From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

Spring has Sprung

Hurray! Spring is here! I thought it would never come. I don’t like wishing my life a way; but clearly this was a rough winter. I am truly glad to see it go. Terry Christian has been out taking pictures of our garden. The flowers are popping their heads out of the ground. Every day we have a new batch. Please come and enjoy our garden. Bring your coffee, or a book and watch our butterflies and birds buzz all around our flowers.

LCCOA’s New

Assistant Director

How about that pretty smiling face on the Golden Echo’s front page? Yes you all know her; she is our Samantha Harazin, the Outreach Lady. She has been informing and assisting all our seniors for over 11 years. It is time to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to the Lee County Council on Aging Senior Center. Day in and day out our seniors call or stop to tell me how wonderful this woman is, and how much help she has been in making a difference to their lives. LCCOA’s senior center is very lucky to have this woman; she truly brings a new meaning to dedication. Please call, send cards or shout out on Facebook, and congratulate Samantha for a job well done.

The Post House Ballroom

The Ballroom is back. We are booking weddings every day. We are still at only 100 guests at each event, but this is not stopping our brides and grooms from moving forward with their special day. We are already booking into 2023. We typically do not have many December weddings, but winter is not stopping our modern brides. Please call our Post House Ballroom Team at 815-288-9236; we just might have a date or two left.

Bingo is back at LCCOA, so mark your calendars for May 14. We are still adhering to the Covid rules, mask, temperatures and social distancing; in saying this you will need to reserve a seat. Please call Terry or Aaliyah at 815-288-9236. They will be happy to schedule you for Bingo. We will have prizes and a treat or two.

Clothing Drive

FunSaver’s Clothing Drive is going strong. We need another 50 bags to make our goal. So clean those closets; we need your cloths. May 10th. is the last drop of date; Aaliyah will be glad to get your bags from your cars. Just call ahead and she will come on out and gather up all your donations.

A Friend Has Left Us

As I sit at my desk looking at the pictures of all our seniors who have passed through our doors, and now have enter the gates of heaven, there is a part of me that goes with them. I say this with sincerity; for I have grown to love these wonderful people who have touched and have brought meaning to my life. I miss every single one of them. There are days I speak of them as if they are standing right next to me. They will never leave LCCOA; their laughter can still be heard, and echoes in our walls.

There are nights I walk the corridors and I can see their faces smiling up at me. I am so very grateful that they shared their lives with all of us here at LCCOA. They will be in our hearts forever.

This past week we lost another one of our friends, Joe Patterson, also known as the “man of many books.” Joe was a hard-working, kind man that served our country well. Lee County Council on Aging’s Senior Transportation provided rides several days a week for Joe to receive treatments at the Cancer Center. We all here spoke to Joe almost every other day. He never complained about his treatments, or how he felt. To hear Joe, he was beating cancer. Joe gave it a good fight, right up to the end; but this was Joe. He did everything in his life to the best of his ability. Nothing was half done, he gave it his all. We here at LCCOA will miss our conversations with Joe. This sweet and sincere man will be missed by the drivers, staff and myself here at LCCOA. There is a library in heaven waiting for Joe to organize. God speed – good reading Joe, until we meet again.

Until next time, Lee County Council on Aging: a place where you belong, a place to call home.

– Susan

From the WCSC Assistant Director

By Beth Sterk

As I write this, the days are windy and the sun is shining! The beauty of spring is around us and the daffodils and tulips are showing their beautiful colors. Soon, the lilacs will bloom, then I know the morel mushroom hunts are just around the corner! One of my favorite things to do! We picked our first few asparagus this week, so we know that the ground temperatures are much warmer.

Vaccination opportunities are increasing within our county and together, with the green grass and fresh air, we are seeing hope and light at the end of the tunnel! Our Outreach Department can assist you with a vaccination appointment here in Whiteside County if you are over the age of 18 and you live or work here in the county. We continue to work remotely, however, please call in at 622-9230 and leave your name and number, and that you would like a vaccination appointment. We check our messages regularly and will return your call promptly, Monday through Friday.

I have included this month a list of frequently requested phone numbers.

I am hoping you will join the Alzheimer’s Association and local vendors for the Virtual Health Fair on May 1. Please register at nwilvirtualhealthfair.com to participate.

In this edition I wanted to be sure to share with you the photos of our ADRC staff and those who are returning your calls and assisting you. I think it is always helpful to put a face with that voice. I want to give a shout out to our remote staff for continuing to help a high volume of people during this unprecedented time! Thank you! A special shout out to our janitorial staff for keeping our building disinfected during this time, to provide a safe environment for Whiteside County Public Transportation staff.

I would like to flood our next edition of the ECHO with pictures you have sent in that show your flowers/ gardens in bloom and the beauty that surround us! Will you help me? If you would like to send me those, you can email them to me at bsterk@wc-seniorcenter.org or mail them to me at WCSC, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, IL 61081 by May 10. Let’s flood the ECHO with beautiful flowers!

Last, but not least, I want to wish all those Moms out there a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! The pandemic may have given some Moms the opportunity to slow down and be home with their little ones all day; for adult children, it may have been difficult not seeing your Mom during Covid, in order to keep them safe. Wherever you are in your stage of life, cherish the time with your Mom or the sweet memory of your Mom a little extra this year! One of our grown children had not ridden in my car in several years, and recently I had given them a ride, and when they got in, they commented “It smells good in here – it smells like home!” That made my heart full! Take time and cherish those little moments and enjoy a “safe” long awaited hug and Be Well!

Happy Mothers Day!

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.