Older couple to celebrate first Thanksgiving in their own home

Habitat Forsyth

Vernell and Charles Springs are experiencing some of the best times of their lives at the ages of 65 and 67. After many years of renting, they recently became Habitat homeowners.

Their home was made possible because Dyeann Jordan, who did not know the couple at all, decided to sponsor a Habitat house for her 85th birthday last spring. Her family and friends came together to raise money for the house materials and to help build it.

It all started last spring when Dyeann was thinking about what to do to celebrate her 85th birthday. The ways in which many others celebrate – with a party or a trip – didn’t interest her. Instead, she wanted to do something for others.

She had been part of Habitat builds in the past through her church, Centenary United Methodist in Winston-Salem, so she decided to sponsor a Habitat house. She and her husband Henry made a lead gift and sent letters to their families and friends, asking them to contribute to the project as Dyeann’s birthday gift. They have so far raised $80,000 and any funds beyond what is needed for materials for the Springs’ home will go toward Habitat’s repair program. This program provides critical home repairs and aging-in-place modifications for residents - many of

Events or meetings: them seniors as well - who cannot otherwise afford them.

“The whole experience turned into something so much bigger than I ever expected,” Dyeann said. “Our whole family got involved – our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews. They came to Winston-Salem from as far away as Houston and Boston to help build. It was such a wonderful thing for our family, and we get to help Habitat and Vernell and Charles at the same time. It is a win-win for everybody. Henry and I normally like to give anonymously, but we decided it was worthwhile to tell our story if it will inspire others to do something like this for others.”

The Springs’ house is in the Boston Thurmond neighbor-

*Medicare Open Enrollment period will take place from Oct. 15-Dec. 7. Enrollment assistance will be provided by volunteers and staff at the Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem, the Forsyth County coordinating site for the North Carolina Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). One hour appointments will be offered during the period subject to the availability of counselors. Appointments must be made by calling the Shepherd’s Center at 336-748-0217 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

*Dial M for Murder presented by Stained Glass Playhouse, Nov. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 6, 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. All performances will be held at Stained Glass Playhouse, 4401 Indiana Ave. Tickets are $17 for adults, $14 for seniors and teachers, and $12 for students. For more information, visit www.stainedglassplayhouse. org/dial-m-for-murder/.

*ELECTION DAY. VOTE! Polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For information, visit https://www.forsyth.cc/Elections/.

*AARP chapter meeting will meet on Nov. 8 (second Tuesday of each month) at Senior Services, 2895 Shorefair Drive. For information about the local AARP chapter, email Alberta Powell at powellalberta0@gmail. com. Open to all seniors age 50 and above with an AARP membership.

*Aging Well series presented by Wake Forest Baptist Sticht Center for Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Prevention, (the second Tuesday of each month) will be held on Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m. virtually online. The webinar includes a cooking segment by a local chef, a tour of a local place of interest, and an educational session on a health topic. To register and receive the link to access the program, email bhealth@wakehealth.edu .

*Aging & Mental Health series presents “Hoarding and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. at Brown and Douglas Recreation Center, 4725 Indiana Ave. For more information or to register, email serenam@cityofws.org or call 336-661-4987.

*Free admission to Reynolda House, Nov. 15, 3-7 p.m. Guests can enjoy all of the museum’s exhibits and stroll the gardens and visit the Village. For more information, visit www.reynolda.org/visit/calendar/reynolda-onthe-house-2/.

*Adult Children of Aging Parents meeting, (third Tuesday), will be held Nov. 15 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1623251384697687. All are welcome, but the focus will be on the needs of adult children who are caring for their aging parents. For more information, visit www. ACAPcommunity.org and look for Winston-Salem under the “Find your chapter” tab, or join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1623251384697687.

*40+ Stage Company “Whittlers’ Bench,” an original work by local playwright David Ratcliff, opening on Friday, Nov. 11, in the Mountcastle Forum at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. The show will run for two weekends, Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on Nov. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. There will be a playwright’s talk back after the Nov. 13 show. For ticket information, visit intothearts.org/events-info or call the box office at 336-747-1414. Tickets are also available at the door.

*The Winston-Salem Symphony presents Cirque de la Symphonie, A Carolina Christmas, on Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 27 at 3 p.m at Reynolds Auditorium, 300 hood, not far from where the Jordans live at Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community. “Mrs. Dyeann is a jewel,” Vernell said. “I am so, so grateful for her, that it was her desire to build a Habitat home for her 85th birthday, and that we were chosen to be the homeowners.”

Like many families, Vernell and Charles have been caught up in the issues caused by a lack of affordable housing. Earlier this year, their landlord raised their rent beyond what they could afford. “We had lived there 13 years, never been late on a payment,” Vernell said. While they waited for their Habitat home to be finished, they temporarily moved in with her daughter, Brandi Baker, who is also a Habitat homeowner.

