.

Think Positive: A Little Bit of Inspiration: Fri., Sept. 6 & Oct. 11, 10-11 a.m.

Computer Help/Support: 1st, 2nd and 4th Fri., 11 a.m.

Mind Aerobics: Fri., 11 a.m.-noon Bingo: Fri. 1-3 p.m.

Genealogy Forum: 3rd Fri., Sept. 20 & Oct. 18, 1-3 p.m.

Creative Expressions – Open Studio: Fri., Sept. 6, 1-3:30 p.m.

Creative Expressions – Wooden Reindeer for the Holidays: Fri., Oct. 18 & 25, 1-3:30 p.m.

Liquid Stained Glass: Fri., Sept. 20 and 27 & Oct. 4, 1-3:30 p.m.

The Golden Notes: Fri., 1:15 p.m.

pARk AVENUE ONlY: Euchre: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Cost is $1.50.

SpECIAl EVENTS: Matter of Balance: Mondays through Sept. 30, 3-5 p.m. Call Delaware General Health District at (740) 368-1700 to take part in these classes.

“Swallowing Difficulties” – Delaware Speech & Hearing: Thurs., Sept. 5, 10 a.m.-noon 50-Year Celebration of Senior Citizens Inc: Sept. 9-13, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Health & Wellness Series/Lecture – Wexner Heritage Village: Wed., Sept 11, 10 a.m.-noon Volunteer Appreciation Party – Volunteers…Our Shining Stars: Thurs., Sept. 12, 1-3 p.m.

Mt. Carmel Mammography Mobile: Mon., Sept. 23, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Departure Meeting – Italy: Tues., Sept.

24, 5-7 p.m.

Authentic Writing and Living History – to partner with Olentangy Orange Middle School: Thurs., Sept. 26, 9:1510:15 a.m.

Annuities & Your Retirement: Are They Right for You?: Tues., Oct. 8, 10-11 a.m.

Health & Wellness Series/Lectures – Wexner Heritage Village: Wed, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-noon Community Recycling Flower Project: Fri., Oct. 11, 1-3:30 p.m. Oakland Nursery to present program Reminiscence Theatre Production: Tues., Oct. 15, 1 p.m.

Visit the Council for Older Adults online.

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ClUb NEWS Thursday we have a birthday dinner at different locations. Come out and join us for games every Thursday at 1 p.m.

The Delaware general Health District is at the building from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on our regular meeting date. pROSpECT SENIOR CITIzENS Meets at: Prospect Senior Citizens Building, 318 N. elm St., Prospect Regular meeting date and time: every Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact Person: Marjorie fox, (740) 360-8639 Dues: $10 a year for those 55 and older.

Meeting: On Thursdays, lunch is available for $3.50 per person. We are also open every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for games with a brown bag lunch. all card games are played such as euchre, pinochle, bridge, hand &

foot, and pool. The last Tuesday of each month a potluck is held at noon with cards all day. We are located in southern Marion County and we have many Delaware County members.

Ongoing Activities: a free blood pressure clinic is held the last Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. until noon. a business meeting is held the second Thursday immediately after the noon lunch.

WESTERVIllE AAUW The american association of University Women Westerville Branch (aaUW) presents a program for women and men. These meetings are free and open to the community and held on the 2nd Thursday of the month. The meetings begin with a “ meet and greet” starting at 7 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. for more

information on the monthly meeting place and topics of discussion, call 614-891-4677. Our regular meeting place is Westerville area Resource Ministry, 175 e. Broadway ave., Westerville.

DElAWARE AAUW Contact: Roberta Clark, (740) 3633965 Dues: Dues are calculated according to membership status, as described on the website.

Meeting dates, time & location: Meeting dates, times and locations vary as shown on the schedule for this year. Those with an “ *” are scheduled jointly or by another group and we are attending their function. Please notify Roberta Clark at (740) 363-3965 when planning to attend a dinner meeting. all meetings are open. If

there are changes to the schedule, they will be updated on the website at www.delohioaauw.wordpress.com. lEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF DElAWARE COUNTY Contact: Karen Rainey, (740) 3689001, Karengr@yahoo.com The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization advocating citizen participation in government.

Our organization is active at the local, state and national levels of government, with each level setting priorities for study and action. Membership is open to all citizens of voting age – women and men. all meetings are open to the public. Call for more information or check www.lwvdelawarecountyohio.com.

Two Chore programs, One Goal The Council for Older Adults has partnered with the Delaware County Department of Job and Family Services as well as Delaware County Juvenile Court to offer two helpful programs for seniors. If you need assistance with certain household chores, such as heavy cleaning, yard work/yard clean-up, planting, minor painting, minor home repairs, or window washing, we can help arrange for supervised youths and young adults to complete those projects through the Seasonal Chore Program offered by the Delaware Department of Job & Family Services.

Please note that ongoing lawn mowing will be limited this year to yards that are only one acre or less, and individuals must meet certain financial guidelines to be eligible for mowing services. Seniors who are interested in utilizing this program must complete a Seasonal Chore application and return it to the Council’s office by Friday, Oct. 18.

Individuals needing assistance with yard chores such as leaf raking, planting, picking up sticks/limbs, mulching, etc. may request the chore program offered by Juvenile Court. For both programs, seniors must have the tools and supplies necessary to complete chore requests, and must be home for their chores to be completed in a timely fashion. The services are free, and certain eligibility requirements may apply. For details, call the Council at (740) 363-6677 or (800) 994-2255.

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SHINDIG continued from page 4 Save Senior Services. And even though our levy has just passed, it is not too early to begin thinking about how we will pay for our 2018 campaign — this way, when the campaign arrives, we can focus on informing the voters about the importance of senior services. This system of fundraising helps us ensure the continuation of senior services for our county’s older adults.

For ticket sales and additional infor-

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Veterans Day Ceremony Set for Nov. 11

mation, visit the Council office at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware, or the Council’s website at www.growingolder.org.

Advertise Here for only $35

The fifth annual Veterans Day ceremony — organized by Senior Citizens Inc. and local military organizations —will take place on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road in Delaware. All veterans and active military personnel are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet at an 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. seating. The breakfast is sponsored by Carriage Towne Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram. Non-veteran guests can attend for a cost of $7 per person and can purchase tickets between Oct. 1 and Nov. 1 at the Center. Seating is limited, so reservations are required for breakfast and the ceremony. All veterans are invited to wear any part of their military uniforms. Call (740) 203-2381 after Oct. 1 to reserve your seat.

After the breakfast, a ceremony to honor all veterans will begin at 9:45 a.m. This year’s theme is the Vietnam War. Pastor and Vietnam veteran Dwight Cimino will be the keynote speaker. Twenty-one-year veteran Debbie McMillan, who served during the Vietnam era, will serve as emcee for the event. Pastor and veteran Marvin Hintz will share the opening and closing prayers. The remembrance quilt that was begun last year will be unveiled at the ceremony. Mary Fran Cassidy and Hannah Johnson will sing patriotic songs. Hayes High School ROTC cadets, under the direction of Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Anible, will fold the flag. The ceremony will feature a “remembrance table,” with veterans Richard Doritty and Gene Fuller honoring those who have died or are missing in action. Veteran Don DeShazo, from the Delaware County Veterans Services office, and Delaware County Commissioners will present awards to outstanding veterans. The Delaware County Veterans Association will present the colors and lead the rifle salute, while the Buckeye Valley Alumni Band will play military music for the event. Fallen Feather project founder Graham Webb III will speak about the feather project, which honors fallen Ohio soldiers.

Feathers will be on display at the event.

“The ceremony is about taking time to honor those who have protected and served our country,” said Joan Pearse, event coordinator and arts & education director at Senior Citizens Inc. “We sincerely thank and appreciate those who have contributed so much to maintain our freedom.”

Those who have a brick placed in the Veterans Memorial Garden will be listed in the program. The Veterans Memorial Garden, which is located in front of the Center on Cheshire Road, honors past and current members of the military. Individual bricks cost $80 and are still available for purchase. Those ordered before Sept. 13 will be installed in the garden before the Veterans Day ceremony. The garden was generously started with funding from the Raymond B. Austin American Legion Post #115 of Delaware.

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FINANCIAl FOCUS Registering Securities in Firm Name Can be a Bargain In this day and age of $150 designer purses, $50,000 cars and $1 million homes, bargains can be difficult to find. One bargain that’s no secret, however, is registering securities in firm name.

When you register securities in firm name, a bank or brokerage firm takes physical possession of and manages the day-to-day responsibilities associated with your securities. Even though you no longer physically hold your stock or bond certificates, you retain control of the securities and can do with them as you wish.

Registering securities in firm name is truly a bargain when you consider this service typically costs little or nothing and could offer many advantages.

When securities are registered in firm name, the bank or brokerage firm that takes possession of your certificates: • Collects all interest and dividends from the securities for you; • Provides regular updates on the status of your securities; • Notifies you whenever your bonds are called or mature; and • Furnishes one simple annual tax-reporting form.

All of these are attractive services; however, the biggest advantage of registering securities in firm name is the safety this service provides. When your securities are registered in firm name, you no longer have to worry about them being lost, stolen or accidentally destroyed.

Consider, for example, this true story of a Washington investor. This self-made millionaire invested regularly in bonds. Although he registered some of his bonds in firm name, he didn’t trust his investment firm’s computer system with all his bonds.

