With the change in the air to fall, there are changes here at the Senior Center too.
Our monthly newsletter has a new look and a new name, Senior Connections. As I pondered a new name for the newsletter, I thought “connections” is a good term for what we do at the Senior Center, connecting the community with services and friendship.
Dining and Meals on Wheels changes
Our biggest change this fall, for the staff anyway, is the Senior Dining and Meals on Wheels (MOW) program. Effective Monday September 29, the dining program will be provided by the Cook County Council on Aging (CCCOA) aka Senior Center.
Previously, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) was the service provider for the program and the Senior Center was a site. Now we are the service provider and the site.
What does that have to do with me and what changes will I see, you may be wondering? Our onsite dining program and Meals on Wheels will not change, except for the menus and choices of foods, as we change food vendors also.
A great time was had by all of the participants in the recent “Treat Feast” bingo at the Senior Center. A few of the lucky Cash Bingo winners were (L-R, front) Pete Halle, Molly Quello, Kamryn Johnson. (L-R, back) Shirley Ellquist, Irene Peterson, Bill Shaffer, Susan Shaffer, Renette Pearse, Betty Larsen, Gladys Anderson and Nona Smith.
The change will allow us to have more control over menus, food choices and quality, and to provide more healthy options. We also welcome menu suggestions. For example, if you have been wishing for a particular meal, let us know. If it is within our budget constraints, we would be happy to add it to our future menu.
In the coming months we hope to be able to offer other options such as soup, sandwich or salads to the menu in addition to the main entrée. Also, possibly extending our dining-in hours for serving so those who may not be able to come at noon could come anytime from say 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch is currently served Monday – Friday at noon. Meals to go are also available by reservation. These provide easy and nutritional meal options for evening or weekends.
Treat Feast fun
Above: Warren Anderson takes a look at his special birthday cake at his 82nd birthday on September 26.
We have a program we call a “Treat Feast.” Our “Treat Feast” sponsorship enables our seniors to enjoy a little extra special meal. This is a nice opportunity to have a special meal of recognition or celebration. Sponsorship starts at just $50. We welcome both individual and business sponsorships. Recently, on Friday October 3, we enjoyed a delicious ham dinner. The Grand Marais State Bank sponsored the ham and the cookies for dessert.
Following dinner, we enjoyed a fun session of “Cash Bingo” also sponsored by the Grand Marais State Bank. We would like to extend a big thank you to the Grand Marais State Bank for a very fun day at the Senior Center.
The Grand Marais State Bank also sponsors Arrowhead Transit Free Bus Fridays, the first and third Friday of every month from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The bank will pay for your ride within five miles of Grand Marais.
Birthdays and trips
Left: Tom Hedstrom celebrated his 71st birthday at the Senior Center on September 17.
In September, we enjoyed many birthday celebrations. Tom Hedstrom, Sharon Hendrickson, Betty Larsen and Warren Anderson celebrated their September birthdays at the Senior Center. We offer a Birthday Club. For just $10 we will decorate the center, bake you a cake complete with candles, ice cream and photos. It is a wonderful way for our seniors to share their birthday joy.
On Wednesday, October 8, we enjoyed a beautiful autumn trip to Hibbing for lunch and shopping. We were just in time to enjoy the remaining autumn colors.
We have two upcoming Grand Portage Lodge & Casino Trips to the Chmielewski Polka Fest on Sunday, October 19 and Monday evening, October 29. The evening trip leaves the center at 4:15 p.m. Play Bus Bingo on the way! We return at approximately10:30 p.m. The Polka Sunday schedule is 11:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Learn about Medicare Open Enrollment
On October 15 – December 7, Marjori Bottila, Medicare insurance specialist will be at the Senior Center to help find the right plan for you. This is a free service that is well worth taking advantage of. Appointments are required. Times are Friday, October 31, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, November 20, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. and Friday, November 21, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Please call 218-387-2660 to schedule your appointment or to find out more about Senior Center activities. We hope to see you soon at your local Senior Center.
Cook County has a vibrant and active community of elders. Each week we will offer Senior News to highlight our senior citizens. This week’s submission is about the Cook County Senior Center, courtesy of Assistant Director Kristen Anderson.
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