From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

Happy New Year to all our Senior Friends!

Can it really be 2022?! So much has happened in the last 100 years! When I listen to the stories of our wonderful seniors who are over 100 years old, it blows my mind away. They have lived through all the wars, the depression, electricity, telephone, modern-day inventions, trains, planes and automobiles. Oh my God! To hear these stories firsthand — it is such a honor to know these seniors. I could listen to them for hours — which brings me to our senior book, “Back in My Day.” Our third edition has been published, and we are in the process of converting our 3 editions into a hardback book. We are hoping by the end of January we will have a hardback book for all of our supporters to read. We are so very excited. We have had the privilege to be the first to read these amazing stories, poems, and articles. The talent in our community of seniors is breathtaking. When I read books that are published by large publishing companies and realize that in our hometown we have more interesting, and worthwhile, stories than all these publishing companies put together — in fact ”Back in My Day” should be on the best sellers list — all I can say is “ Yes, really.” So please keep those stories coming, and we’ll keep publishing them.

Good News!

The First Presbyterian Church of Franklin Grove sent us a donation, and with their donation our air conditioner, and two of our furnaces, are paid in full. Our thank you goes out to all their parishioners for their support.

Each month in the Golden Echo we have published the names of all who have supported Lee County Council on Aging during this difficult time. We still have one more furnace to pay for, but we are thrilled to have such wonderful and generous supporters who care about the well-being of our seniors. I applaud all of you for your generosity and kindness.

FunSavers

Keep those bags coming! We have a goal of 500 bags, and we are halfway there. Please help us reach our goal. The holidays are a great time to clean out your closets, basements and garages, and give those unwanted clothing, purses, belts, boots, shoes, bedding, and towels to LCCOA, where we will put them to good use. The items first go to help support LCCOA, secondly they are sold to those who cannot afford new items, and finally, what does not get sold is sent to third world countries. Just think: Your items are a three-fold gift.

Trips, Trips and More Trips

LCCOA is determine to keep our seniors active. We want to be sure our seniors are not lonely, or Isolated from the world. We have wonderful and exciting trips coming up in the next few months. There is a trip for everyone, so check out Washington D.C., Mackinac Island, Nashville, and finally, Ireland. You have to admit these are great places to see! Not only will you enrich your mind, they will enrich your heart; because you will make long-lasting friendships and wonderful memories. So come travel with us and see the world!!

A Farewell to a Dear Friend

The best part of my position here at LCCOA is meeting amazing seniors, and the hardest part is when they pass from this world into our heavenly kingdom. On December 9, 2021, Linda Reynolds departed from this earth to join all her friends and loves ones in the hereafter. Linda has a special place in our hearts. I met Linda the first week I started my position here at LCCOA. Linda was a cheery, pleasant and very kind woman. She had so many medical issues, and yet she continued to push through each day, and spent at least 3 days a week with us here at LCCOA. In many conversations with Linda, I learned that her vision was fading, and her hearing was diminishing. In my tour of LCCOA I came across an enlarger that would allow Linda to read the newspaper. One of our employee’s sons delivered the enlarger to Linda’s home. She was so excited to read her newspaper and books once again. Not only were we able to give her the gift of reading once again, our Outreach Department was able to provide her assistance with hearing aids. Linda had only wonderful things to say about LCCOA. She was a great supporter, and a poster senior for our agency. Linda was a major asset in promoting and spreading the word about LCCOA. She truly was devoted to Lee County Council on Aging Senior Center. I admire Linda for her dedication to the community. She once said “What can I do to help?”. When United Way needed a spokeperson to tell her story, Linda was the first to volunteer. She had so much courage and perseverance. LCCOA will always be grateful to Linda; she will always have a special place in my heart, and I know she will always have a special place in all my staff, drivers and the seniors in our community. Farewell, dear friend, until we meet again.

Until next time ...

LCCOA: a place where you belong, a place to call home.

– Susan

From the WCSC Director

By Susie Welch

New beginning is what I think of every New Year’s Day. And how fitting for me this year as I start my new beginning at Whiteside County Senior Center with you all. I might be a familiar face to several of you – I might have served you coffee at the Friendship House years ago, or maybe I helped you buy or repair your house, but most of you will recognize me as the ring leader of the Foster Grandparents. I have lived in Whiteside County my whole life and am blessed to have my four children and 10 grandchildren close by. My favorite pastime is coupon shopping and writing grant applications to bring new funding into our county. I love challenges, and hugs from grandchildren. My friends call me Susie — if you call me Susan I think I’m in trouble! 2022 is going to be our year! The last two years have been hard ones for everyone. This is why I’m so excited to be at Whiteside County Senior Center to help bring the FUN back to the center! Our grand re-opening of the Center is scheduled for January 4th. Hours will go back to our normal hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We have been in communications with card groups, pool groups and line dancers. We are attempting to bring back everything we used to do, plus add more! For all those coffee drinkers, Luis will have the coffee pot on from 8 to 9 a.m. — stop by and grab a cup and swap stories. I hope to see my favorite veterans at Veterans Coffee on January 13th at 9 a.m.! We have added bigger tables for the congregate meals, as we know several of you like to eat with your friends. We are starting trips again with the first trip being March 30th to Circa 21. With the increase of COVID cases and variants, we will still need to follow the funding sources’ minimum guidelines of masks, social distancing whenever possible and cleaning hands (or using sanitizer) regularly. We still need to limit points of entry but we have both Door No. 1 and Door No. 4 open, with sanitation stations near the doors and extra masks if you forgot yours! Check-in with the receptionist is necessary. This helps us keep track of numbers as we are required to give to our funding sources numbers every month, but also helps us know which programs are the most important to you. We are looking for volunteers to help in various activities — so if you have extra time on your hands let us know your talents and we will find fulfilling projects to help with. If you are having problems getting your booster shot please give Beth or Outreach a call — they will help you navigate the system of doing this.

Looking forward to seeing you all back at the center!

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.

POST HOUSE BALLROOM

Make your event the ‘event of the year’

Our Historic Post House Ballroom is the perfect setting for any occasion. Whether it is for an office party or an elegant wedding, the Post House Ballroom provides the right décor to enhance your event, as shown in the photos of Plews and Edelmann company party. One guest stated: “You don’t need to decorate; the Post House Ballroom is so magnificent in itself.” So whatever you are planning, the Post House Ballroom is the right place to host your next event. Come join us, and allow our team to help you present the event of the year.

LCCOA phone numbers

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 100 West Second Street – Dixon, IL, 61021

Main number 815-288-9236

Transportation 815-288-9236

Post House Ballroom 815-288-9236

Outreach services & free phones for hearing impaired

Outreach hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

E-mail us at lccoa@comcast.net Visit us at www.leecountycouncilonaging.net or www.posthouseballroom.net or find us on Facebook

WCSC phone numbers

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling

Transportation – 815-625-7433 • Information – 815-622-9230

ADRC:

Call 815-622-9230, ext. 194 Outreach and free phones for hard of hearing/low vision 815-622-9230, ext. 194

Toll-free 888-622-9230, ext. 194

Email at info@wc-seniorcenter.org Go to wc-seniorcenter.org or follow us on Facebook.