Unfortunately, this proved to be a costly mistake. When a group of children started a fire while playing with matches, the local fire department couldn’t control the inferno. When the last ember had died, an entire apartment complex and 32 homes, including the home of the bond investor, were completely destroyed, even though the fire department was located just two blocks away.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, but the bond investor lost $1.2 million worth of securities in the blaze. Of course, the bonds could be replaced, but the cost of doing so was

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about $24,000. That’s an expensive lesson.

Some investors think it’s safer to hold onto their stock and bond certificates. If you insist on holding your securities, remember to keep written records of all your certificates. Record the description, amount and certificate number of each security before placing it in a safe-deposit box. Then be sure to keep a close eye on the financial news to be on the lookout for bond calls, mergers, etc., in case you overlook an important piece of mail.

And don’t forget to notify each company of any change in your mailing address, even for a stock that does not pay dividends.

No one plans to lose a security, to have their property stolen or to lose

their possessions in a natural or manmade disaster. Unfortunately, these are everyday occurrences. Why take a chance with your stock and bond certificates when registering securities in firm name is one of the best bargains available today?

— Copyright ® 2013 Edward Jones

Visit the Council for Older Adults online.

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ClUb NEWS ASHlEY SENIOR CITIzENS Meets at: ashley Villa, 240 S. Main St., ashley Regular meeting date and time: 3rd Monday at noon Contact: Dave Thurston, (740) 7472658 or dmthurston2@msn.com Dues: $5 per year Ongoing Activities: We have a potluck at noon followed by entertainment and business meeting. Come and enjoy the fellowship and good food. We play euchre every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Villa. all are welcome. bEllpOINT SENIOR CITIzENS Meets at: Buehler’s Community Room, 800 W. Central ave., Delaware Regular meeting date and time: every Monday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Contact: Bob Burr, (740) 369-0652 Ongoing Activities: We play cards on Mondays. We also walk inside Mingo Park, 7-9 a.m. every weekday morning. bIG WAlNUT SENIOR CITIzENS ClUb Meets at: PJ’s Pizza, 571 W. Cherry St., Sunbury Regular meeting date and time: 1st Thursday (except July) at 11:30 a.m.

Contact: Janey Cook (740) 936-5109, Sharon Souder (614) 855-9243 Dues: $8 per year Ongoing Activities: guest speakers cover many areas of interest and are entertaining, informative, funny and educational. We are a very active and friendly group and would welcome new people to visit and perhaps join us. We have our picnic in July and play bingo in December. There is no meeting if Big Walnut schools are closed for bad weather.

DUblIN COMMUNITY SENIOR CITIzENS

Meets at: Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin Regular meeting date and time: 2nd Monday (except May & December) at 11:15 a.m.

Contact: Wanda Kamler, 614-4104550.

Ongoing Activities: for information about activities and trips, contact the City of Dublin Senior adult Program Office at 614-410-4550.

GENOA TWp. SENIOR CITIzENS Meets at: genoa Community Bldg., 5111 S. Old 3C Hwy., Westerville Regular meeting date and time: 2nd Thursday at noon Contact: Beulah fritsche, (740) 9652640 Dues: $10 per year Ongoing Activities: Seniors 55 and over in genoa Township are encouraged to attend. Come with fresh ideas. at our regular meetings we usually have our potluck but sometimes we have a catered meal. We offer a variety of programs.

HYATTS AREA SENIOR GROUp Meets at: fireside Room, Center for Older adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware Regular meeting date and time: 2nd Tuesday Contact: Barb Spellman, (740) 3693500 Ongoing Activities: Our meetings usually begin at noon; however, the location and starting time may differ depending on the activity for the day.

If you have questions about times or locations, please call the president. The goal of the club is to provide members with a social time, a learning activity, a new experience and a good meal. Our club is open to new members in the

area at all times.

OlENTANGY AREA SENIOR CITIzENS Meets at: Orange Township Hall, 1680 e.

Orange Road, Lewis Center Regular meeting date and time: 1st Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

July and November meet 2nd Wednesday.

Contact: Sheri Scott, (740) 879-3233 Meeting: Music soothes, laughter heals and fel¬lowship bonds. a potluck luncheon is fol¬lowed by a program of music, fun, fel¬lowship and shared community to brighten your day and lighten your spirit on the first Wednesday at Orange Township Hall from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for all interested persons 55 plus years young. The Delaware general Health District will be available for free screenings beginning at 10 a.m. before each luncheon. all are welcome! Please feel free to join in the upcoming festivities.

Ongoing Activities: In addition to the luncheon meetings we offer the following weekly programs: Monday discussion group held in the private group room at Panera Bread on U.S. 23 in front of Meijer. The coffee fellowship begins at 9 a.m. followed by guest presenters at 9:30 a.m. speaking on topics and issues pertinent to Delaware County and senior citizens. a Monday card group is held between 2 and 4 p.m. in the North Orange Park Community Room. We offer fellowship and mind-sharpening activities such as euchre, bridge and other card or board games. We also have occasional day trips to concerts, parks, movies and membership gatherings.

Dates and times are determined by the group. for information on any or all of the above three pro¬grams, contact Sheri Scott at (740) 879-3233 or Kathy

Oster at (740) 548-1985. The current membership survey offers new and current members 19 activity and interest group selections in an attempt to meet the needs of active, vital seniors.

OSTRANDER SENIOR CITIzENS Meets at: Ostrander Community Center, 3737 Ostrander Road, Ostrander Regular meeting date and time: 4th Thursday Contact Person: Wilma Rolfe, (740) 363-0948 Dues: $5 per year Meeting: Those over 55 years of age are invited to join.

Ongoing Activities: We have our regular meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month. We have entertainment before the meeting and refreshments after. On the second CLUBS continues on page 28

How to list your club or group all clubs and support groups have received information forms for 2013. If you are not sending in your activities for the entire year, please be sure to mark your calendars so we receive your information in time for each publication. If you have not received your packet, please contact Brenda Durfey at (740) 203-2357 or 800-994-2255.

Please keep us informed of any changes in officers. Include a contact person, phone number with area code, meeting dates, times and locations, ongoing information, recent news (previous two months) and future news (next two months or any upcoming important dates). We will try to publish as much information as possible.

Send in those pictures! Trips, special occasions or recognitions such as a milestone birthday or anniversaries are great reasons to show off your members.

Pictures should be clear and bright with names of those pictured.

26 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013 TRAVEL continued from page 25 at 9 a.m. and travel to yellow Springs to hike the glen Helen Loop Trail at the glen Helen Nature Preserve. We will have lunch in yellow Springs (on own). after lunch we will hike the Little Miami Scenic Tail. The fee is $45 and it covers transportation, driver's tip and naturalist fee.

Oct. 3 – Hollywood Casino Columbus Trip We will travel to the Hollywood Casino in Columbus for a fun time, leaving the Center at 9:30 a.m. and returning around 3:45 p.m.

You will receive $15 free play and if you have never been to the Hollywood Casino in Columbus, you will also receive another $10 free play. The fee is $39 members in county; $41 members out of county; and $49 nonmembers and covers the transportation and driver’s trip. Lunch is on your own at the Casino.

Overnight Trips: Oct. 7-20: Italy On this escorted tour, we will explore the diverse beauty of Italy. Two-night stays in Rome, Florence, Lake Maggiore, Venice and Sorrento, plus one night in St. Francis Assisi offer plenty of time to visit the main sights with a local guide.

Discover St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum and Roman Forum in

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Rome; Michelangelo’s David and Signori Square in Florence; and St. Mark’s with the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Stops are also made in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower; in Padua to visit St. Anthony’s Basilica and enjoy a cappuccino at the popular Pedrocchi Cafe; in dynamic Milan, where a walking tour features the Duomo, galleria and Milan’s famous fashion district; and in subtropical Lugano in Switzerland. Another highlight is a boat trip to Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori, where dinner with local specialties will be prepared for you. Two nights in Sorrento include a visit to the Isle of Capri, including a jetfoil boat ride and a funicular ride to Capri Village. Also visit Pompeii at the foot of Mount Vesuvius on your way back to Rome. Call Magic Cruises for availability at (614) 847-5551. looking Ahead 2013 Trips: Day Trips: Nov. 21: LaComedia “A Christmas Spectacular” Dec. 12 – Deck the Halls – Stan Hywet in Akron (Christmas lights) Overnight Trips: Dec. 4-6: Biltmore – Ashville, NC

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CAREGIVER CORNER Caregiver Workshops The Council for Older Adults provides monthly support opportunities for active caregivers who provide assistance to their family members and friends. These workshops allow caregivers to learn, grow and gather support. Presentations are provided by various members of our community and focus on a host of topics. Workshops are held on the second Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Upcoming workshops include: Sept. 10: “Finding Your Way Through the Medicare/Medicaid Jungle,” presented by Paula Dean of the Council for Older Adults Oct. 8: “Making Decisions About End of Life Care,” presented by Doug Cluxton, MA, LPC of HomeReach Hospice Nov. 12: “Elder Law Planning: Health Care & Asset Protection for Older Adults,” presented by Louis Borowicz of Baxter & Borowicz Dec. 10: “Family Dynamics & Caregiving,” presented by Paula Taliaferro of Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Workshops are free and are held at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware. Please feel free to bring a friend! To register, please RSVP to Jen Spicer at (740) 203-2377.

