Greetings from the West End of Cook County and the Birch Grove Community Center!
As we move into more fall-like weather the children are back in school, the foliage on the trees and bushes has begun to turn color, and thoughts seem to turn to schedules and a different pace of life. Some of the summer residents and visitors are leaving and many of us have a little less “company.”
Coffee, cookies and conversation
In keeping with these seasonal rhythms, W.E. Connect is also looking ahead to its fall and winter scheduling. So—we had a meeting, on the evening of September 15 at Birch Grove with coffee, cookies and conversation. (The cookies were homemade chocolate chip and peanut butter.)
The focus of the informal discussion was to gather input on what programs are working and what we might find exciting and beneficial to add in the future. We had a lively and productive discussion concluding with several volunteers stepping up to the plate to research some interesting possibilities.
Residents at North Shore Care Center enjoyed a visit to the Cook County Historical Society Museum in August. The trip included a treat from World’s Best Donuts and a museum tour with Carrie McHugh and Dori Betts. The Music of the North Shore exhibit was a real hit with these ladies! A must see for all ages. (L-R, sitting) Bernice LeGarde, Ione Jones, Skip Rouser, Helen Ford, Nora Bockovich. (L-R, standing) Belinda Hudler, Lorraine Wipson, Kay Rosenthal.
Look for notices for future “Coffee, Cookies and Conversation” meetings and plan to join us. We will continue to move forward on these ideas and add to them. This is your community resource in the West End and we welcome your thoughts and ideas. Working as a community team, we hope to be a positive force in the West End that will be of benefit to all our citizens and guests.
Seniors Connect West
Barb Merritt, our wonderful senior lunch chef, is also busy preparing fall specialties each week at senior lunch. She also prepares extra meals so that friends can take a meal to those who might be ailing or unable to join us at the center.
A fall leaf peeping trip has been planned for Wednesday, September 30. We will be leaving Birch Gove at 10:30 a.m. and travelling to the Trestle Inn, enjoying the foliage along the way. We will then have lunch together and return by about 2:30 p.m.
There are several lunch options all for the princely sum of $5. Please call WE Connect at 663-7977 if you would like to join us. We still have a few openings.
There will be no senior lunch at the Community Center on that day.
Woodfired pizza
Wednesday family pizza nights are coming to a close for this summer. The last night will be September 30. Thank you to everyone who has participated. We have loved having families of all ages join our Pizza Master Trevor Huggins as he has stoked the fire, thrown the dough and baked his delicious pies each week since the beginning of June. Thank you Trevor. We will see you all at the oven next season.
Exercise to stay young
Ginny Cooley, WE Connect board member at the young age of ?? (she won’t disclose the actual number) is our most avid exercise proponent. She is looking for like-minded men and women to join the group.
They meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Stop by and check out this devoted group and all of the new equipment available. We are also looking for instructors. Anyone who teaches Zumba, strength training, core and balance we would love to hear from you soon. If these times are not convenient for you to exercise, give a call and we will explain other options that might be available for those who can’t get away during the daytime hours.
Pickleball
Pickleball is alive and prospering at Birch Grove. Several times a week, a growing core group of what do we call them—ballers? picklers?—can be found on the outside court in this glorious fall weather, or playing inside in the gym if the weather is inclement. Cost to play is $2 and there is equipment available for use. If you would like to learn more about this fast growing sport and learn how to play, call We Connect at 663-7977 and we will put you in touch with this energetic group. They schedule their own games according to their time availability so everyone can join in. By the way, this game is not just for the more senior set. Perhaps some of the younger folks would like to give it a try. See you on the courts!
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 Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte courtesy of Birch Grove Foundation Board Member Coralyn Koshinski.
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