Connections, Spring 2021 by ACCAging

MARCH 2021

Pave It Forward Mentoring Women As Our Next Generation of Leaders

AL SO I NSI DE: Spring Events & Activities To Do Safely by Social Distancing Growing Trends in Gardening Protect Yourself Against COVID-19 Vaccine Scams A Short Meditation Travel Inspiraton for 2021

PRODUCED IN PAR TNERSHIP WITH

WELCOME WELCOME TO SAFE AND AND SOUND. AND HAPPY. HAPPY.

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Community Internal Community Internal Medicine of Athens Medicine of Athens 1500 Oglethorpe Ave. 1500 Oglethorpe Ste. 200C, Athens Ave. Ste. 200C, Athens 706.389.3875 706.389.3875

Georgia Family Georgia Family Medicine Medicine

2410 Hog Mountain Rd. 2410 HogSte. Mountain Bldg. 200, 201 Rd. Bldg. 200, Ste. 201 Watkinsville Watkinsville 706.310.3470 706.310.3470

Johnson & Murthy Johnson & Murthy Family Practice Family Practice 1500 Oglethorpe Ave. 1500 Oglethorpe Ste. 200A, Athens Ave. Ste. 200A, Athens 706.548.5833 706.548.5833

Lighthouse Family Lighthouse Family Practice Practice

St. Mary’s Family St. Mary’s Family Medicine Medicine

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St. Mary’s Internal St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates Medicine Associates

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St. Mary’s Neurological St. Mary’s Neurological Specialists Specialists 2470 Daniells Bridge Rd. 2470 Daniells Bridge Rd. Bldg. 200, Ste. 261, Athens Bldg. 200, Ste. 261, Athens 706.310.1859 706.310.1859 Satellite offices in Lavonia Satellite offices in Lavonia and Greensboro. and Greensboro.

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2 I CO NN E C T I ON S / W H AT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

During During unsettled unsettled times, times,the theconstants constants in in life life give give us us comfort. comfort. Yes, Yes,we weare aretaking taking all all recommended recommended safety safetyprecautions precautionsduring duringthis this pandemic. pandemic. But But the theone onething thingthat thathasn’t hasn’tchanged, changed,the the one one thing thing our our residents residentsknow knowthey theycan cancount counton, on,isis feeling feeling happy happy to to be behere. here.

AE-0003337892-01

MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 3

CEO/PRESIDENT

Eve Anthony

B O A R D O F D I R E C TO R S

Kelly Holloway, Chair Laurie Douglas, Immediate Past Chair Dr. Reginald Woods, Vice Chair Don DeMaria, Treasurer Robert Hardell, Immediate Past Treasurer Becky Lane, Secretary D I R E C TO R O F S A L E S , T H E AT H E N S B A N N E R - H E R A L D

Tony Bernados

C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R

Robin Stauffer ACC A S TA F F

Athens, Georgia: home to the University of Georgia, but also consistently ranked as one of the top places to retire. There are so many things that make Athens unique. The food; the music; the arts, theater and culture; the sporting events; the parks, trails and green space; and the educational opportunities are just a few of the things that make Athens awesome. Not to mention, it’s a very philanthropic community. There is no place like Athens and there is nothing like this magazine. We’re on a mission to provide our friends and neighbors who have decided to spend their golden years in our quintessential community with a lifestyle magazine that will help them explore, experience and thrive. Just like the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA), we want to enhance the lives of older adults that live in our area. The Athens Community Council on Aging believes that everyone should have the opportunity to age well. With programs and services that ensure older adults have access to basic needs such as food and transportation and the opportunity for personal fulfillment achieved through social connections, life-long learning and meaningful contributions to the community, ACCA is the essential resource to help people navigate and celebrate life’s second half.

We’re also on a mission to support our community, and partnering with ACCA on the publication of this magazine allows us to do so. The partnership allows ACCA to use the expertise of OnlineAthens/The Athens Banner-Herald staff to assist with photography, design, magazine content and other editorial resources. It allows OnlineAthens/The Athens Banner-Herald to work with industry leaders to create relevant content ideas, use the knowledge and expertise of ACCA staff to pen this content, and provides an endless list of individuals to spotlight in the magazine. Over the years, ACCA has realized that they can have a larger impact and serve more by creating partnerships with local businesses and other organizations within our community. This partnership allows ACCA to reach a larger, more diverse population. It allows OnlineAthens/The Athens Banner-Herald the opportunity to help this non-profit organization to further their mission. Since our first issue, released in the spring of 2017, ACCA has seen a significant increase in participation in their trips and classes, increased volunteer engagement, and an increased community awareness in the services it provides. Connections/What’s Next? is more than a magazine. It’s a partnership with a purpose.

HAVE A STORY TO SHARE?

GROW YOUR BUSINESS:

If you’ve got a great idea for a story, we want to know about it! Submit your story ideas to Tony at TBernados@localiq.com. For those interested in writing, submit samples of previously published work and a brief description of the idea. 4 I CO NN E C T I ON S / W H AT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

We would love to help grow your business by reaching your target audience within the pages of this magazine. You can help support the mission of the Athens Community Council on Aging by doing so. If you would like more information on advertising opportunities with Connections/What’s Next? contact Tony at TBernados@localiq.com or call 706.821.6602.