4th Annual Senior Health & Safety Day Scheduled for Oct. 31 Mark your calendar and plan to attend the fourth annual Senior Health & Safety Day at the Center for Older Adults on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event, organized by the Council for Older Adults and hosted by Senior Citizens Inc., will feature exhibits and demonstrations by various companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations throughout central Ohio that are interested in keeping seniors safe in all aspects of their lives. In addition, it will be Halloween, so please feel free to come in costume!

In addition to exhibits, Senior Health & Safety Day will offer a number of free health screenings for those age 60 and older. Screenings may include speech and hearing, blood sugar, blood pressure, spinal screenings, and memory screenings, and Kroger will provide flu and pneumonia shots.

You can visit the aquatic pool and fitness room, which will be open during the day for regularly scheduled classes. You will be able to talk with a trainer about starting your own personal exercise program, should you become a member of the Center.

We hope you will join us and our many community partners at Senior Health & Safety Day. For more information on the event, please contact Brenda Durfey at (740) 203-2357 or brenda@growingolder.org. Details will also be available on our website at www.growingolder.org, and on the Senior Citizens Inc. website at www.delawareseniorcenter.org.

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Nominate Your Hero The Delaware County Chapter of the American Red Cross will honor nine local heroes of courage and selflessness at its 11th Annual Heroes Breakfast.

This event also features the winners of the annual Student Writing Contest.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7. Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program runs from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center at Ohio Wesleyan University, located at 40 Rowland Ave., Delaware.

Heroes are named in nine categories, including Community Impact, Firefighter, Health Care, Law Enforcement, Military, Older Adult, Work Place, Youth Good Samaritan and the newly added category for Pet Hero. The Council for Older Adults of Delaware County has been a proud sponsor of the Older Adult Hero Award since the event's inception in 2001. The Older Adult Hero honors a person or persons age 65 or older.

To obtain forms for your hero nomination or the student writing contest, visit www.redcross.org/oh/delaware or www.facebook.com/delcoredcross. The Mayoral Selection Committee will select this year’s nine hero winners.

Do you know a hero in your community? Nominate him or her today! The submission deadline is Oct. 4; nominations can be sent by e-mail to heroes@delco-redcross.org, faxed to (740) 363-5871, or mailed to American Red Cross, Attn: Heroes Committee, 380 Hills-Miller Road, Delaware, OH 43015.

SENIOR PROFILE continued from page 2

respond to my letter,” Carson said.

“She said Delaware was her favorite place in all the world. Her grandparents had lived in what is now The Arts Castle at one time, and her favorite memories were going to Bun’s Restaurant and fishing at Blue Limestone Park.”

Carson said he continues to hear similar stories when he gives a program, and he’s intrigued by the different connections to local history. Aside from all of the stories that he’s heard, Carson has some close ties to local history himself.

His family came to Delaware County in the early 1820s, settling in Concord Township. Carson Cemetery, located along Home Road near Scioto Reserve Country Club, is named for his family. His family left the county but returned in the early 1900s.

“My great-grandfather married Eliza Thompson, who taught at what is now Andrews House in Delaware. She taught President Hayes, who probably was elementary school age at the time,” Carson said.

Carson’s mother’s family settled in the Radnor area.

“My grandfather on my mom’s side was born in 1853. He remembered seeing (Abraham) Lincoln at the State Capitol in Columbus. My mother was born when he was 63 years old,” he said.

Carson lives on his family’s land along West William Street. The old farmhouse that used to be there is gone, and he had the house where he resides built behind where the farmhouse used to sit. He retired from teaching in 2005.

“At that time I had so many history projects to work on, and I knew that the Delaware County Bicentennial was coming in 2008,” Carson said. “I thought it was time to retire and devote more time to local history.”

Even with his wealth of knowledge about the history of the place he calls home, Carson said there are still things to learn about the area.

“I just took a tour of 1 N. Sandusky Street. It’s exciting to go upstairs in that building today,” he said. “There used to be a hat shop up there, and the room is pretty much unchanged.”

Carson has turned his local history expertise into two DVDs since he retired — “Beside Our Springs and Streams” and “Friday Night in the Downtown,” both of which are still available at the Historical Society. He’s also serving on an education curriculum support committee in Delaware that is looking at ways to work local history into current school curriculum.

He may have retired, but he hasn’t slowed down.

“I’m always picking up new tidbits,” he said. “There’s still a lot to learn.”

RETIREES If you or your spouse receive health benefits from OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System) Then you should attend the next local chapter meeting of P-E-R-I of Delaware County.

NEXT MEETING: Oct. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Rd., Delaware PROGRAM: Election of Officers, Information & updates For information & meeting dates, contact President John McDavid at 740-625-5979 or email - jormc@embarqmail.com

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TRAVEl OlENTANGY AREA SENIOR CITIzENS You are invited to travel, at your own expense, with the Olentangy Area Seniors on escorted package tours. All motorcoach tours depart from McDonald’s at U.S. 36/Ohio 37 and I-71, east of Delaware, and from Bob Evans, 960 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Worthington. For additional information or for a detailed flier, call 614-8826822 or 800-686-9640.

Sept. 4: “Ohio, The Mother of Presidents” In the 50 years before the roaring 1920s, 10 men were elected president of the United States and eight hailed from Ohio, giving the state its nickname, Mother of Presidents.

Today we visit the homes of two former presidents: Harding’s Home, Marion: This restored house was built in 1891 and contains almost all original furnishings owned by President Harding and his wife, Florence.

Adjacent to the Harding Home is a press house used during the 1920 campaign, which now serves as a museum dedicated to President & Mrs. Harding’s lives. Rutherford B. Hayes Home, Fremont: Occupying a 25-acre site known as Spiegel Grove is the 31room Victorian mansion and wooded estate of President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes. Also on the grounds is the first official presidential library, which contains family papers and books of the president and his family. Rate per person, including lunch, is $79.

Sept. 21-28: Trains and Canyons of the West Fly from Columbus to Salt Lake City and return from Albuquerque, NM. This tour is being offered in cooperation with Mayflower Tours. Spend two nights in Moab, a green verdant valley at the heart of Utah’s Canyonlands. Visit Dead Horse State Park with its breathtaking panorama of the Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes. Tour Arches

Note: All rates are per person see. “Half Stitched the National Park with a unless otherwise stated. local guide and Musical”– Join the club embark on a scenic of unlikely quilters who float trip with a picnic show up for Amish lunch on the Colorado widow Emma Yoder’s River. Visit Mesa Verde quilting classes. Troubled National Park with its young women, a strugamazing cliff dwellings, gling couple, a widower, home to “the Ancient a rough and tough biker, Ones” – the Anasazi and a preacher’s wife Indians. Ride the make up the misDurango & Silverton Narrow Gauge matched lot. But as their problems Railroad, voted one of the “Top Ten begin to bind them together like the Most Exciting Train Journeys in the scraps of fabric stitched together in a World.” Ride the original Rio Grande quilt, they learn to open up and lend a Line aboard the Cumbres & Toltec helping hand. Is this what God had in Scenic Railroad, one of America’s most mind to heal hurting hearts and create spectacular narrow gauge steam trains. beauty from fragments? “Kreider Dairy Learn the history of Santa Fe on a Farm” – A high-tech view of farming, walking tour with a local guide to visit including a drive down the middle of Loretta Chapel and San Miguel their Cow Palace and a visit to Milking Mission. Rate per person, including 12 Carousel with a bird’s eye view of the meals (three dinners, two lunches and cow merry-go-round. “Biblical seven breakfasts) is $2,464/double, Tabernacle Reproduction” – Learn $3,153/single. Travel insurance is $15 about the construction, function and per person. Deposit per person is $350 history. Rate per person, including five with travel insurance, $200 without meals (two dinners, one lunch and two travel insurance. Request a detailed breakfasts) is $424/double; $404/triple; tour flier. $384/quad; $514/single. (Save $5 per person if paid before 9/1/13). Deposit is Sept. 27: Legends Show – Bearcreek Farms, Bryant, Ind. This $100 per person. is Bearcreek Farms’ final season as it is HARlEM ROAD UNITED closing after offering great entertainMETHODIST CHURCH ment for 37 years. Friday Night Legends is a 50s tribute show. Relive Oct. 4-8: Washington D.C. and the music you grew up with. Rate per Gettysburg, PA Guided tour of D.C. person, including lunch, is $81. includes U.S. Capitol, White House, Oct. 1-3: Noah and Half Stitched, National Archives and all monuments Lancaster, Pa. We’ll enjoy performincluding the new Martin Luther King ances of the following musicals: Memorial, Arlington National “Noah" at the Sight & Sound Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Millennium Theater. Embark on a jour- Soldier, Smithsonian Institute, ney with Noah and his family as they Gettysburg Battlefield and much more. uphold the call of God to build a boat For flier and details of trip, call Pat Reed in a land that has never seen rain! at 614-392-2139 or Diana Robertson Then watch as many animals enter and at (740) 965-4543. A $75 deposit live inside the great ark that surrounds guarantees seating. Deposit is refundthe audience on three sides. Forty-foot- able if trip is cancelled. Total cost of trip tall sets, toe-tapping songs and a mes- is $478 per person, based on double sage of hope make “Noah” a must occupancy.