They probably would have never become homeowners had it not been for Brandi, who insisted they apply to Habitat, Vernell said. The mortgage payment on their Habitat home will be about half of what they were paying in rent, allowing them to put money into savings. Vernell said she learned a lot in the homeownership and financial literacy classes that all Habitat homeowners are required to take as part of the program. “Habitat has given us a new beginning, and I’m so grateful for it. Finally, we will be able to invest in US eventually divorcing.

One day 15 years ago, Vernell went to the emergency room because she had a bad headache. There was Charles, who was there because of back pain. The two rekindled their relationship and finally got married. “He said, ‘You got away from me one time. I’m not going to let you get away from me again,’” Vernell says with a laugh.

Both spent much of their lives taking care of others, through bad relationships and financial and health setbacks, Vernell says. “All my life, I’ve rather than someone else.”

Both Winston-Salem natives, Vernell and Charles met decades ago when both worked at Morrison’s Cafeteria. Charles asked Vernell to marry him then, but she wasn’t ready. Each ended up marrying other people, then

June Senior Events Calendar:

Hawthorne Road. Experience high-flying holiday delights and death-defying routines performed by accomplished acrobats and some of the most original talents ever seen.

Senior centers, recreation and community centers and other organizations:

Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem, 1700 Ebert Street:

Some of the ongoing Shepherd’s Center activities are listed below. Call the Shepherd’s Center at 336-748-0217 for information. Contact Kristin Larson at klarson@ shepherdscenter.org to register and for Zoom meeting information. More of their programs, including those on off-campus sites, can be found on their website at www. shepherdscenter.org.

*Mondays 10-11 a.m., line dancing for fun and fitness with Brenda Holcomb. $7 per class. Meets on the upper level. Please arrive by 9:15 a.m. as class begins promptly at 9:30 a.m.

*Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m., Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention with Wanda Patterson. $2 donation.

*Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m., The Shepherd Center Singers. Donations accepted. Please contact Carmina Jenks at pegjen2@gmail.com to join.

*Wednesdays, Fellowship and Games, 1:30-4 p.m., meets on the lower level.

*Wednesdays, 1:30-4:00 p.m., Artistic Expressions. Bring your art/craft projects to work on; some coloring supplies available.

*Way Back Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. with Paul McCraw, a local historian and retired history teacher, who will discuss local and world history and relate it to today’s events. Via Zoom.

*Thursdays, 12-1 p.m., Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, forms I and II with Wanda Patterson. $2 donation.

*Thursdays at 1 p.m., Game Day with Fay and Kristin. We play different games every week, such as Boggle, Scattergories, Trivia, Pictionary and more. Come join the fun! We ask that you please arrive by 1 p.m.; once the game begins you will not be able to join. Via Zoom.

*Thursdays, 1:30 – 4:00 p.m., Chess with Paul Sluder.

*Thursdays at 3 p.m., Thinking Outside the Box Discussion Group. Meets in person on lower level.

Mary Alice Warren Community Center, 7632 Warren Park Drive, Lewisville:

The classes below are presented by Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem:

*Writing Stories from your Life - Every second Monday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

For additional classes held at this center, visit https:// lewisvillenc.net/MAWCC and click on Classes Offered.

Brown & Douglas Active Adult Center, 4725 Indiana Avenue: Various activities for seniors. Contact Serena Mumford at 336-661-4998 or email serenam@cityofws.org for more information.

*Monday through Friday, TechWise. Get help with all your digital devices. Call Serena for appointment.

*Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-10 a.m., yoga.

*Tuesdays, noon, Active Living Every Day

*Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m., chair exercises.

*Tuesdays, 2 p.m., Tai Chi

*Wednesdays, 1 p.m., Chair volleyball

*Thursdays, 9 a.m., Nature Walk & Talk

*Thursdays, 5 p.m., T.O.P.S. weight loss class

*Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Let’s Jam with Jamita step

Aerobics

been a giver. I never asked anyone for anything. But in my later years, God has given me so many beautiful people in my life. Every person I have met at Habitat has been wonderful.”

To learn more, visit habitatforsyth.org.

*Fridays, 1 p.m., Game Day - Corn hole, golf putting, various games

Salvation Army Senior Center, 2850 New Walkertown Road:

*Tuesdays, 10 a.m., line dancing

*Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., chair yoga

*Tuesdays, 11 a.m., chair volleyball

*Wednesdays, 11 a.m., drumming exercise

*Wednesdays, 12 p.m., spiritual development

*Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m., REACHE Program

*Thursdays, 10 a.m., hand bells music

*Thursdays, 11 a.m., educational program

*Thursdays, 12 p.m., Lunch (please sign up by calling Captain Raquel Lorenzo at 336-499-1196)

Carver School Road Public Library, 4915 Lansing Drive:

*First Tuesday Get Together, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., arts, crafts and seasonal cards, hosted by Sandra Smith.

*Adult games the last Thursday of each month, Sept. 29, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Come play cards, board games and dominos and make new friends!