Eve Anthony Erin Beasley Amy Lancaster Paige Powell ACCO U N T E X E C U T I V E S

Tom Bennewitz Beth Flenniken

ADVERTISING SUPPORT

Ashley Thompson

CO N T R I B U TO R S

ON THE COVER

A NOTE FROM EVE ANTHONY, ACCA PRESIDENT/CEO

PAVE IT FORWARD: MENTORING WOMEN AS OUR NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

COVID-19 VACCINE 10

IT'S OUR TURN TO PULL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET VACCINATED!

GROWING TRENDS IN GARDENING

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

AGE WELL. LIVE WELL.

A SHORT MEDITATION

LET'S EAT WELL TOGETHER

MEET MICHELLE SIMPSON MEET RICK DUNN, SR.

Ellen Everitt Nikaela Frederick Josh Hussey Amy Lancaster Caitlin O'Donnell Paige Powell Allyn Rippin

FAVORITE NEW ZEALAND DISHES

AGING: EVERYBODY’S DOING IT

ACC A I N T E R N S

TRAVEL INSPIRATION 2021

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Kim Wolf Ellen Lopez Richelle Matarazzo Zac Kumpula CO N TAC T ACC A

135 Hoyt Street Athens, GA 30601 706.549.4850

CALENDAR 33

SPRING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

© 2021 ACCA Connections is a quarterly publication distributed by ACCA throughout Northeast Georgia. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Reproduction in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Advertising in this publication does not imply a relationship with ACCA. MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 5

Jessica Rothacker

Pave It Forward BY CAITLIN O'DONNELL

wo thousand twenty-one marks a historical milestone for American women. The first female vice president, Kamala Harris, took office in January. She was also the first woman and the first African-American attorney general of California. Harris is one of many women throughout history who have blazed a trail for other women to lead. American women have strived to enter politics since the country’s founding. The first woman to run for president, Victoria Woodhull, did so 50 years before women could vote. Wyoming became the first state to allow women to vote in 1869. In 1916, Jeanette Rankin became the first congresswoman in the United States. Women were not represented on the Supreme court until 1981, when President Ronald Reagan appointed Sandra Day O’Connor. American women have also worked their way into leadership roles in business. The first self-made female millionaire in the United States was Madam CJ Walker, who was born a slave. Walker made her fortune selling homemade hair products in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The first female CEO of a Fortune 500 Company,

the Washington Post, was Katharine Graham in 1972. According to artist and educator Vivian Liddell, the arts are more difficult for women to succeed in because that career path is not as easily defined as other paths. For example, someone with a law degree can start getting paid to practice law immediately. Artists often have to create their art without pay and hope to sell it or find paid opportunities to perform it. “I think that does not traditionally work in favor of women because traditionally women have been responsible for raising children and domestic duties. A lot of artists start off not getting paid, but you have to do something to make money,” said Liddell. But those obstacles haven’t stopped women. In 1987, Aretha Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Edith Wharton was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her novel “The Age of Innocence” in 1921. Of course, not every woman can be the first woman to be vice president or to earn a million dollars, but every woman can do her part to make sure the first women to accomplish something are not also the last to do so. Athens boasts some pretty incredible women leaders who are setting the example in our community.

Of course, not every woman can be the first woman to be vice president or to earn a million dollars, but every woman can do her part to make sure the first women to accomplish something are not also the last to do so. 6 I CO NN E C T I ON S / W H AT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

spent years working her way up through the ranks at various restaurants before opening Heirloom Café with her father, Travis Burch, in 2011. She is currently the executive chef. Last year, Rothacker was invited to join Les Dames d’Escoffier International, which helps women enter and advance in culinary careers. What is your number one piece of leadership advice? “Don’t try to do it all yourself. There are people out there who can help you and want to help you. Let them help you. Also, say no when something is going to stretch you too thin. Don’t worry about disappointing someone. That’s on them. Being good to yourself is on you. You have to be your best self in order to serve others at your top capacity and you have to serve yourself to make that happen.” How do you define a leader? “I define a leader as someone who strives to help others in their community or industry do the best they can and move forward in their positions. They take the time to listen to the needs of those around them, find ways to address those needs and push themselves to work for the greater good. I identify with the concept of servant leadership and leading by example rather than dictating tasks to others with an iron fist. Even a leader must be a part of the work. They are never above doing the work and often have to push themselves to work harder than those they are leading.”

Kathi Andrews thrives on finding new challenges, whether it is flying a plane, learning a new medical procedure or building something from scratch. Andrews joined the Athens Fire Department in the 1980s, where she was the only woman on the crew. At the time, equipment didn’t even come in a size small enough for her.