SENIOR CITIzENS INC. OF DElAWARE COUNTY For additional information on trips, call (740) 369-5133. Stop in to tour Senior Citizens Inc. at the Center for Older Adults and get a list of the new programs we will offer! Delaware County non-residents will pay $2 more for trips and non-members will pay $5 more per trip costing $59 and under and $10 more per trip for a trip costing $60 or over. For all trips, you must sign up and pay at least two months to five weeks in advance of the departure date. Please call the Center for more information if you are interested in any of these trips.

Day Trips & Hiking Experiences (out of the area) Sept. 5: Amish Country Our experience starts at Hershberger Bakery and farmers Market, then we are off to Rolling Ridge Ranch for a one-hour wagon ride through a beautiful amishowned 80-acre park filled with animals from six different continents. you will be able to feed these animals right from the wagon! Lunch will be a family-style feast at an amish home. after lunch you will have free time at the Walnut Creek flea Market. Our last stop before we head back to Delaware is the Walnut Creek Cheese store for ice cream and a chance to shop at the country store filled with bulk foods, spices, cheeses, etc. The fee covers transportation, driver's tip, step-onguide, lunch and ice cream. We leave the Center at 8 a.m. and arrive back in Delaware around 7:30 p.m. fee for this trip is $87 member in county, $89 member out of county, and $97 nonmember.

Sept. 9: Golden Marathon Hiking Trip – Yellow Springs a fun day of fresh air, exercise and fellowship is planned for Monday, Sept. 9 in yellow Springs, Ohio. We will leave the Center TRAVEL continues on page 26

24 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

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HAppENINGS Senior Citizens Inc. of Delaware County 800 Cheshire Road, Suite B (740) 369-5133 President: John McDavid Director: Charlene Browning Membership Dues: Delaware County Residents, $25 *NOTE: Check our website, www.delawareseniorcenter.org, to get the latest information on programs and to find out who the instructors are for the various programs.

Weekly Events: We are open Mon.Thurs., 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., and fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Sat.) Warm Water Exercise – Aquatics: Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.

Classes cost $36 for a six-week series.

Warm Water Exercise – Pool Walking: Mon.-Thurs., noon -12:45 p.m. and fri., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Cost $2 for 45 minutes. Tues. & Thurs., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cost is $4 for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Meals Site: Mon.- fri., 11:30 a.m. Call (740) 203-2432 or (740) 2032433. Reservations required by 8:30 a.m. the day of the meal. We have two meal sites: 420 Park ave. and 800 Cheshire Road.

Drop In Programs: Mon.-fri. Our pool tables, table tennis, poker throw and dart board are open — just walk in! We also have board games and cards available for those who walk in. Our Wii is available on Wed. afternoons.

AT THE

in Oct. Hiking Club: Mon., 9:30 a.m. In Sept. we hike at the Preservation Parks in Delaware County.

Screenings by Wexner Heritage Village – blood pressure, pulse, pulse ox, blood sugar: Mon., Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 14 & 28, 10-11:30 a.m.

Bridge Lessons: Mon., 10 a.m.-noon Bridge Open Play: Mon., 10 a.m.-noon Chair Yoga: Mon., 11 a.m.

Mat Yoga: Mon., noon Book Club: 3rd Mon., noon Oil Painting Group: Mon., 1-3 p.m.

Sept. off – back Oct. 7.

Watercolor Class: Mon., 1-3 p.m., Aug. 19-Sept. 30.

Caring & Sharing: Widow and widower support group: 1st & 3rd Mon., 1-2 p.m.

Bridge: Mon., 1-3 p.m.

Euchre: Mon., 1 p.m.

Table Tennis: Mon. 1-4 p.m. in Sept.

Hiking Club: Mon., 1:30 p.m. In Oct. we hike at the Preservation Parks in Delaware County.

Creative Writing: Mon., Sept. 30 & Oct. 28, 2 p.m.

Tai Chi – Introduction: Mon., 5-6 p.m.

Guitar Lessons: Mon., 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7-Dec 2.

Zumba Basic: Mon. & Wed., 6:30-7:30 p.m.

CENTER

own) at Tian Fu Buffet on U.S. 36/Ohio 37 in Delaware. Red ball caps are a must!

We Be Jammin’: Tues., Sept. 10, & Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m. Lunch can be purchased in Studio 60 or bring a brown bag lunch and join us for this funtastical day! Sponsored by Kingston Residence of Marion, and Arbors at Delaware Subacute & Rehabilitation Center.

Scrappy Crafters: Tues., Sept. 10, 17 and 24, and Oct. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 11:302 p.m.

Duplicate Bridge: Tues., 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Dominoes: Tues., 1 p.m.

Darts: Tues. & Thurs. 1 p.m.

Open Line Dance: 4th Tues., 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Water Volley Ball: Tues. & Thurs., 22:45 p.m.

Chime Choir “Del Chimers”: Tues., 2-3 p.m.

Quilters Rule: Tues., 3-5 p.m.

Pool Walking: Tues. & Thurs., 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.

Aquatic Low Impact Aerobics Class: Tues. & Thurs., 5:30 p.m.

Experience Yoga Class: Tues., 6-7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY pROGRAMS Foot Care: 2nd Wed., 8:30 a.m., & 4th Thurs., 8:30 a.m. Please call to make reservations on the first working day of TUESDAY pROGRAMS month. *NOTE in Nov. and Dec. it will be Wood Carving: Tues., 9-11 a.m. the 2nd Wed. & 3rd Thurs.

MONDAY pROGRAMS Zumba Basic: Tues. & Thurs. 9-10 a.m. Coffee and Conversation: Wed., 9 Full-Body Workout: Mon. & Wed., 8-9 PACE: Tues. & Fri., 10-11 a.m. a.m. Nice time to meet new friends and a.m.

Line Dancing (Beginners +): Tues., 11 see those you have not seen for a while.

Do For Others: (Park Avenue) Mon., 9- a.m.-noon Do For Others II: (800 Cheshire, Suite 11 a.m. Make quilts for Grady Hospital B) Wed., 9-10:30 a.m. This group will be Romeo Club: (Retired Old Men Eating and do some sewing and needlework for Out) Tues., Sept. 3, 11:30 a.m., lunch (on working on several different projects.

“Project Linus.” own) at Brooklyn Heights, 13 W. William Massage Therapy: Wed., 9:15 a.m.-1 OSU Extension Office – Good Food Street, Delaware. Red ball caps are a p.m. Call to make appointment. for Dummies: 2nd Mon. and 4th Fri., 9 must!

Delaware General Health District a.m.

Romeo Club: (Retired Old Men Eating Clinic: 4th Wed., 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Table Tennis: Mon. 9 a.m.-noon starting Out) Tues., Oct. 1, 11:30 a.m., lunch (on MediGold: Wed. 9:30-11 a.m., 1st in

Sept. and 1st & 3rd in Oct. How Does Your Garden Grow: Wed., 10 a.m. Back Sept. 11.

Stock Market Discussion Group: Wed., 10 a.m. Back in Oct. New Member Orientation Party: Last Wed. of each month, 10 a.m.

The Music Gathering: Wed., 10 a.m.

Bookmobile: Wed., Sept. 11 & Oct. 2 & 23, 11 a.m.-noon Health & Wellness Seminars – Wexner Heritage Village: Wed., Sept.

11 & Oct. 9, 10-11 a.m. with a Q & A session to follow Creative Expressions – Open Studio: Wed., Sept. 4, 18 and 25 & Oct. 9, 13:30 p.m.

Liquid Stained Glass: Wed., Oct. 16, 23 & 30, 1-3:30 p.m.

Table Tennis: Wed., 1 p.m.

Parkinson’s Support Group – Speech Therapy: 2nd & 4th Wed., 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Mah Jongg: Wed., 1-3:30 p.m. Please sign up at Center if you want to attend these classes. We play the National League Rules.

Bingo: Wed., 1-3 p.m.

Evening Euchre Club: Wed. 5-7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY pROGRAMS Pinochle: Thurs., 10 a.m.

Line Dancing (High Beginners): Thurs., 11 a.m.

Life’s A Stitch: Thurs., 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Red Hat Society “Delaware Dollies”: Thurs., Sept. 12 – CANCELLED – Volunteer Party.

Red Hat Society “Delaware Dollies”: Thurs., Oct. 10, “Red Hatters Afternoon,” 1-2:30 p.m. at Center. Wear your red hat and purple outfit!

ACBL Sanctioned Bridge Play: 1st & 3rd Thurs., 12:30-4 p.m.

Computer Classes: Thurs., 1 p.m.

Please call the Center regarding the classes that will be taught and to sign up.

HAPPENINGS continues on page 29

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

CROSSWORD pUzzlE A FORD IN YOUR FUTURE By eD CaNTy

By GFR Associates Visit our Web site at www.gfrpuzzles.com aNSWeRS ON Page 23

Are you puzzled about your medical bills?

Our Insurance and Medical Bill Specialist can help.

This free service, offered to older adults, can identify and correct billing errors.

