From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

When I was a child, I hated when the Fourth of July would arrive. I knew my summer was over, and school would be starting soon. Even the fireworks didn’t excite me; all I could think of was that summer was almost over, no more trips, no more hanging out at the neighborhood candy store, no more baseball games, and no more carnivals — but here at Lee County Council on Aging we welcome the Fourth of July. We have so much in store for our seniors: Bingo is back, open mic begins, line dancing every Tuesday morning, and three trips in August and September; to top this off, we have Prom right around the corner. The Prom sales are going well, and we just added 25 more tickets. So what are you waiting for? Come on down to LCCOA and buy a table or two.

Food Box

Lifescape and LCCOA partnered up to provide 30 lbs. of food and household supplies to our seniors 60 and over. This event was a great success. Our seniors have been calling, and asking when their will be another distribution. If you missed out on your food box, contact Lee County Council on Aging at 815-288-9236.

Petersen Health Care

A big thank you goes out to Sami Rodriguez, Community Relations Coordinator for Polo Rehabilitation & Health Care, and Rock River Gardens in Sterling, a division of Petersen Health Care, for providing wonderful Bingo prizes. Sami did a fabulous job as our Bingo caller. Thank you, Sami!

Open Mic is Back

On July 30th, Open Mic is back! Warm up those fingers, and vocal cords. We are waiting to hear you play a tune, or sing us a song. LCCOA is thrilled to announce our doors are open to welcome you back. Masks and social distancing will still be maintained, but this will not stop our seniors! They will be stomping their feet to the music, and clapping those hands. First performance is at 7 p.m., arrival at 6:30 to get the best seat in the house.

The Passing of a Friend

Sondra Victum has been riding our Senior Transportation three times a week for years. We here at LCCOA had grown to love this sweet, kind woman. She never complained about all her illnesses. Even to the very end, our drivers would say “we know Sondra isn’t doing well, but to hear Sondra she was just fine.” Her brother, Willie, played a major role in Sondra’s life; she loved him dearly. Our hearts go out to all of Sondra’s family. We will miss you, dear friend; you are heaven’s gain and our loss.

A Long-Time Member

Warren Reuter, 97 years old, was a long-time member and supporter of Lee County Council on Aging. He always had a kind word and a wonderful smile on his face. His family meant the world to him. On one occasion, he told us that his wife and family are the reason he has lived so long; they gave meaning to his life. Warren, thank you for giving meaning to our lives here at LCCOA.

A Gentle Lady

Janet Hassler was a gentle woman loved by her children, and our drivers here at Lee County Council on Aging. Janet rode our Senior Transportation weekly. Our drivers would come back and tell us what a sweet and gentle woman she was, and what a pleasure it was to have her on their buses. Janet had two sons and a daughter who adored her. We will truly miss speaking with her boys. Janet’s legacy is raising such wonderful children; no mother could ask for more. Her goodness is reflected in her children, and her memory will last forever. LCCOA will miss Janet. May God look fondly on you, Janet, you have served him well.

Good-bye to all our old friends. You will remain in our hearts, and in spirit here at Lee County Council on Aging.

Until next time ...

LCCOA a place where you belong a place to call home. Susan

From the WCSC Assistant Director

By Beth Sterk

Happy summer! The season we have all been waiting for! Some exciting news ...The Golden Echo will now be available to you to drive up and pick up in a contactless manner. We have installed an Echo newsstand outside of door No. 3 on the back side of our parking lot. The most recent issue of the Golden Echo will be in that newsstand. So, please feel free to drive up and snag a copy. This is an electronically monitored secure area, so please know that you will be on camera.

When the center officially reopens (not yet — please be patient), we are pleased to announce that we will be offering meals at the center Monday through Friday in the big room upstairs — but again that will be once we officially re-open. Please be patient, as we are happy to announce we will be partnering with Golden Meals Congregate Meal Program, which will offer you a nutritiously balanced meal at a very, very reasonable price! Yes, at a much lower cost to you than what we could offer with the rise of food costs since the pandemic. Many senior centers in the surrounding areas partner with their county congregate meals program and it is highly successful, so we thought we would jump on board that meal train! Things will work a little differently than in the past, and there will be no carry-outs since the focus is for “congregate dining.” However, Golden Meals will be able to provide home-delivered meals, where we were not able to in the past. We will share more details in the upcoming issue of the Echo prior to re-opening. Stay tuned!

I talked in the previous Echo about change, and this is certainly a time for change at the senior center! We are pleased to announce that we will also be offering some additional great social engagement opportunities at the center when we do re-open. My heart is racing from the excitement! Do you remember the song, “The Best Is Yet to Come,” recorded by Tony Bennett in 1958? I truly believe that is what is in store for our senior center!

Please consider your annual membership of $25 per person or $35 for two people residing in the same household. Although we do not know exactly what our travel plans will be for future trips, we hope to be offering day trips again prior to the holidays. I know many of you look forward to those! Membership allows you a discount on travel with WCSC along with access to yoga and pool playing at the senior center. The membership form is on page 5 of this issue. Please consider supporting our center and thank-you to all who have done so already! We appreciate your support!

Again, the senior center remains temporarily closed to the public, but we do serve you remotely, by calling 622-9230, ext. 101 for Reception; ext. 194 for Outreach/Aging & Disabled Resource Center; and myself at ext. 110. These are the main extensions at the center. Please leave your name and phone number; we are happy to assist you! Our messages are checked daily, Monday through Friday. If you have accidentally left a message at an extension other than these listed, we may not have received your message. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please follow us on Facebook for news about the senior center along with Medicare updates! I promise you great things will be happening at the center very soon! There are a lot of moving parts to all the positive changes we have in store for the center! We appreciate your patience and we are looking forward to getting back together soon!

Enjoy the sunshine and the beauty of summer! Stay tuned and Be well!

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.