How do you feel about where we are with accepting women as leaders? “I think women still have to really prove themselves. I think it’s harder for a woman. I know when I joined the fire department, there were a lot of guys that did not want me there. But when we got through training, I had a lot of guys come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I’d go into a burning building with you any day.’ Because they knew they could count on me. It’s gotten better, but it’s still difficult.” What is your best piece of leadership advice? “You have to show your strengths, but you also need to listen to the people you’re over because you’re nothing without the people behind you. It’s important to be able to take control, but also be able to listen to those you’re over so you can handle all situations fairly.”

Shannon Brooks believes

that one must get involved in their community if they want to see changes happen. Her position with the University of Georgia’s Department of Service Learning allows her to merge her passions for community involvement and helping students grow. Brooks helped develop UGA’s Campus Kitchen ten years ago. She is currently working with the Athens Community Council on Aging and the Athens Area Homeless Shelter to combat food insecurity in our community. How do you identify as a leader? “My perception of leadership has changed over the years. When I was a younger professional, I had a lot of male role models who I looked at as leaders. I didn’t have a lot of women that I knew very well who were in leadership positions. It’s shifted radically over time, especially the last 25 years. It’s amazing to me to see the different styles of leadership. I see myself as someone who is willing to step in and take on the difficult roles that are needed and I think, too, to provide a vision for how we move forward and ways we can work more innovatively and create a culture where other people can grow.” How do you feel about where we are as a society in accepting women as leaders? “I feel more hopeful than I have in a long time because, more and more, women are taking on roles and they’re the first. I think the recent election is a great example. We have our first woman who is serving as vice president. It’s an amazing achievement.

I really hope that younger generations of women, when they start their career, this isn’t even a question for them.” After studying at Princeton, Yale and Duke, Michelle Cook started her career as an educator. She has held many leadership roles at the University of Georgia, including her current position as interim associate provost for diversity. “Any position I’ve had, I feel like I’ve learned more than I’ve taught,” said Cook. How do you feel about where we are as a society in accepting women as leaders? “I think we’ve come a very long way. Of course, there is a ways to go, but I think that, particularly with the younger generations, young people are coming up and having experiences where women are seen as capable and effective leaders. I think it’s not an anomaly, definitely as it was a couple of decades ago. Having said that, I think there are still some stereotypes and biases in regards to women as leaders that you still have to overcome.” What is your number one piece of leadership advice? “There’s not any one set of attributes that makes one a leader or makes one successful in leadership, but you have to be authentic in terms of who you are and what you value. When people are authentic in that space, it shows and folks can respect that even if they don’t agree with them.”

Vivian

Liddell has

loved art since her childhood and she made several career changes before she started teaching art in 2002. Throughout her years of teaching, Liddell realized how much harder it is for women to get established and have work-life balance as artists. Liddell started her podcast “Peachy Keen” in 2017 to help herself get comfortable speaking her mind and encourage other women to do the same. How do you feel about where we are as a society about accepting women as leaders? “I think we’re getting there. Definitely much better than it was when 8 I CO NN E C T I ON S / W H AT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

I was younger. I didn’t really have a lot of examples of women that were artists when I was growing up, even into college.” How are you paving it forward for the next generation of women leaders? “My role as an educator is where that comes out the most. I’m constantly looking out for what I could do to help any aspiring artist, but I do specifically try to look out for women because I struggled a lot when I was younger. I’m also aware of how important it is to talk about how your personal life is interwoven with your career. When I speak to younger women, I try to tell them how I’ve managed things and prepare them for the fact that their career as an artist is not going to be separate from their personal life.” When Nancy Denson learned that older citizens were eating dog food as a cheap protein source, she helped found the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. She was in Athens City Council in 1980, was tax commissioner for 26 years and served as mayor for eight years. Denson has also been on the board of the Athens Community Council on Aging and currently serves on the board of the Salvation Army. How do you identify as a leader? “It’s really odd because I never thought of myself as a leader. I know other people refer to me as a leader, but I always considered myself one of the people in whatever I was doing, whether I was involved in the PTA when my children were growing up or on the City Council or the Mayor’s office. I think leadership is most effective when you do it by example. For instance, in the tax office, I would always learn to do the jobs that I expected other people to do. I would make sure I knew what I was hiring somebody for, so I didn’t expect too much of them and could judge their work better. You also have to be out front and willing to take the licks for the people you’re leading. I think a big part of leadership is taking responsibility for the group you’re leading.” What is your best piece of leadership advice? “Once you’re there, never forget who you are and why you’re there. That’s something I feel like I accomplished for myself. I never forgot who I was and why I ran for office to begin with or who I worked for, which was the citizens of our community.”