Call (740) 363-6677 or 1-(800) 994-2255

9

10 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

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September is All About Safety, prevention, and preparedness Awareness During the month of September, the Delaware General Health District acknowledges several awareness themes including National Preparedness Month, National Food Safety Month, and National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. The Health District staff recognizes all three in an effort to educate the public and highlight our commitment to the health and safety of the Delaware County community.

Preparedness Month, Food Safety Month, and Falls Prevention Awareness Week, although different, actually go hand-in-hand with each other when an emergency strikes.

In preparation for an emergency, the Health District recommends each household construct an emergency supply kit that contains safe, nonperishable food items along with medications and other basic household supplies. For older adults, it is important to assemble your kit with food items that meet your special dietary needs, such as salt or sugarfree items. During an emergency, there may be power outages that could last for several days. It is important to stock canned and dry foods and other items that do not require

FROM THE DElAWARE

GENERAl HEAlTH DISTRICT TRACI WHITTAkER

Public Information Officer

DeLaWaRe geNeRaL HeaLTH DISTRICT

refrigeration, water, cooking or other special preparation. In addition, it’s important to include: • A three-day supply of nonperishable food for each household member • Food you will actually eat • Food items that do not make you thirsty • Canned foods with high liquid content • Food and supplies for the family pet(s) And don’t forget to pack a manual can opener — an easily forgotten item that is essential for some canned food items.

During an emergency, it is equally as important to stay safe in the home. About one-third of older adults over the age of 65 fall each year. The week of Sept. 21 – 28 is recognized as National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. DGHD’s Adult Injury Prevention program offers instruction and information on reducing your chance of falling in the home through a free home assessment for Delaware County residents over the age of 60. During this home safety check, a health educator and a nurse will walk through your home and make recommendations. Some of these recommendations are highly suggested in the event of an emergency:

• Place a flashlight in every room • Make sure there are working smoke detectors throughout the home • Make sure a phone is by the bed • Place a list of emergency contacts on the refrigerator A home assessment is a beneficial way to not only prepare for emergencies, but also for your own general safety. And as a bonus, all participants receive a $20 grocery card and a home safety took kit.

For more information on emergency preparedness, food safety, or falls prevention, visit us at delawarehealth.org or call (740) 368-1700.

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Ender’s Game latest Entry in DelawaREADS program To Kill a Mockingbird. Fahrenheit 451. Rocket Boys. The Great Gatsby.

What do these great books have in common? They have all been chosen for Delaware County District Library’s “DelawaREADS,” a community-wide reading program.

And we’re doing it again. This year’s DelawaREADS book is Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, a brilliantly written story about an expert at simulated war games, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, who believes that he is engaged in one more computer war game when, in truth, he is commanding the last Earth fleet against an alien race seeking Earth's complete destruction. Even though I am not a science fiction reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this

SENIOR

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MARY JANE SANTOS Director

DeLaWaRe COUNTy DISTRICT LIBRaRy

book, with its underlying themes of good vs. evil and well-developed characters. It was written in 1985, but its message is still relevant and its truths still universal. There are dozens of copies of the book available at the

Library for you to check out and read, then join in the conversations.

An exciting twist to this year’s DelawaREADS program is that the Library is partnering with the Delaware City Schools. Representatives from both organizations have been busy developing engaging and entertaining programs for readers of all ages.

DelawaREADS launched at the schools in late August, followed by the launch at the Library, but there are still many programs scheduled to enhance your experience in reading Ender’s Game.

Unless otherwise noted, programs will be offered at the Delaware County District Library’s Main Branch, 84 E. Winter St. Sept. 11 at 3 p.m.: Teen/Adult Book Discussion Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m.: Adult Book Discussion Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.: Nerd Night at Brooklyn Heights Restaurant, 13 W. William St. It’s trivia galore, in a relaxed atmosphere. Dinner and drinks are on your own and we’ll supply the fun.

Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.: Teen Game Night Oct. 31 at 11:30 p.m.: Midnight Movie Premiere of “Ender’s Game” at the Strand Theater, 28 E. Winter St. Fun pre-movie activities.

Nov. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.: First Friday DelawaREADS and GIVES. Details to follow.

There are other events that will take place at the schools, Library and throughout the community. Be sure to check the Library’s website at www.delawarelibrary.org for complete information about each of these programs, as well as others. All of the DelawaREADS events will also be listed

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in the Library’s quarterly newsletter, “Check It Out!,” available at all Library locations, as well as on the website under “Events.”

The Library’s DelawaREADS program is an ideal opportunity for you and your teenage grandchildren to read and discuss Ender’s Game.

Studies on intergenerational reading have shown health benefits for children and older people. Children involved in intergenerational relationships realize enhanced social skills, better academic performance, less risk of using drugs and an increased sense of stability. For the average grandparent, the closer the grandchild is, the healthier, less lonely and more social the grandparent will be. Involved grandparents learn a great deal from the younger generation and have the fantastic opportunity for unconditional love, while leaving discipline and tough decisions to the parents. As a grandparent myself, I can certainly attest to that!

Scottish-American writer, critic, and literary historian Gilbert Arthur Highet noted, “Wherever there are beginners and experts, old and young, there is some kind of learning going on, some kind of teaching. We are all pupils and we are all teachers.” I wholeheartedly agree, and I hope you and your grandchildren join us in this year’s DelawaREADS program.

answers: a ford in your future

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Enjoy the “perfect Season” in preservation parks I love fall. Spring should be my FUN OUTDOORS favorite season, I suppose. After all, it ushers out the cold dampness of late Sue Hagan winter and ushers in the fun of sumMarketing & Communications Manager mer. But the weather is so undependPReSeRVaTION PaRKS Of DeLaWaRe COUNTy able in spring, as we have seen. Last year, it was blazing hot in March, and this year it seemed the cool, rainy weather would never quit.

But autumn… that’s another story.

Cool mornings, bright blue skies and a hint of frost that melts quickly away — those are the hallmarks of autumn been busy creating wetland and prairie days. What a perfect time to visit the habitat at Gallant Woods Preserve, and Preservation Parks preserves and soak a brand new display will be installed in all the beautiful weather, not to this fall telling you all about the transimention the glorious colors. tion of the preserve from farm land to To entice you outdoors, here is a partial list of what we have coming up park land.

• Have you been out to visit this fall.

• Ta dah! Our newest park, Shale Gallant Farm Preserve, our 1930s – 1940s living history farm? The farm Hollow Preserve, will open sometime this fall. Watch the newspapers, TV, our buildings are open from noon to 5 website and our Facebook page for an p.m., Thursday – Sunday, so you can announcement of the date. You’ll love come out anytime. In addition, we have free programs about honey bees this park, which is located near Hyatts (Sept. 7, 2 p.m.), canning (Sept. 28, 10 Road and U.S. 23 in Lewis Center. It a.m.), making soup (Oct. 5, 11 a.m.), has beautiful shale cliffs and a stream apples (Oct. 19, noon – 5 p.m.), quilts winding through ravines, and the col(Nov. 9 & 10, noon – 4 p.m.), and ors are sure to be pretty this fall. sausage making (Nov. 16, 10 a.m.) — • Speaking of new, our staff has

all at the farm. You also can come out to the farm to help put corn in shocks, the old-fashioned way.

• We know you are always looking for things to do with your grandchildren, so here is a sampling: Fishing Fun events will take place at Hogback Ridge Preserve (Sept. 13, 6 p.m.), and Blues Creek Preserve (Sept. 21, 9 a.m.); you can build an insect hotel at Deer Haven Preserve (Sept. 15, 2 p.m.); a fun evening at Deer Haven Preserve will give you and kids a chance to watch a nature movie in a natural setting (popcorn included) (Oct. 11, 7 p.m.); and you can join us in a Thanksgiving feast — Pilgrim and Indian-style (Nov. 17, 4 p.m.).

• And don’t forget our ongoing Golden Marathon, which is a partnership with the Senior Citizens Inc.. You can pick up hike locations and all the information there at the center, or here at Preservation Parks. Call (740) 5248600, ext. 6, for details.

This is just a sampling of all we have going on in your Preservation Parks. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Programs & Events Calendar for September through November. You can find it at the Center for Older Adults, Delaware County libraries and other county locations, in our parks and online at www.preservationparks.com. The website also includes information on all the parks, including addresses and driving directions.

I’m telling you, fall is the perfect season! Take advantage of it in Preservation Parks.

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SUppORT GROUpS AlzHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION DElAWARE COUNTY SUppORT GROUp Contact: Bernie Sanders, (740) 363-1365, bsanders@alz.org Meetings: Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Support Group meets at Willow Brook Delaware Run, 100 Delaware Crossing, on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and at Asbury UM Church, 55 W. Lincoln Ave., Delaware, on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Please call with any questions. “Reflections: A Forum for Individuals with Early Stage Memory Loss and their Care Partners” is a seven-week educational and supportive series to explain the what’s, why’s and hopes to individuals with Early State Memory Loss and their care partners.

Sessions will be held from 10 to 11:30

a.m. on Fridays from Oct. 11 through Nov. 22. For more information or to be added to the interest list, contact Bernie Sanders at (740) 363-1365 or 1800-272-3900. Reflections is funded by The Healthcare Foundation of Delaware County.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION, CENTRAl OHIO OFFICE Contact: Morgan Patten, mpatten@arthritis.org Ongoing Activities: Warm-water exercise classes are offered at the Comfort Inn, the Center for Older Adults, the Powell/Liberty Township YMCA, and the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Tai Chi is hosted at Willow Brook Communities. Schedules and class fees vary; please contact the facility or the Arthritis Foundation for more information.

