The mayor of Manistee will be the caller for celebrity bingo on Wednesday
Hello, Manistee County! What a week! As you know, Manistee County had a few treacherous ice days this week that took their toll on everyone. When public schools in the Manistee area are closed, we don’t open until 10 a.m. so our employees can get to work safely, and we don’t deliver meals because the roads are unsafe. for drivers. So it’s always great when the weather cooperates and we can make sure everything continues in the right direction.
This week we have so much to do at the Manistee County Senior Center. It is an important week for Christians with Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. We’re celebrating Fat Tuesday with a few surprises and the wonderful fun music of 3Ds. Stop by and have fun with everyone. On Wednesday we have Produce Bingo. We play bingo and your prizes are fresh fruits and vegetables. All Manistee County seniors 60 and older are welcome! Our bingo celebrity this week is the Mayor of Manistee, Lynda Beaton. We also opened the building to walkers from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you have time, stop and walk around this large building.
This Wednesday, the meal site at Marilla Town Hall opens. Lunch will be served at noon. Be sure to call ahead and make your reservations. It also looks like the Norman Township Hall will reopen this month, which means the food court will open as well. It’s exciting to know that these places are opening and seniors in these areas of the county will have access to a delicious hot meal.
Be sure to pick up the March newsletter; we have fun new activities and programs coming up. I know we have a spring wreath making class that will be fun to do, and guess who’s helping you make them: yours truly. I saw it in a book and I said to myself: “I want one like that”, so we are going to do it together. Call and sign up for this fun craft.
We also have popcorn and a movie at the beautiful Vogue Theater in March. Call and sign up and let’s go see a movie. We take some of our programs on the road and if you can, we want you to see what you would like to do with us.
We have worked with so many wonderful volunteers who help our seniors in so many ways. We have Fran Wallace, who helps people with Medicare and Medicaid assistance; Cheryl Wolfram, who deals with many issues facing our seniors; Mike Herring, a lawyer who helps our seniors with their legal situation; and so many others. Without all of you, we would not be able to do what we do to help our seniors in Manistee County. Thank you!
Wishing one of our best friends, helper and volunteer a very happy 70th birthday! Chris is an amazing man who is part of our family at the senior center. He is kind, funny and sweet and is always there to help us out. If you see him this weekend, don’t hesitate to wish him a happy birthday.
I hope you are having a wonderful week and don’t forget to try something new!
GROUP MEALS
The Wagoner Community Center catering site serves lunch Monday through Friday at noon. Don’t forget to call and reserve your lunch by noon the night before. The Wellston catering site is temporarily closed. The Onekama meal site at the Farr Center distributes meals Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. via the sidewalk. The Marilla dining site will resume serving Wednesday lunches from March 2. Please keep in mind that the menu is subject to change, as certain food shortages may affect the kitchen.
FOOD BANK
The Senior Center Food Bank takes place on the third Friday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. Manistee County seniors age 60 and older can participate. If you are picking up for another senior, be sure to have a power of attorney note with their name, address, date of birth, and household information. Cash and non-perishable food donations are always appreciated. The next food bank will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on March 18 at 260 St. Mary’s Parkway.
EMERGENCY FOOD AID
If you are a senior in Manistee County and need emergency food assistance, please call the Senior Center at 231-723-6477 and speak to a staff member. We have an emergency food pantry that we use to help prevent food insecurity for our elderly population during these times.
SENIOR REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
The Manistee County Council on Aging has a program designed to help seniors stay independent by reimbursing eligible expenses. If you are a senior in Manistee County, you may be eligible for reimbursement for payments you made for house cleaning, yard work, and snow removal services. For current Seniors Reimbursement Program clients, please note that all receipts must be current — no older than 30 days. Income conditions apply. New customers must complete a registration form. Please mail all receipts to 260 St. Mary’s Parkway, Manistee, MI, 49660. Please call the senior center at 231-723-6477 ext. 214 for more information. Once a senior has moved out of 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-drums classes start at 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Yoga classes are Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. for chair yoga and Thursdays at 3 p.m. for regular yoga. Tai chi is at 9 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Zumba classes are Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. The indoor walking group meets at 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Monday. All classes are free for all seniors and donations are accepted for those under 60.
DEMENTIA SUPPORT
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 about and supporting our community of older people with dementia. The next meeting will be March 10 at 3 p.m. Contact Jacki Krolczyk at 231-883-1341 for more information.
PARKINSON SUPPORT
The Parkinson Support Group meets at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The next support group meeting will be March 17 at the Wagoner Community Center. Please call Marcia Holbrook at 614-937-4442 for more information. There are no meetings in January or February.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
The Manistee County Council on Aging has launched a medication management program. Jean Anderson, the staff nurse, is available to help with this. Please feel free to call with any questions at 231-723-6477, ext. 215
SENIOR NUTRITION MENU
February 28-March 4
Monday: Peasant rib steak, red potatoes, squash, fruit cocktail and biscuit.
Tuesday: Sloppy Joe on a bun, diced baked potatoes, baked beans and sliced pears.
Wednesday: Scrambled eggs with sausage, peppers and onions; apple juice and a blueberry muffin.
Thursday: Chili, steamed corn, green beans, diced peaches, and cornbread.
Friday: Mac and cheese, steamed peas, mixed California vegetables, applesauce and a pretzel roll.
Remember that menus are subject to change.
EVENTS TO COME
February 28
• 9:00 a.m. Tai chi
• 1 p.m. Mahjong
• 2 p.m. Zomba
1st of March
• 11:00 a.m. Tuesday toe tapping
• 11:00 a.m. Mardi Gras with paczki
• 2:00 p.m. Knitting/crochet circle
• 3:30 p.m. Chair yoga
March 2
• 2:00 p.m. Knitting/crochet circle
• 3:30 p.m. Chair yoga
3rd of March
• 9:00 a.m. Tai chi
• 10:30 a.m. TOPS
• 11 a.m. Produce Bingo
• 1:30 p.m. Genealogy group
• 2 p.m. Zumba
March 4
• 10:00 a.m.
• 3 p.m. Yoga
• 4 p.m. Cardio-drums
8 March
10 a.m. Cards and coffee
March 10
10 a.m. Diabetic Meal Planning Thursday
3:00 p.m. Dementia Support Group
the 17th of March
11 a.m. Parkinson support group