We at Athens Community Council on Aging miss you! As we enter a new year, we are hopeful about what the future holds. But, like many of you, we continue to face uncertain days ahead. However, our commitment remains the same- no senior will be left behind. Although our work has been very different over the past year, our core values, the foundation of who we are, remains the same. With innovation and imagination, we continue to pivot our services to meet the needs of our community and all those we serve. Ensuring quality and commitment in all that we do, we have served more than 293,500 meals to 8,140 people since the beginning the pandemic. Thanks to virtual technology, we are able to design and implement online programs and wellness activities to reduce isolation and loneliness. We partnered with extraordinary individuals, local businesses and organizations to make all this happen. We expect 2021 to be no different. We are grateful for the support of so many and in turn, give generously of our resources to support our community in their efforts to care for one another during

this time. We continue to use this time of resiliency as a way to learn and improve and are sharing our experience and lessons learned with others. Without a doubt, Athens Community Council on Aging continues to foster a culture of kindness and respect by showing genuine care and concern for our community, each other and ACCA. ACCA is excited to be making plans to reopen to normal activities in the late spring or early summer. We are excited to enter this new season of hope and resiliency. While we do not know what the future will hold, we do know that our commitment to each of you remains the same. We look forward to seeing you soon! In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call. As always, it is our commitment to be the essential resource for older adults in our community. As this past year has shown, we’re here when you need us. Eve Anthony, President/CEO Athens Community Council on Aging MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 9

COVID-19 Vaccine: It’s our turn to roll up our sleeves and get vaccinated!

t’s hard to imagine a time when we didn’t know COVID-19 existed. Now when people say “virus,” we know what they mean. The impact of COVID-19 on our lives, our activities, and our freedom has affected us all. The responsibility is ours, as a community, to help stop this virus. Now we have a new, safe, and effective tool to help us do that—COVID-19 vaccines. It takes everyone. We all need to step up to beat COVID-19. We ask you to join us in protecting yourself, your family and friends, and our community by getting vaccinated. “COVID-19 vaccination is one of the strongest tools we can use to fight this pandemic together,” says Eve Anthony, CEO, ACCA. Getting vaccinated adds an important layer of protection for you, your family, and loved ones. Here are some things you should know about the COVID-19 vaccine: • All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are very effective at preventing the disease. • The most common side effects are pain in the arm where you got the shot, feeling tired, headache, body aches, chills, and fever. • Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available—wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, washing your hands frequently, and getting vaccinated.

“COVID-19 vaccination is one of the strongest tools we can use to fight this pandemic together,” —Eve Anthony, CEO, ACCA

We want everyone in our community to be safe and get back to hugging our families and friends and shaking hands with our neighbors. We all play a part in this effort, and you are key. Please sign up to get your COVID-19 vaccination.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit CDC’s FAQs web page: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html 1 0 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 11

Growing Trends in Gardening BY CAITLIN O'DONNELL

or many people, gardening evokes childhood memories of grandparents shelling peas, victory gardens, or a hard-won good meal during the Great Depression. It is common for retirees to take up gardening, and for good reasons. Gardening increases quality of life by providing fresh food, purifying the air and adding beauty to homes and yards. Caring for plants can also give the gardener a new sense of purpose. Gardens can be scaled up or down based on the participant’s commitment and the amount of space available. Most spaces will accommodate a row of small pots in a window. Larger outdoor gardens require the gardener to get exercise and fresh air, which improve quality of life. “It makes me feel good,” said Margie Flowers, an avid gardener who takes over 10,000 steps a day between walking in the park and gardening. “When I go out and I work in the garden, I usually go out every other day and sometimes every day, it gives me a good feeling and it gives me something to do.”

1 2 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

What to Consider When Planning For This Spring Uses for the plants

Food is one of the most common uses for plants. Who doesn’t love homegrown blackberries fresh from the vine or a sandwich with homegrown tomatoes? Flowers, who has over 20 house plants, three raised gardens and an outdoor garden, decides what to plant based on what her family likes to eat and what grew well last year. “I change it every year. Might not plant the same things this year as I did last year, but I’ll definitely plant string beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli, okras, tomatoes and squash,” says Flowers. Others garden for medicinal purposes. Dean Nelson, the manager of Cofer’s Home and Garden Showplace, says that eucalyptus grows particularly well in the Athens area. Eucalyptus is often used in salves and homemade beauty products. Those who have limited space might also consider a tea garden. Tea gardens allow gardeners to make fresh teas based on their preferences and needs. Plants can also be used in arts and crafts projects. Dried flowers can be made into potpourri, cast in resin for jewelry or arranged into collages. Fresh-cut flowers can make lovely center pieces or gifts for loved ones.

Many flower crafts are simple enough to share with the grandchildren, too. For those with indoor-only pets, plants can improve their quality of life as well. Many cat owners grow catnip and wheatgrass for sensory enrichment. An old plastic storage container filled with wheatgrass makes an ideal sunny napping spot and it's harder for the cats to knock over than traditional pots.

Environment

A gardener must also consider the climate and soil where the plants are being grown. Athens is located in the Georgia Piedmont. It is easier to manipulate a house plant’s environment with lights, temperature controls or simply moving the plant, but anything planted in the ground or a raised bed must survive Georgia’s sweltering summers and short, mild winters. Plants that are native to Georgia or a region with a similar climate will grow best.

“Everybody’s pulling in some kind of native, even if it’s one or two things,” said Nelson. Be wary of nonnative plants that grow a little too well, such as Chinese Privet and English Ivy. Nonnative plants growing in the Piedmont do not have the same insects and diseases that prey on them in their homeland, making it easy for them to out-compete the native plants that do. Cofer’s Home and Garden Showcase and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia both have a selection of native plants to choose from. Examples of native plants include Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mountain Laurels, several types of azaleas and hollies, Forget-Me-Nots, White Trillium, Butterfly Milkweed, Coral Bells, Dwarf Pawpaw and Georgia Aster.