CANDID CAREGIVER WORkSHOpS Council for Older Adults Contact: Jen Spicer, (740) 203-2377 The Council for Older adults provides monthly opportunities for caregivers to learn, grow and gather support.

Presentations are provided by various members of our caregiving community and focus on a host of topics, ranging from self-care/recreational activities to informative discussions on various services available within our local community. Please feel free to bring a friend.

To register, please RSVP to Intake & Referral Specialist Jen Spicer at (740) 203-2377. Workshops are held at the Center for Older adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Suite a in Delaware.

Future Activities: Sept. 10: “Finding Your Way Through the Medicare/ Medicaid Jungle,” presented by Paula Dean of the Council for Older Adults; Oct. 8: “Making Decisions About End of Life Care,” presented by Doug Cluxton, MA, LPC of HomeReach Hospice.

DElAWARE AREA pARkINSON’S SUppORT GROUp Contact: Ed Robinson, (740) 3690290, erobin4@columbus.rr.com We meet at 1:30 p.m. on the 3rd

Wednesday of each month at the Delaware Township Hall, 2590 Liberty Road, Delaware. Parkinson’s disease affects about one in every 1,000 persons. Medication helps, but there is no cure for this brain disease. Symptoms include tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, a forward lean, absence of arm swing, low voice volume, and drooling, to name a few. Daily exercise does help.

Ongoing Activities: In addition to our regular meeting, we offer speech classes on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 2:30 at the Center for Older adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware; and an exercise class on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at Willow Brook Christian Communities, on U.S. 23 across from Bob evans.

THURSDAY NIGHT TOpS Take Off Pounds Sensibly, #OH 2079, Delaware Contact: Georgeanna Mills, (740) 881-4497, Gam740@aol.com Take off Pounds Sensibly is a weightloss support club. We meet on Thursday evenings at William Street United Methodist Church, 28 W. William St., Delaware, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with weigh-in from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.

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Make Time to Make A Difference Older adults made a big turnout for the 2013 Senior SHINE Day on July 23 at Andrews House in Delaware.

Twenty-seven older adults gathered to work on two projects geared toward serving the growing homeless population in our county. Some in attendance made “plarn,” which is plastic yarn made from recycled plastic store shopping bags. This plarn is later crocheted into 3 x 6-foot waterproof mats and given to the homeless. Other older adults made sleeping bags from scrap and recycled fabric and blankets.

Three sleeping bags were completed and ready to be given away at the end of the work day.

The project, like all SHINE projects (SHINE stands for Seniors Helping Impact Neighbors Everywhere), was intended for seniors of all ability levels; standing and bending were not necessary for all projects. Active seniors were able to gather with those who struggled with mobility to work on the same projects. Smiles, laughter and goodwill filled the room for three hours as seniors fell into rhythm working on the part of

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CONNECTIONS Sherri Fitzpatrick

CONNeCTIONS VOLUNTeeR CeNTeR

the project with which they felt most comfortable.

Senior SHINE projects are organized by the Connections Volunteer center and are seniorspecific volunteer opportunities throughout Delaware County.

SHINE projects have been held at a local food pantry, the Common Ground Free Store, Andrews House and at Camp Lazarus for Make a Difference Day. The next SHINE event will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, where older adults and local youths will gather for a 9/11 Day of Service.

The year’s final SHINE opportunity will be Make a Difference Day 2013, which is Oct. 26. This annual event will kick off at Camp Lazarus at 8 a.m. with a free breakfast and

A C C E P T I N G

Applications for our HUD Section 8 Senior Program for 62 and older 1 & 2 Bedrooms • Includes: Appliances & Utilities Ceramic Tile • Carpet • Central Air 300 Chelsea Street Delaware, Ohio Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – Noon & 1 – 4 p.m.

Call 363-1235 TTY 800-750-0750

registration. Groups and individuals will leave to go to their various assignments and reconvene at Camp Lazarus before noon.

SHINE volunteers will have at least one special project on site at Camp Lazarus just for them, the sleeping bag project, brought to us by Share.

Volunteers of all ages are needed to help with Make a Difference Day. This is a perfect opportunity for families to serve together. Projects going on that day will include outdoor projects such as leaf raking and window washing at the homes of more than 60 older adults. Indoor and outdoor projects also will be completed at local nonprofit organ-

izations. Generally, at least 500 people volunteer for every Make a Difference Day. If you are interested in helping on Make a Difference Day this year, contact Sherri Fitzpatrick at (740) 3635000 or sfitzpatrick@helplinedelmor.org.

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You can find Chun in Studio 60 on Thursdays, assisting our diners with their lunch trays, tidying up the tables, and helping in any way she is needed.

If you would like to volunteer, don’t let challenges keep you away.

Chun said she couldn’t even complete a whole sentence in English when she first started. Now, four years later, she has made friendships, joined crochet and craft groups at the Senior Center, and developed the courage and confidence to find a job at Walmart. And it all started with volunteering.

Want to volunteer? Take that first step by contacting Sharon Fryer, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs at the Council for Older Adults, at (740) 203-2368 or fryer@growingolder.org.

We would love to have you as one of our volunteers.

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Special Help for Those with Special Needs The office of the Delaware County Special Needs Emergency Preparedness Program has developed a Special Needs Registry for all county residents with special functional needs, disabilities, chronic conditions, and other healthcare needs who may require assistance before, during, or after an emergency. This registration allows residents with special needs, including frail older adults, an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies so those agencies can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency.

This database will benefit citi-

zens during medical emergencies or fires, as well as in the case of a large-scale disaster such as a flood or widespread power outage. Dispatchers will give the information to first responders whenever an emergency is reported at the address of a special-needs registrant.

“In an emergency, every second counts. It is the goal of the program to identify and register special needs individuals before an emergency and ultimately increase everyone’s level of preparedness," said Sharon Creamer, special needs coordina-

tor. “This will give first responders advance knowledge of any special protocol that should be followed.”

The DCSNR is a voluntary registry and the information collected is protected by HIPAA privacy rules and will not be available to the public. It will be shared only with emergency response agencies to improve their ability to serve.

All Delaware County residents with special needs are urged to register at www.delcospecialneeds.com (or have a family member register for them) and make this website a part of their personal preparedness plan.

This registry is a service of Delaware County EMA, EMS, Information Technology, 911dispatchers, fire departments, law enforcement agencies and the Board of Developmental Disabilities. For more information, call Delaware County EMA at (740) 833-2180.

Monthly Dinners Return in October The dinners hosted by COA Events are on the calendar again!

Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Radebaugh Room at the Center for Older Adults, the dinners generate proceeds that benefit Meals On Wheels and other senior services in Delaware County. Reservations are required; call (740) 203-2362 for price information or to make reservations.

Join us on Thursday, Oct. 24, for our Octoberfest Dinner. The menu features mixed green salad with cranberries and walnuts; hunter’s chicken over egg noodles; roast pork loin with apple cider au jus; mashed sweet potatoes; rice pilaf; sautéed zucchini and yellow squash; and oven-roasted Brussels sprouts. Top it off with caramel apple pie and peach cobbler. Iced tea and coffee are included.

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VOlUNTEER VISIONS Did You Know?

Workman. showed up at the We would also like Council for Older The Council for Older Adults and to thank COA volunteer Adults for a light Senior Citizens Inc. offer a number of Jacqueline Martinez of breakfast, then left to service learning, community service, Jacqueline’s Cupcakes for donating rake leaves for our homebound work-study and internship opportunitwo cakes for the cake walks for the older clients. Some of those clients ties for high school and college stualready are calling us to request volun- day. dents. teers again this year.

Columbus State Community Welcome New Volunteers It’s easy to sign up — just mark College and The Ohio State University Ron Boggs (both Marion and Columbus campuses) your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 16 Raena Chao have approved work-study opportuni- from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., then Connor Kruse contact Sharon Fryer, Coordinator of ties if a student qualifies for financial Lauren Feyh Volunteer Programs at the Council for aid. Students are paid hourly and the Kristina James Older Adults, to sign up. Closer to the positions are arranged through comMeredith Klug munity organizations. If you know of a date, she will contact you to confirm Marie Pendley your participation and give you more student who would be interested in Tiffany Psyhogios working with our nutrition or volunteer information. We do ask that if you Barbara Starker office, have them contact us, or check have rakes and/or leaf bags to bring Mike Wachsman the websites at their respective college them with you — and a good pair of gloves will certainly help. for the job descriptions with the If you are interested in helping, Council for Older Adults.

Many colleges offer the opportuni- contact Sharon Fryer at (740) 203-2368 or fryer@growingolder.org. ty to do an internship for credit. We can design volunteer positions and Grandparents’ Day was held work with the academic advisor and at the Center for Older Adults the student to meet criteria. on Aug. 1.

Service learning is popular these Special thanks go out to our volundays, and many college and high school courses require community serv- teers that helped with Grandparents ice to be completed for many courses Day. Volunteers that helped with registration are Christy Jones, Carol Rohde, and programs. Check our website at www.growingolder.org for information Janet VanAntwerp and Bernice on the many volunteer opportunities Volunteer Spotlight: Chun Qin that are available.

