Seniors Center Selected as Recipient for Vacation Giving Program
Hello Manistee County! Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.
Hope you are getting ready for a wonderful Christmas and have some special plans. I have listened to a lot of Christmas music in my office and at home, which helps me feel a little happier this time of year. There is always so much to do to prepare for Christmas; shopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating, as well as school programs and socializing.
I feel so blessed that this year we got to see our three oldest grandchildren in their school performance. You always wonder what they will do to their Christmas Sings.
Milo and Harley are in kindergarten, Harley is in the 3 year old class, and Milo is in the 4 year old class, so their classes sang together. Nothing beats those ages when they are in front of a huge group of parents and grandparents.
Both boys behaved so well and sang the songs without moving or jumping. Adeline, who is in second grade, participated in a few parts of the Christmas program. They tumbled, flipped, and cartwheels to fun songs, then she was Mary during one of their class songs. My attention was to watch all the children have the chance to sing into the microphones that were at their level and to hear each other. Invaluable!
I got the best call the other day from Parkdale Auto, Sales and Service. The MCCOA was selected for its holiday giving program. For every car sold in December 2021, $ 100 will be donated to Manistee County Council on Aging. I’ve heard so many nice things about Tyler Reed and his dad John Reed. It’s nice to have wonderful businesses in our county that help their non-profit agencies serve their clients. Thank you!
We were all so excited this week with the installation of our new doors. They are beautiful and they all work wonderfully. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be so excited about the doors of a building. But we want to make the Wagoner Community Center accessible to all residents of Manistee County.
To do this, we must have doors accessible to all and by next week, they will be ready to roll for our entire community. I want to thank the 100 women who care about their very generous donations and for everyone who has something to do with the Wagoner Community Center Holiday Craft Show. Your donations made these doors possible and will be used for many years to come. Thank you very much to all!
Well, the gifts are wrapped and bagged for our Christmas gift program. We have over 100 seniors who could enjoy the holiday cheer this year and we’ll be ready to roll on Monday and Tuesday. Thanks to everyone who has helped in any way this year. We weren’t sure we could serve so many people, but with your help it’s happening. A huge thank you to so many people who left so many wonderful gifts for our seniors.
Santa Claus and his girlfriends will personally drop by to bring smiles. With the pandemic, we know that so many older people are more isolated and unable to go out much. So, we thought we would spread some more joy. Thank you to everyone who called with the names of people to stop and see and thank you to everyone who helped in any way to make this possible. Merry Christmas to all of you !
This week we have Toe Tapping on Tuesday and I can imagine there will be a lot of great Christmas music. Wednesday we have Fun Bingo and who knows what kind of surprises will be offered that day?
I wish you a great week and a very Merry Christmas!
The gathering meal site at the Wagoner Community Center serves lunch Monday through Friday at noon. Don’t forget to call and reserve your lunch before noon the night before. The Wellston catering site will be distributing lunches from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with take-out meals. The Onekama dining site at the Farr Center is distributing meals at 11:15 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, with curbside delivery. The menu is subject to change as some food shortages can affect the cuisine.
FOOD BANK
The senior center food bank is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the third Friday of the month. 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 January 21 at 260 St. Mary’s Parkway. There will be no food bank in December.
EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE
If you are a senior in Manistee County and need emergency food assistance, call the Elderly Center at 231-723-6477 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.
SENIORS REIMBURSEMENT 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 a refund for payments you made for house cleaning, yard work, and snow removal services. For current senior reimbursement 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. Call the Seniors Center at 231-723-6477 ext. 214, for more information. Once an elderly person leaves their home, they are no longer eligible for the reimbursement program.
EXERCISE OPPORTUNITIES
Sit and Get Fit is Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Wagoner Community Center. Cardio drum lessons are 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 is canceled until further notice. Zumba classes are at 2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. All classes are free for 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 about and supporting our community of seniors with dementia. The next meeting will be on January 13 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 third Thursday of each month. The next support group meeting will be on January 20 at the Wagoner Community Center. Call Linda Nickelson, 231-690-5048 for more information.
DRUG MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Manistee County Council on Aging has launched a medication management program. Jean Anderson, the RN on staff, is available to help in this area. Call with your questions, 231-723-6477, ext. 215
SENIOR NUTRITION MENU
December 20-23. Menus are subject to change.
Monday: Scrambled eggs, sausage patty, peppers / onions, diced baked potatoes, blueberry muffin, orange juice. (note the menu change)
Tuesday: Fish cooked with lemon, rice pilaf, mixture of winter vegetables, coleslaw, bread
Wednesday: Sloppy Joe on bread, diced baked potatoes, baked beans, fruit cocktail
Thursday: Baked ham, potato gratin, green bean casserole, pineapple, roll, biscuit
Friday: No meal today due to holidays
EVENTS TO COME
December 20
• 1:00 p.m. – Pinochle
• 1:00 p.m. – Mah Jongg
• 2:00 p.m. – Zumba
December 21
• 11:00 a.m. – Tapping toes Tuesday
• 12:30 p.m. – Bridge
• 3.30 p.m. – Chair yoga
22 december
• 10:30 am – TOP
• 11:00 am – Fun bingo
• 1:30 p.m. – Genealogy group
23 december
10 a.m. – Cribbage
11:00 am – Bunco
4:30 p.m. – Yoga
5:45 p.m. – Cardio battery