Beauty

Personal preference is another thing to consider when choosing what to plant. For example, Flowers MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 13

colors now. One is called glitter and it looks like somebody just glued glitter right on the petals,” said Nelson. Other popular choices include Green Santolinas and Spider’s Web plants.

Space

plants roses and green shrubbery because she likes them. It is more enjoyable for gardeners to care for plants that make them happy. Gardeners who are sad to see their plants turn brown in the winter might consider some Touch O’ Gold Holly. The bright yellow plant gets brighter in the winter months. Nelson recommends pairing it with Dwarf Loropetalums because he likes the way the purple and yellow complement each other. While most gardenias only bloom once, Nelson also stocks some reblooming varieties. Cofer’s Home and Garden Showplace also has new double-flowering Dianthuses and single-flowering Dianthuses that look like they have been tie-dyed. There are also several new colors of Helleborus. “The original Helleborus was kind of a whitish-green bloom. It grew along the ground and the blossoms always pointed down. What they did was got them to start blooming out. The Helleboruses have got a bunch of cool 1 4 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

One of the best things about gardening is that it can be done in any size space, as long as the amount of space is sufficient for the plants to thrive. A garden can stretch across hundreds of acres or just one window sill. Luckily for those who don’t have acres to work with, there are dwarf varieties of many plants available. Butterfly bushes are a favorite for helping pollinators, but the original ones can grow up to 10 feet tall. The dwarf variety only grows to be two feet tall and two feet wide, making it a more feasible choice for most spaces and gardeners. Oakleaf Hydrangeas are another popular plant that’s size keeps many people from owning one. The original can grow up to eight feet tall, whereas the dwarf variety stays three-and-a-half feet tall. A plant’s size determines where it needs to be planted. Larger shrubs and viney plants like watermelons need to be planted in the ground. Gardeners can choose where to plant most other plants. Nelson says that container gardening is gaining popularity, since it takes up less space. Container gardens can be moved and rearranged more easily if the plants are not thriving in a certain spot. Potted plants can also be brought indoors during bad weather or if the gardener wants to enjoy them inside. COVID-19 has led to an increase in container gardens. “They are gaining popularity. With everyone staying inside, they want cleaner air,” said Nelson.

Pollinators

Plants cannot thrive without pollinators, so it is important for gardens to be hospitable homes for them.

Butterflies, bees and birds make a garden feel more alive with their beauty and entertainment value, too. Pollinators need more than just plants to live, though. They need water and shelter and space for nesting. For example, Monarch Caterpillars only eat milkweed. Therefore, Monarch Butterflies cannot reproduce in a garden without milkweed. Meeting pollinator needs is another reason native plants are ideal for gardening. The pollinators have eaten and lived in the native plant species for centuries. The two have evolved to be mutually beneficial and, while a nonnative plant may grow well in Georgia’s conditions, it may not make suitable food or shelter for the local pollinators. Bee and butterfly waterers are also becoming common. Insects can drown in a bird bath. One easy way to create a bee or butterfly waterer is to put some clean rocks in a shallow dish and fill it with water. The rocks should stick out of the water so the insects can stand on them and have a way to pull themselves out if they fall in. Bird lovers in particular have difficulty keeping their birds around because other animals, namely squirrels, steal birdseed from their feeders. Planting berries, sunflowers and other plants that produce food for the birds can help, but it’s still annoying to see the squirrel’s smug little cheeks making off with all of that birdseed. That’s why Nelson recommends using a birdseed that is coated in hot sauce. Mammals, like squirrels, can taste

capsaicin, the chemical that makes foods taste hot. Birds cannot taste it and it will not affect them. Some more plants that attract pollinators include: Butterflies: Butterfly bushes, coneflowers, asters, mints, zinnias Bees: Purple Coneflower, fruit trees, onions, Milkweed, holly, lemon balm, Oakleaf Hydrangeas and most common kitchen herbs Birds: Blueberry bushes, Dogwood trees, muscadines, sunflowers, cornflower, Bignonias, elderberry

How to Arrange the Plants When planting plants in the ground, consider each plant’s specific needs. It is ideal to sort plants by the amount of water and sunlight they need. For example, potting a plant that requires full sunlight with a plant that requires very little light will mean that neither plant is getting the appropriate amount of light. Some plants are monoecious, meaning the plant has both male and female flowers. Monoecious plants can produce fruit with help from the wind and pollinators. Other plants are dioecious, meaning the plant only produces either male or female flowers. Without other plants of the same kind, dioecious plants will not produce fruit. Some examples of dioecious plants are hollies and asparagus.

MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 15

her roots grow out to others in the community. One past student has started her own neighborhood Tai Chi club to engage her friends and neighbors. And that student originally came to ACCA to bring her mother to Michele’s class. Once she became eligible for Center for Active Living membership, she signed up right away, then learned all she could and took those teachings out into the community. Michele came to ACCA five years ago and 10 of those original students are still regular members of the Tai Chi community. Since then, her classes have continued to grow, welcoming a variety of students who love to “play Tai Chi” in a supportive learning community. At ACCA, we continue to pave the way for strong female leaders to help change their communities one student at a time. If you are interested in becoming a CAL member, or volunteer as an instructor, you can inquire through our website, or flip to our schedule of events on page 35.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer Spotlight Meet Michele Simpson BY ELLEN EVERITT

ichele Simpson stands in front of her class. Her teacher’s instincts, honed from 30 years of working in education, let her know exactly when to ring the bell to begin her Tai Chi session. Michele lets me know that as class begins, students will move apart from their groups where they have been trading jokes, books, recipes, “and knee cream” she adds with a grin. This is her favorite part of teaching, and why she came to ACCA as a Tai Chi instructor in the first place. Having previously taught one-off courses, she came here looking for a way to build a community and create a place where she could plant seeds for future Athenians to reap the benefits of Tai Chi. As the class warms up, Michele’s teaching shifts from creating a sense of calm and serenity and a time to massage the body, to a phase that she calls “brain tickle time.” At this point she exposes her class to complex combinations, forms, and movements. During this time, her students may temporarily feel lost or anxious, but she emphasizes that learning new movements during Tai Chi is good for our brains, much like doing a complex puzzle but far more

powerful. She tells me that nobody should leave the class feeling the same way as when they came in. Michele, who has a background in modern dance, yoga, bicycling, as well as a 30-year running career, knows a thing or two about strengthening the body and mind. Tai Chi has many mental and physical benefits, but most students think of Tai Chi as a tool to improve their balance. That said, Tai Chi will not guarantee that you will never fall, but it will improve students’ abilities to catch themselves before they hit the ground. The type of Tai Chi taught by Michele, Tai Chi Fit designed by David Dorian Ross, allows students to be creative by weaving movements into combinations and patterns that suit them and make them smile. As she stresses, there is no bad Tai Chi practice—the only “bad” is no practice. By creating a space where you can have fun while also exercising your mind and body, students are eager and excited to keep coming back to continue their lessons and build the community of peers through these classes. Michele encourages students to practice their combinations or the ones taught during class in their homes/yards or in a park or garden. They can grab a friend or neighbor and have fun socializing while their breath work enhances their sense of calm and alleviates minor aches and pains. Though many of us never get to see the fruits of the seeds we have planted, Michele has already seen

Tai Chi has many mental and physical benefits, but most students think of Tai Chi as a tool to improve their balance. In addition though, learning new movements during Tai Chi is good for our brains, much like doing a complex puzzle but far more powerful. 1 6 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

Tai Chi Instructor Michele Simpson teaching a class for ACCA

Care That Works, From a Team You Trust Northeast Georgia’s Premier Pain Specialists Call to Schedule a Consultation Today! 1500 Langford Drive, Bldg. 200 | Watkinsville GA 30677 | 706-208-0451 | www.ellispain.com MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I NAE-0003337903-01 E I 17

AGE WELL. LIVE WELL. ACCA believes you can explore your passion and make a difference at any age. Older adults make a lasting impact on our community by sharing their experience, knowledge, creativity, and heart. These stories are examples of how each of us can Age Well and Live Well.

Age Well. Live Well: Rick Dunn, Sr. BY AMY LANCASTER

ick Dunn, Sr. is the type of person that you could sit and chat with for an entire afternoon. Even by phone I knew he was a man who exudes warmth, wisdom and great character. Much like his hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rick spent his career serving others. His roles within our community focused on working with youth and his impact on them is immeasurable. Rick views his retirement as an extension of his career and continues shaping the minds and opportunities for Athens’ youth. We are so lucky to have such a remarkable man living within our community and as a supporter of ACCA. 1 8 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

Tell me a little bit about your background: I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and originally went to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, to major in journalism. At the end of my freshmen year, I interned here in Athens, Georgia, at WGTV, the public television station. At that point I was recruited from the University of Georgia (UGA) to transfer in. The college found out I was on campus and that I met the criteria to transfer in and I stayed. What was your favorite part about attending University of Georgia? I would say being on the Red & Black staff. I was the photographer so getting to go and cover the Georgia games. At that time, back in 1971, they only had 100 black students on campus and the staff at UGA – the cooks, the janitors, all the service people –

they looked out for us. They invited us to their homes for dinner, to attend their churches, they just became like an extended family. I feel indebted to the Athens community because of what they did for us. Would you say those UGA staff members became mentors to you and the others? There were certainly some that turned out to be mentors but mostly it was people in the Athens community itself who we met through the staff members. We would go to church locally and there were some ministers and retirees we had met. A gentleman by the name of Sampson Edwards became like a mentor. Did you stay in Athens after graduation? I moved to Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1976 and worked on a newspaper there for two years before coming back and working in Atlanta. At that time, we were journalists, photographers, ad salesmen, we even distributed the papers – we did everything! In 1979, I became the National Communications Officer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. I worked with Joseph Lowery and that was quite an experience. Growing up, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was my hero and to be in the building that he had been in, to sit in chairs he had sat in and to work with the people he had worked with was an awesome experience. I went back to Athens in 1982 to try and start another newspaper and I've been here ever since. I worked at the Northeast Health District running a teen pregnancy prevention program called the Male Awareness Program. In this program we were teaching young men how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. I worked at a few others including the Department of Family and Children Services and UGA before going to work for the Clarke-County School District which is where I retired from. You must have had a great impact on the lives of many young men and students throughout your career. Most of the work I’ve done and have probably enjoyed the most was working with the youth. It was so fulfilling to work with kids and help them see their potential and help them understand the importance of delayed gratification and what they risked losing out on by participating in risky behaviors.