Allow us to introduce you to an If you are a student, or know of a amazing woman. Chun Qin moved to student who is interested in any of Delaware from China seven years ago, the above opportunities, please have and since then she has been on a perthem contact Amy Brown at sonal quest to learn our culture, history, amyb@growing older.org or (740) 203and language, and to make a differ2355. ence in her community.

As part of that quest, Chun came Leaf Raking Day to the Council for Older Adults to It’s that time of year again — our begin volunteering as a dining room older clients living in Delaware County assistant in Studio 60, our on-site need volunteers to come to their restaurant that serves lunch. Her homes to rake leaves this fall. You can English skills didn’t matter here — her really make a difference by joining us supervisor, Ellie Milligan, took the time for our annual leaf raking event.

Grandparents’ Day photos are courtesy teaching her basic pronunciation and Last year more than 200 volunteers of volunteer Ralph Bach. how to write letters in English. Other

Council staff members and volunteers took time to help her understand our language and explain our culture. One of the Council staff members told her about the Delaware Area Career Center’s English as a Second Language course, and Chun has been taking ESL classes for several years.

Chun is married to Jerry and has a daughter named Sara. All of them volunteer at the Council for Older Adults.

Chun has put in more than 600 volunteer hours since March 2009 and has earned a Star Award for her outstanding service as a volunteer.

Her hobbies include bird watching, crocheting, hiking, writing, and photography. One of her goals is to author a children’s book about warbler birds and have it published in the United States. Chun is an avid writer and published a book in China entitled Where to Find the Animal That Can Fly. Her book explains how to protect birds, animals, and the environment. She also won a regional writing competition and had her article published in Beginnings XVI. Her articles were selected twice by the Ohio Adult Literacy Council for publication.

In addition, Chun donates her time and talent making crocheted doll clothing for Senior Citizens, Inc., which in turn sells them at its craft display. The dressed dolls sell out fast and one was donated to Haiti by a customer. Chun said she loves to design different dresses for the dolls and this is a chance to show her dreams of design while also showing her loving heart to people.

Her favorite vacation spot is the Florida Everglades where Chun and Jerry enjoy bird watching together. She loves living in the United States and appreciates the freedom we all enjoy here. She said she feels valued for her volunteer service and that makes her feel special.

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GOlDEN REFlECTIONS An Unwanted Guest

By Hope Perry, Creative Writing Student, Senior Citizens Inc. Some people might think my house is haunted, but I don’t believe it.

If you believe that, then you’d have to believe that all my houses were haunted. Others might think I am haunted by an entity that follows me around and causes consternation and havoc. But if you believe that, then others wouldn’t be having similar problems. No, somewhere out there in the great beyond, when frustrations abound, everyone has the same problem – Murphy has arrived!

You don’t want to get to know him, but we all have. He’s a nuisance, a pain in the backside, not your best friend and someone who always makes a mess or messes up whatever project you attempt. He loves to cause frustration, cussing and small injuries, but tears are the epitome!

I have been personally acquainted with Murphy for most of my life. I know when to expect small problems, and when to expect full-blown explosive frustrations. Murphy has visited my house for an afternoon, and other times he has moved in for days or weeks. One thing I can say for him, he is not a quitter; he stays until the project is completed. These projects with which he’s involved usually take far too long and cost far too much.

You never see him, but you know he’s there. He’s always thought about whenever you start any project, large or small. It’s always such a pleasant surprise when you do a project and Murphy is busy messing with someone else’s life.

Join us for Creative Writing on the last Monday of the month, from 2-3:30 p.m.

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Hunger in Delaware County As one of the healthiest and most prosperous communities in Ohio, Delaware County is fortunate in many ways. However, there are those among us, often hidden, who go hungry each day.

There are many families in the county that are above the federal definition of poverty, but they struggle with underemployment, low-paying jobs, or not enough paying hours.

They are families that live paycheck to paycheck because of housing, heating, and health-care costs.

Feeding America estimates that more than 17,000 people in Delaware County struggle with finding enough food for themselves and their families.

The Delaware County Hunger Alliance is a local group of organizations that came together in the summer of 2012 to identify the needs in our county and coordinate efforts already in place that address hunger issues. Participants represent community leaders, concerned citizens, food pantry providers from throughout the county and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

The Hunger Alliance’s vision is for the community to have a system for people who are food insecure that provides the right access to the right foods at the right time, meeting each person’s individual needs.

The group identified programs already in place by location and when the services are available. These include the Council for Older Adults program on the fourth Tuesday of each month as well as People In Need and Big Walnut Friends Who Share, among others.

The group also identified the important need for fresh fruits and vegetables and investigated ways to provide them. As a result, a new Mobile Food Market is held on the first and third Monday each month at the Eagles Lodge on William Street in Delaware. In June, more than 250

DElAWARE COUNTY

FOUNDATION

donated locally can be used to purchase $7 worth of food, which goes further than individual cans or boxes

of food.

To keep up with the continuing work, and receive updates on activity and the need in our communities, follow the Delaware County Hunger Alliance on Facebook.

Marlene a. Casini President

DELAWARE COUNTY FOUNDATION

households were provided fresh carrots, potatoes, nectarines, kale and more. Additional mobile markets are being planned for outlying and more rural areas of the county.

Free and reduced community meals are also identified in the brochure available on the Hunger Alliance website at www.DelawareCountyHunger.org.

United Way of Delaware County is leading these efforts in partnership with the Delaware County General Health District. Other organizations involved in the efforts include Andrews House, Common Ground Free Store, the Council for Older Adults, Delaware City Vineyard Church, Delaware County Foundation, HelpLine, Highpoint Community Outreach, Lutheran Social Services, The Open Table, People In Need, The Salvation Army, William Street Methodist Church, and Woodward Family Resource Center.

If you would like to help the Hunger Alliance, you can donate nutritious items such as canned fruits or vegetables to local food pantries.

Monetary donations go even further.

Money donated to individual pantries can be used to purchase food that is most in need. For those Delaware County food pantries that partner with the Mid Ohio Foodbank, each $1

See You at the Fair — September 14 – 21!

It’s another sign that summer is fading fast — the Delaware County Fair is right around the corner. Cotton candy, the Ferris wheel and 4-H clubs aren’t the only regulars at the fair. We’ll be in our usual spot in the Merchants Building. Stop by for a visit and learn about our services and volunteer opportunities, and meet our staff and board members as well as the many volunteers who take a shift at our booth.

We are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Willow Brook Christian Communities to sponsor Senior Citizens Day at the Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 17. And as always, we will be providing free coffee and donuts at our booth that morning. Admission to the Fair on this special day is only $2 for people age 55 or older. (Note that the admission price does not include rides.) See you at the fair!

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Hearing loss: Why It Matters and What To Do About It DElAWARE

You’ve seen the newspaper ads, received the mailers and heard the commercials. It seems that everyone is out to sell YOU a hearing aid. They advertise smaller sizes, lower prices and “wireless,” yet you do nothing.

Really, what should be advertised is the impact of untreated hearing loss and how much it can cost. Hearing loss matters; it matters because if left untreated, it affects physical health, mental health and overall quality of life.

Hearing loss is part of the natural aging process. As overall health has been improving, we are living longer, more active lives. The longer we live, the more likely we are to experience hearing loss with other chronic conditions. When hearing loss occurs with other medical or chronic conditions, it can impact medical management of those conditions. Research has shown that people with heart disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes are at increased risk for hearing loss. For example, the relationship between cardiovascular disease and increased hearing loss has been well documented. According to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the incidence of hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with dia-

SpEECH & HEARING Joan Hazlett, MA CCC-A

DeLaWaRe SPeeCH & HeaRINg

betes. Adequate hearing and successful communication are essential to allow for clear understanding of instructions, medications and treatment protocols for effective medical management of diabetes and other chronic medical conditions.

Diabetes and hypertension are risk factors for dementia. Recent studies have also found a link between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Among adults with dementia, hearing loss has been linked to a more accelerated cognitive decline.

We know from several studies that untreated hearing loss affects quality of life. According to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), “when left untreated, hearing loss alone can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. Impaired memory and the impaired ability to learn new

tasks, reduced alertness, increased risk to personal safety, irritability, negativism, anger, fatigue, tension, and stress are among its more common side effects. But when untreated hearing loss coexists with a chronic illness, the likelihood is all the greater that the individual will experience exacerbated levels of stress and diminished quality of life.” Depression, loneliness, and isolation are more prevalent among older adults with untreated hearing loss. BHI reports a decrease in social activities, increased difficulty with communication, and greater dissatisfaction with family relationships.

The good news in all of this is that personalized comprehensive audiological management, including properly and professionally fit hearing aids, has

been shown to be the most effective treatment to reduce the effects of sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing aid use among older adults results in improvement in communication, satisfaction with relationships, and quality of life indicators.

So what should you do about it?

Talk with your doctor, and consider calling a hearing health professional to schedule a hearing evaluation.

Personalized comprehensive audiological management, including hearing aids, is so much more than any newspaper ad or postcard can possibly say.

For more information or to make an appointment, call the Delaware Speech and Hearing Center at (740)369-3650.

