From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

As we begin a new year and a new chapter in our lives, we here at Lee County Council on Aging wish all our senior friends and supporters of LCCOA, a healthy and safe New Year. This past year was a year like none of us have faced before, and our strength comes from each other. LCCOA is so grateful to all our wonderful seniors that have pulled together and have helped each other. Thank you for keeping us alive, active and continuing servicing our seniors of Lee County. FunSavers

LCCOA had another successful clothing drive. We could not have done it without your support, and the support of Eileen and Larry Piper, Project 311’s President Amy Lawler, Clara Harris, the Leydig center, Aaliyah Baker and James Druien, thank you for stepping up to the plate. The funds from this clothing drive made the final payFrom the WCSC

By Beth Sterk

Happy New Year to you! I know, just like each of you, I am hoping and praying that 2021 looks a lot different than 2020.

I know for myself, there were challenges and even personal loss during the pandemic; we were also graced with a graduation, the union ment on our furnace and the balance of our new Senior Center signs. LCCOA is planning another clothing drive for February 17th. Please start dropping off your gently used clothing , bedding, belts, shoes and purses. Every bag makes a difference!

Back in My Day

Our first Senior Book was published and has been welcomed with open arms. Our seniors had wonderful stories, and we hope to continue to publish our “Back in The Day” editions. Please send in your stories, poems, and quotes. We have extremely talented seniors and they have interesting memories to share with all of us. If you ever wanted to be published; here is your opportunity.

Veterans Afghans

We just love the photos of our veterans holding the afghans (see page 6). We are so proud of these of two marriages and the several new additions to our family! Beautiful moments to treasure!

As I reflect back on 2020, I do have great memories of many fun activities at the center and look forward to the day when we can safely gather again! men that served our country with honor and bravery. We hope they enjoy the warmth of these beautiful afghans, made by the loving hands of the ladies from the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lee Center and by Dorothy Szewczyk. Thank you for all your devotion and dedication Christmas Tree Contest

Please check out our pictures of the Christmas tree contest (page 7). The winner will be announced in next Golden Echo edition. Thank you for your creativity, and being part of the this fun event. Farewell to our Friend

Three years I have known this quite man. I can’t image what our days will be like without him. For 25 years he has dedicated himself to the Seniors of Lee County Council on Aging. Marty Hammonds has repaired vehicles, fixed roofs, put in new plumbing fixtures, clean bathrooms, moved tables, carried chairs, set up rooms for our events, and the list goes on and on. What are we to do without him??

Marty wasn’t just the maintenance engineer, he was a friend to every senior that enter the center. He knew them all by their first name, and would have many conversations with them.

Thanks to our friends at the center who have started to mail in their annual dues for 2021 and your support for the center. Although we do not know exactly what 2021 will look like and when we will be able to safely re-open, we look forward to that day and we appreciate you supporting your senior center!

A huge THANK YOU to our Outreach staff who did a fabulous job with Med D season, all working remotely. Including, our receptionist, who kept our calls organized. We were still able to serve many, many clients through our Outreach Dept. and we are grateful for that

Did you know we had an employee that needed special assistance to get from her car to her office; and every day Marty would bring out the wheelchair, and wheel her from her car to her office and every evening he would take her back to her car. Again, what are we to do without him???

Marty once told me that he could have worked for higher wages, but he knew that the seniors needed him and the money wasn’t important, it was all about lending a hand, doing a kind deed, that brought value to his life. I told him it is rare for someone to work more than 2.5 years at the same place. He was surprised at the number. Society isn’t the same anymore; there are those that stay at a job because it is easy and no pressure; but they are not our Marty, he was here because of the pride, the caring, the dedication and love he had for all our seniors. So as we say farewell to a longtime friend, the words thank you are just not enough. Marty, please know we send our appreciation and gratitude as we bid our goodbyes. God take care of you and allow you to have wonderful retirement. What are we to do without you??????

Until next time: LCCOA a place where you belong, a place to call

Assistant Director

home. Susan opportunity!

A special shout out to our Essential workers- drivers and dispatchers for safely getting people to and from their necessary appointments.

A special thanks to our Bookkeeper for keeping our bills paid on time.

A heartfelt thank you to our janitorial staff for keeping our building and high contact surfaces disinfected during this time.

Together, lets continue to BE WELL and look at the goodness in our daily lives and I look forward to the day when we can safely gather again! Welcome 2021!

Golden Echo published monthly by Sauk Valley Media, 113-115 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, IL 61021, in cooperation with the Lee County Council on Aging and Whiteside County Senior Center.

Golden Echo disclaims any liability for any advertisements published herein and in no way endorses or guarantees these ads.

Press releases of interest to seniors will be accepted at 100 W. Second St., Dixon, IL 61021; or 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, IL 61081. Deadline for submission is the 15th of each month.

Golden Echo does not discriminate in admission to programs or treatment or employment in programs or activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act; the U.S. Civil Rights Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Age Discrimination Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you have a right to file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Aging. For information, call 800-252-8966 (Voice & TDD), or contact the director of Lee County Council on Aging, 100 W. Second St., Dixon, IL 61021 or telephone 815-288-9236; or Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, IL 61081 or 815-622-9230.

The senior centers do not require duration of residency or citizenship as a condition of participation in any services or programs funded by the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Residency or citizenship may be a requirement for other programs that the senior centers may provide assistance with in application or accessing of same. Services are made available, in part, with funds provided under Title III-B of the Older American Act, and the Illinois General Revenue Funds, through the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. We are a United Way-funded agency.