Now that I’m older, I’ll run into them now as adults and I’ve worked with their children or grandchildren. It’s been so rewarding and I’m thankful for the opportunities. You created MEURadio-Athens that stands for Music to Educate and Uplift. Tell me about the important premise behind this. This started back when I was still with the school system about 11 years ago and we were trying to come up with ideas to address the issue of kids not graduating high school. We started a program called Education Matters and we recruited teenagers to train them in the field of broadcast journalism and produced a weekly talk show that airs on WXAG. But I didn’t think that one show gave youth enough of an opportunity to express themselves or have a voice, so we launched MEURadio-Athens. It has enabled us to work with even more kids who might be interested in broadcasting and to give them more of a voice. Our tagline is “The Official Voice of Youth” and has given these kids the opportunity to challenge and to voice their opinions on initiatives that grown-ups have put into place without ever asking the youth how they felt about them. It has given them a platform to question politicians, school board members, school superintendents and police officers. What advice would you give to the younger generation? Be receptive to learning. Use your head to

Be receptive to learning. Use your head to listen, close your mouth long enough to take it all in and don’t be argumentative. But at the same time, for older people there is a lot we can learn from youth. Learning is a two-way street. MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 19

The Athens Community Council on Aging's Center for Active Living (CAL) is a community wellness center dedicated to keeping older adults active, independent and thriving. We offer unique learning opportunities and a variety of social, cultural, recreational and health-related classes tailored to adults over 55.

Now offering virtual and limited in-person classes. Join us for virtual yoga, line dancing, travel, cooking classes and much more! To view our full calendar of virtual and limited in-person classes, visit www.accaging.org (706) 549-4850

listen, close your mouth long enough to take it all in and don’t be argumentative. But at the same time, for older people there is a lot we can learn from youth. Learning is a two-way street. When I was younger and working in health education, I would tell my students that I was going to learn as much from them as they would learn from me. When you have that level of respect and expectation it flows a lot better. There used to be a saying “the more you learn the more you earn” but it really is the more you learn, the more opportunities you open for yourself the more knowledge you have. Being well-rounded and being educated is so powerful. How did you become involved with ACCA? My grandmother used to go to the Adult Day Health program, so that is the first time I experienced ACCA. My grandmother lived to be 105 years old. When our Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity set up a foundation where chapters could give grant money to do community projects, I thought that would be a good partnership between our local alumni chapter and ACCA. It has worked out well. We have so enjoyed the opportunity to serve their clients and put the word out that you exist and help with the issues seniors face like social isolation and food insecurity. What inspires you and keeps you motivated in retirement? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was my hero and one of my favorite speeches of his was the drum major

for justice speech where he talks about service and we are here to serve. So, as long as God gives me the breath, the energy and health to do so, I’m supposed to serve. We are in a time now where the news can be so depressing to watch. Whereas the smiles you see on people’s faces when you help them, or when kids finally catch on to something you’ve been trying to teach them and see them get excited about their accomplishments, that is so rewarding. And you’re not doing it to get rewarded or have people sing your praises, you’re just doing it because that’s what you should be doing. We should all be helping each other. We should intentionally be putting smiles on everyone’s faces. How do you age and live well? I think hanging out with kids keeps me young! I have to stay in tune with some of the language! I’ve been on Twitter and Instagram but haven’t been bold enough to get on TikTok yet! I have a chronic medical condition where my body stays in pain and it gets stiff. Staying active helps so I go to the YWCO for arthritis classes, I go swimming and I walk. I do all those things necessary to keep my body in motion. The more I move the better off I am.

TOGETHER,

WE DELIVER! EACH YEAR, THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MARCH IS DESIGNATED AS MARCH FOR MEALS!

THIS YEAR, IN RESPONSE TO THE OVERWHELMING NEED CREATED BY THE PANDEMIC, WE DELIVERED MORE THAN EVER!

Sponsored nationally by Meals on Wheels America and locally by the Athens Community Council on Aging, the month is celebrated with a variety of opportunities to learn more about our efforts at filling the plates of food insecure older adults in our community.

JOIN US FOR ACCA’S 11TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR MEALS VIRTUAL 5K MARCH 21ST-MARCH 27TH

Since March 2020,

ACCA provided

246.8 TONS of

ACCA has

ACCA has served

food to 7,687

food were

provided over

293,500 meals to

individuals making

distributed by

10,200 safety

residents

sure no senior or

ACCA in the past

checks with the

throughout

community

year.

number steadily

Northeast Georgia.

member went

increasing each

hungry in 2020.

day!