Humana Neighborhood Center, 1045 Hanes Mall Blvd. Call 336-293-0122 to register as space is limited.

(Note: The center will be closed Nov. 23-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.)

*Tuesday, Nov. 8 & 22, 10-11 a.m., Get help with your technology

*Tuesday, Nov. 15, 10-11 a.m., Thanksgiving Bingo

*Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Popcorn and a movie, “American Underdog” (2021)

Tuesday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Popcorn and a movie, “Dog” (2022)

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Popcorn and a movie, “The Final Year” (2017)

*Wednedays, 9:15-10 a.m., SilverSneakers strength and balance

*Wednesday, Nov. 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m., chair volleyball

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Popcorn and a movie, “Unchartered” (2022)

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Popcorn and a movie, “Horizon Line” (2021)

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 10:30-12:30 a.m., Food and Mood: What’s the Connection? Presentation and cooking demo.

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Empowered Relief!

*Thursday, Nov. 3, 10-11 a.m., Anxiety: Managing Worries and Fears

*Thursday, Nov. 10, 10-11 a.m., Simple changes for managing high blood pressure

*Thursday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Battling the aging brain

*Thursday, Nov. 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Birthday Celebration and trivia

Note: The Humana Neighborhood Center will be closed Nov. 23-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

If you have an item for the Seniors Calendar, please email news@wschronicle.com and put Seniors Calendar in the subject line. Items must be submitted by the 20th of the preceding month for the next month’s issue.

Halloween tricks or treats come along only once a year, but the consequences of financial decisions usually last far past the next spooky holiday. Options that seem good on the surface, if not handled properly, can have longlasting negative consequences.

To understand how a seemingly good financial move can work against you, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont encourages us all to review the following to see if their actions are resulting in a welcome financial treat or a trick to be avoided.

*Discontinuing the use of credit

Treat: Living on a cash basis means that you never overspend or pay interest on your purchases. Typically, people who pay with cash save 20% over those who charge their goods and services.

Trick: At some point in their life, most people will need access to credit and creating a thick and positive credit file is a good thing. To do so, it is necessary to have at least three open and active lines of credit.

*Automatic bill paying

Treat: Arranging for your payments to be sent to creditors before the due date means you’ll never ble, and internet services.

Trick: If you use the savings from the bundling of services for a larger, more expensive plan than you really need, it’s no savings at all.

*Co-signing on a loan Treat: You can help another person establish credit, rebuild credit, or purchase something beyond what they could on their own credit worthiness.

Trick: The co-signer and primary borrower are equally responsible for payment of the loan. As well-meaning as people are, things happen. Never co-sign on a loan unless you can afford to solely take over the payments.

*Balance transfers

Treat: With a lower interest rate, you can repay the debt sooner and save the money you would have paid with the higher APR.

Trick: Faulty thinking leads you to believe that since the interest rate on the new card is so low, it won’t hurt to charge a few things. Before you know it, the introductory period with the low rate has expired, and not only is your original balance not paid off, but it’s higher than when you began.

*Reward Cards

Treat: You can earn miles, airline points, or even cash back with reward cards.

Trick: Reward categories often change each less plastic in your wallet equals fewer temptations to spend.

Trick: Closing an account will lower your total credit line, potentially making your debt ratio worse. Further, you’ll lower the longevity factor of your credit score.

*Opting into overdraft protection Treat: You’ll avoid the embarrassment of having your purchase denied at checkout.

Trick: Overdraft protection is expensive, particularly for those who routinely overdraw their checking account. This false sense of security is only putting a Band-Aid on the true financial problem: spending more than you make. Even if the overdrafts result from legitimate purchases such as food or medicine, it is a better option to get to the root of the continued financial distress and solve it.

*Freezing your credit file

Treat: A frozen credit file is a layer of protection against identity theft since no one can open a new account in your name without you first lifting the security freeze.

Trick: There may be fees associated with this service, and you may have to wait days for the ac- count to be “unfrozen,” which can be inconvenient if you want your credit file to be immediately accessible for instant credit.

Others who may be denied access to your credit file include insurance companies, landlords, employers who need to obtain a background check, cell phone companies, and utilities.

*Purchasing extended warranties

Treat: An extended warranty can provide you with peace of mind.

Trick: Some items are inexpensive or have a very good track record, thus you don’t need to pay for a warranty on them. If the item under warranty does break, you may be asked to jump through some difficult hoops to activate the warranty, or the warranty may not cover what you thought it did.

Please thoroughly research and fully understand the risks and benefits to any financial decision you make. Simply because an offer sounds appealing, doesn’t mean it is.

Don’t get spooked by your financial decisions! Reach out for help from a trained and certified counselor at Financial Pathways of the Piedmont: Call 336-896-1191 or email info@financialpaths.org. For assistance in Spanish, call 336-748-7031 or email lorena@financialpaths.org.