Happy fall everyone! Hope you took advantage of the good weather and went out last week. I can’t seem to forget how beautiful it was, mornings are like fall, but afternoons are like summer.

I had my last mystery trip of the season on Thursday, September 29, what a great time! I took 40 of my favorite people on a small day adventure. We left the Wagoner Community Center at 9 am and headed north. I ran into Orchard Lane Country Store and picked up 4 dozen fresh, hot, homemade donuts that they had ready to grab and go. Then, head to stunning Crystal Mountain for fun and invigorating chairlift rides to see color from a different perspective. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve done this; the view is always breathtaking. Everyone got on board and took in the views, should I say how lucky we are to live in the most beautiful place in Michigan. Then we headed to Thompsonville for a delicious lunch at Geno’s. Geno’s has such an extensive menu and I haven’t had anything that hasn’t been amazing. Thanks to Geno and your staff, with all the employee shortages I know how difficult it is to accommodate a group as large as ours. You were all awesome and so was the food! Our next stop took us to Northern Natural Ciders for a short stop for a glass of wine, hard cider, apple cider or soda. Another wonderful place in our county that you must visit! Thursday, Friday and Saturday night there are groups, food trucks and it’s all out there. It is such a beautiful place and it is a great place to visit. Our last stop was at Downtown Delights for ice cream. Everyone was delighted to go to our old playground and taste their delicious Heresy’s ice cream.

This week we have a full schedule again. I know we keep teasing each other, there aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything on the schedule. But with the help of our awesome volunteers and our awesome people doing the classes, there’s not much we can’t do.

If you are looking for something to do this month, there are so many to choose from. Check out the calendar and pick at least one thing. I challenge you to stop and try at least one activity, I think you’ll be glad you did.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, try our Halloween party. We have a good old fashioned Sock Hop! There will be great music, Sound Waves Next Generation will play all the music from the 50s and 60s, Jerry Zupin will take care of the catering and the party will be the biggest hit of the year! Hope you will come and try this one.

Hats off to everyone who participated in the Lion Pavilion suicide awareness and prevention program on Tuesday. I have never been involved before and they have encouraged county agencies and the community to get involved. It was one of the most enjoyable events and the speakers were awesome.

We are looking for a few good men and women to give us a hand with our senior nutrition program. These are volunteer meal delivery stations, but you are reimbursed for your mileage. If you would like the opportunity to spend an hour or two a week helping our homebound seniors, call Beth at 231-723-6477.

Hope you have a great week and don’t forget to try something new!

SENIOR FRESH PROJECT

Senior Project FRESH coupons have arrived. Manistee County Seniors (60 years and over) who meet income eligibility criteria (For 1 person: $ 23,828. For 2 people: $ 32,227) Project FRESH coupons can be picked up at the senior center. There are a few more coupons, allowing us to distribute a second book to senior families while supplies last.

COMMUNITY MEALS

The collective meal site at the Wagoner Community Center is open by reservation only. Reservations for meals must be made before noon the day before. Call 723-6477 to make your reservations. The catering site in Wellston will serve lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon. The Onekama dining site at the Farr Center will begin serving meals on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m., starting October 18.

FOOD BANK

The senior center food bank is held the 3rd Friday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Seniors in Manistee County who are 60 years of age and older are eligible to participate. If you are picking up another senior, make sure you have a power of attorney note, along with their name, address, date of birth, and household information. Donations of cash and non-perishable food are always appreciated. The next food bank will be on Friday, October 15, 9-11 a.m. at 260 St. Mary’s Parkway.

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE

If you are a Manistee County senior and need emergency food assistance, call the senior center at 723-6477 and speak to a member of staff. We have an emergency pantry that we use to help prevent food insecurity among our seniors during these times.

SENIOR REFUND PROGRAM

The MCCOA has a program designed to help seniors stay independent by reimbursing eligible expenses. If you are a senior in Manistee County, you may receive reimbursement for payments you made for house cleaning, yard work, and snow removal services. For current Senior Refund Program customers, please note that all receipts must be current and no more than 30 days old. Income conditions apply. New customers must complete a registration form. Mail all receipts to 260 St. Mary’s Parkway, Manistee MI. Call the Seniors Center at 723-6477 ext. 214, for more information. Once a senior leaves their home, they are no longer eligible for the reimbursement program.

EXERCISE OPPORTUNITIES

Sit back and get in shape Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Wagoner Community Center. Cardio drums lessons, Thursday evenings at 5:45 p.m. Yoga classes are Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. (chair yoga) and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. (regular yoga). Tai Chi Mon, Wed and Fri at 9 am; Zumba Mon, Wed 2:00 p.m. All classes are free for all seniors and donations are accepted for those under 60.

DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP

The Dementia Support Group will meet on the second Thursday of the month. The group is a friendly and supportive gathering for caregivers, family members or anyone interested in learning more and supporting our community of seniors with dementia. The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 14 at 3 p.m. Contact Jacki Krolczyk, 231-883-1341 for more information.

PARKINSON SUPPORT GROUP

The Parkinson’s Support Group meets at 11 a.m. on the 3rd Thursday of each month. The next support group meeting will be on Thursday, October 21 at the Wagoner Community Center. Call Linda Nickelson at 231-690-5048 for more information.

DRUG MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Manistee County Council on Aging has launched a medication management program. Jean Anderson, the registered nurse on staff, is available to help in this area. Please don’t hesitate to call with your questions. 231-723-6477, ext. 215

SENIOR NUTRITION MENU

October 4 to 8 (group meals are by reservation only. Menus are subject to change)

Monday: Homemade beef stew, steamed peas, sliced ​​carrots, mixed fruit, biscuit

Tuesday: Ham & Swiss pita sandwich, potato salad, 3 bean salad, banana

Wednesday: Breaded pork chop, hubbard squash, asparagus, apple slices with cinnamon, bun

Thursday: Sweet and sour chicken, pilaf rice, sautéed vegetables, pieces of pineapple, bun, lemon sea bass

Friday: Cheeseburger / bun, diced baked potatoes, baked beans, mandarins

EVENTS TO COME

October 3

9:00 am Tai Chi

1:00 p.m. Pinochle

1:00 p.m. Mah Jongg

2:00 p.m. Zumba

October 4

• 12:30 p.m. Bridge

• 3.30 p.m. Yoga on a chair

October 5

• 11:00 a.m. Produce a bingo

• 10:30 am TOP

• 1:30 p.m. Genealogy group

• 2:00 p.m. Zumba

• 6 p.m. Authors’ series

• 6.30 p.m. AA Women’s Group

October 6

• 10:00 am Cribbage

• 11:00 am Bunco

October 7

• 12:30 p.m. Color tour

• 1:00 p.m. Chess group

• 4:30 p.m. yoga

• 5:45 p.m. cardio percussion

October 8

• 9h00 Tai Chi

• NWMHS advice

• 1 p.m., Painting with Joann