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Center for Older Adults Features Fitness at Open House An open house was held in recognition of the 5th anniversary of the opening of the warm water exercise pool at the Center for Older Adults.

This event, held on July 26, was open to the public and featured a day of fitness with demonstrations of water classes, as well as water volleyball and fitness classes. Attendees were invited to participate in these activities as well as line dancing, Zumba, Yoga and Tai Chi. The state-of-the-art fitness room featured demonstrations of a variety of exercise programs, and the Center’s personal trainer and massage therapist were on hand to answer questions.

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D and private insurance to employer insurance and Medicaid. That’s why she is more than happy to meet with older adults in Delaware County to review their insurance coverage and advise them on the best plans for them. She gives her clients their options, and they pick what works best for them. Dean isn’t there to sell her clients on any particular plan; she merely advises them. And her clients are happy — and occasionally ecstatic — to get her advice.

“I once had a woman who I helped come back in and say that she could get off of her anxiety medication because her insurance was taken care of,” Dean said. “If I can help someone in that way, that’s great.”

As an insurance specialist with the Council (who also has several years of experience working in the insurance industry), Dean went through 22 hours of training with the Ohio Department of Insurance to get her initial certification. To maintain the certification, Dean counsels clients and attends many of the webinars offered

by ODI. Her work with clients runs the gamut from reviewing options to setting up a completely different plan for someone based on changing needs.

“I help people sign up for Medicare. When you first turn 65, you have a seven-month initial enrollment period, which is the time to sign up or review your plan,” Dean said. “I recommend running Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage comparisons every enrollment period because your health changes. The drugs you're taking help determine the best plan for you, so I encourage people to run those comparisons, and if you’re unsure how to run them yourself, then call me.”

Dean frequently sets appointments for her clients, but said she’ll always take walk-ins without appoint-

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him. Finally on day 97, I called OhioHealth and said ‘Have you guys gotten a payment?’ OhioHealth said they had gotten a payment that day and his balance was zero. I asked them to send a zero balance payment to him so he knew that.”

Thanks to Dean’s efforts, the $44,000 bill had been covered, along with a claim from United HealthCare that had approached $60,000. The client, needless to say, “was ecstatic,” Dean said.

Clients typically are just as ecstatic to hear what Dean charges for her services — absolutely nothing.

“I have a lot of people say ‘What Council for Older Adults Insurance Specialist Paula Dean, left, helped Rose do I owe you for your time?’ and I say, Seymour save money on her husband’s medical care.

'Nothing,'” Dean said. “My services ments, too. with them,” Dean said. “When I are paid for by the senior services levy.

“When people have made an called the number they were given, it I tell people if they want to make a effort to come here, I drop what I'm wasn’t a valid number.” donation to the Council, they're weldoing and talk to them because On some occasions, Dean will visit come to, but otherwise just vote for they’ve made the trip to be here,” she a client at their home. the senior services levy when it comes said.

“I did a home visit for a woman in on the ballot.”

Delaware who had four stacks of bills Real stories from real clients and explanations of benefits that she Two more cheerleaders Rose Seymour and Sue Snavley Dean is quick to say she loves her never opened. I try to help people get job, and that enjoyment is easily visible started on good medical bill organiza- are two more clients who are happy to sing Dean’s praises. Seymour’s husas she shares stories of the clients with tion,” she said. band, Ralph, had medications that whom she has worked. Many came to While Dean can’t put a total on cost more than $100,000. her stressed and visibly shaken, only to how much she’s saved all of her “Paula noticed that I was visibly end their meeting or phone conversa- clients, one particular case stands out. shaken when I came in to see her,” tion relieved by the outcome.

“I saved one gentleman Seymour said. “I knew about this serv“I had a woman who is 84 come $104,000,” Dean said. “He came to in, and she had a Medicare Advantage me in January; his wife was in and out ice because the Council sends postcards, and I needed help immediately plan but didn’t know what to do. She of the hospital and she passed away with my husband's medical bills. Paula said they were denying all of her last year. He was getting billed and gave me direction on what to do. I claims,” Dean said. “I looked at it and had gotten a bill for more than didn't know she was going to do so we called the insurance company. She $44,000. I said ‘Let's call OhioHealth much for me. There’s no way I could had gotten a new ID card for the new and make sure they billed the plan year, bur her doctor still had her old correctly.’ They said they had, so then have done it by myself. I wouldn't card. We got all of her claims we called Medicare. After speaking to have even known where to start.”

Dean helped get Seymour’s husreprocessed.” a representative, Medicare realized Dean also cited a recent phone there was a system error and his wife’s band on a Part D prescription drug plan that dropped their cost to less call she received from a couple who file was corrupt.” thought they were the target of scamDean helped appeal the billing on than $5,000.

“We signed Rose's husband up mers. her client’s behalf.

“They got a call at home and the “We didn’t hear anything and this for Part D, and due to his health I recommended a Medicare supplement, person on the phone said they were poor guy would call me every week. so they got Plan F,” Dean said. “It’s calling from Humana Insurance and By this time, the account was in colthe Cadillac of plans; it pretty much they wanted to set up a time to meet lections and attorneys were calling

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covers everything. They never got a bill.”

Snavley, owner of Mom Wilson’s Country Sausage Mart just north of Delaware, needed help finding the right insurance plan when she turned 65. As the only insured employee who needed coverage, she wasn’t sure where to turn. Delaware resident and friend Jack Hilborn suggested she call the Council.

“I immediately called, and they said I wanted to talk with Paula,” Snavley said. “The thing I liked when I called Paula was that she was so friendly and so welcoming. She didn’t

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make me feel intimidated.”

Snavley said after paying “probably $15,000 per year to have a $5,000 deductible,” Paula’s advice was like hitting the jackpot.

“She’s like the tour guide through all of these insurance options. I wouldn’t have known these things without Paula’s help,” Sue said.

Paula said the help she provided to Snavley and Seymour is all part of the job.

“People say I make it so easy to understand, and that's really what it’s about. I take something confusing and complex and break it down so

people can understand it, and I preface it by saying there are no stupid questions,” Paula said. “Sue was paying more than $1,000 a month for insurance because it was just her (needing coverage). She didn't get the breaks with the premiums. When we got done, it was less than $300 per month.”

If you think you could benefit from Dean’s insurance counseling, she can be reached at the Council office at (740) 363-6677. The open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and Dean is also in the midst of planning an insurance

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seminar that is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Dean recommends the New to Medicare classes that the Council offers for those who want an overview of Medicare and its plans and supplements, and classes are open to those 60 and older as well as their caregivers, neighbors, friends and family members.

“You can attend a class or call on behalf of a parent or someone you care for,” Dean said. “I have a lot of caregivers that call me, and I’m always happy to help. It’s good to know that the work I do might help someone sleep better at night.”

Want to know More About Insurance?

New to Medicare Classes Reminder The Council for Older Adults offers a free “New to Medicare” class for individuals who will be eligible for Medicare — either due to age or disability — and want to learn about their options. The session will provide an overview of the many components of Medicare: Part A (inpatient hospitalization/skilled nursing), Part B (outpatient hospital/doctors/labs/radiology), Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans), and Part D (Prescription Drugs), as well as how to cover the gaps in Medicare benefits through Medicare Supplement Plans.

These classes are offered on the second Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon and on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road in Delaware. No evening sessions will be offered in November and December due to the holidays.

The classes are taught by the Council’s Insurance Specialist, Paula Dean. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call our registration hotline directly at (740) 2032382, 24 hours a day, seven days a

week. You may also call the Council’s main number during normal business hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at (740) 3636677 or toll free at 1-800-994-2255; ask for the registration hotline.

Insurance Seminar Scheduled

Adults. You will be able to meet with a representative during the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period to compare Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug) and Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans, and even enroll in the 2014 plan that best meets your health insurance needs. These 45minute sessions are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4 and Monday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please bring your list of prescription medications (including the complete drug name, dosage/mg strength and frequency/times per day, which will determine the best plan for you) and your Medicare card with you. An appointment is required; call (740) 363-6677 to make an appointment for the Medicare Check-up Day.

The 14th Annual Insurance Seminar will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Center for Older Adults, 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware. This free seminar will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about Social Security’s role in Medicare, Medicare insurance programs, prescription drug coverage, and state and community resources available to Delaware residents age 60 and older. A complimentary continental breakfast will be served from 8:30 Medicare Open to 9 a.m. Seating is limited and preregistration is required by Sept. 26. If Enrollment you are interested in attending this The time period for Medicare benevent, please call our registration hot- eficiaries to change and compare their line at (740) 203-2382.

Medicare part D plans and Medicare Advantage Plans is during the Annual Medicare Check-up Days Open Enrollment Period, scheduled for This is a free service brought to Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, with the new coveryou by the Ohio Department of age starting Jan. 1, 2014 (please keep Insurance (ODI) and the Ohio Senior this in mind and don’t wait until it’s Health Insurance Information Program too late!).

(OSHIIP), held at the Center for Older

During the Fall Open Enrollment you can change how you receive your health coverage and add, change or drop drug coverage. The last change that is made is the one that will take effect.

What you can do: • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.

• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.

• Add/Change/Drop a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

The Council for Older Adults can help you determine the best plan for you. Our Insurance Specialist, Paula Dean, is available weekdays for a free consultation. For an appointment, please call (740) 363-6677.

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