To register for the 5K and learn more, please visit

TOO MANY SENIORS IN GEORGIA ARE LEFT

https://www.accaging.org/events-fundraisers-2/

BEHIND, ALONE AND HUNGRY, STRUGGLING TO STAY INDEPENDENT AND HEALTHY

In Athens, 1 in 5 seniors struggle with hunger.

2 0 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 21

A Short Meditation BY JOSH HUSSEY, CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING YOGA INSTRUCTOR

ake a moment to create a space in which you will meditate. You may be in your home or out and about. In either case, it can be helpful to make your space your own, to make it a little special, just a little sacred to you. If you’re home, consider devoting a small area to your practice — a place you can return to whenever you like. Practicing consistently in this space will help grow good vibrations, and you may find it easier to meditate in this spot, removed from the regular 2 2 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

traffic of your home. If you’re out and about, try to settle into that space by observing the objects that surround you and gently incorporating those in your experience. Settle into an appropriate position for your body, perhaps on a cushion or a chair. Use your awareness to organize the architecture of your body. It can be helpful to elevate the hips and bring a slight forward tilt to the pelvis to bring a bit more buoyancy to the torso and ribs. With an integrity to your seated position, close the eyes or take a soft gaze on the floor in front of you. Now, turn all your attention to your breath. While there are many different methods of meditation that work with the breath, for this short practice, we’ll

focus on the tip of the nose — the entrance of the nostrils, above the upper lip. All breath should pass through the nose in this method. If that becomes challenging to sustain, try to pay attention to the rise and fall of the torso or the expansion and contraction of the abdomen, still breathing through the nose and keeping the mouth gently closed. Or, you can focus your entire attention on the tip of the nose and become aware of the distinction between your inhalations and exhalations. Breathing in with awareness, suggest to yourself, “I am breathing in”; breathing out with awareness, suggest to yourself, “I am breathing out.” Establish this distinction and then work to watch the entire length of the inhalations and exhalations. When you are unsuccessful and the mind flutters away, accept that situation as the nature of the mind, and gently invite it back to your in-breaths and out-breaths. Notice also the pauses between the breaths, the turns as the breath transforms into the next stage. As you breathe in and out, start to lengthen your inhales and exhales, perhaps taking very small pauses in between the stages. You might count: inhale for 1…2…3…4, pause, exhale 1…2…3…4. You can repeat this pattern to yourself for as long as you like or dismiss all counting and simply work with a steady rhythm of deep breathing. When it is time to move on to your next task, see if you can bring your awareness of breath with you as you transition to that task. Since breathing is something we do our entire lives, it is a true companion and a portable friend. We can return to our breath at any time, whatever we are doing. Working with it consistently over time, we can calm the surface layers of the mind and help to establish a more concentrated experience of the present moment. With loving kindness for all beings, may you be safe, happy, and peaceful.

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To enjoy a recording of this meditation, visit the Center for Active Living/ACCA YouTube Channel at https://bit.ly/3rfG0uv MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 23

Growing Seeds for the Future

he last year has been one for the books. While things are much different and changing daily, one thing has remained the same at ACCA: our wonderful interns are here and ready to help! Below is a quick tell all about their experiences at ACCA. From being the very first class to participate in a completely virtual internship to the growth they have seen in themselves over the past seven months, we feel so very fortunate to have them interning with us this year!

Kim

The start of my ACCA internship coincided with my 40th birthday. I had been working with older adults and caregivers since 2004, but the COVID pandemic disrupted much of what I had learned. It forced me to find new ways of building relationships, delivering services, and ensuring that every older adult and caregiver had access to support during these challenging times. This has been a transformative experience and I’m constantly inspired by the collective creativity and resilience of the ACCA family. Society at large often conflates advanced age with being helpless. As COVID continues to wreak havoc on our country, we have all felt a little helpless at times. But interacting with older adults each week through my internship has turned that narrative on its head. These individuals -- ages 60 to 90+ -- are providing mutual aid to people in their community, checking in on their friends from ACCA’s senior center, and sharing their time and talents to ensure that we all get through this together. The most rewarding part of my internship has been learning from them. In May 2021 I will graduate with a Master of Social and a Master of Public Health degree. Although my name will be on my diplomas, the people I have connected with through ACCA deserve a space on them, too. When I re-enter the workforce, I will carry these experiences with me to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and meaningful life for as long as they live.

Zac

As a Meals on Wheels Intern at ACCA, it has been interesting doing a virtual internship in the middle of a global pandemic when so many lives have been uprooted, especially when it involves assisting people in insuring their basic needs. Communication and connection are an integral part of the human experience, so the need to combat social isolation among older adults has become more important than ever for the work we do at ACCA. My favorite moments and highlights from this internship have been the simple ones: a weekly conversation/safety check with an individual who hasn’t seen family/friends in months or a wave from six feet away on a meal delivery. To see and hear the joy and comfort in those simple moments from the people we serve reminds me of the hope that we have even in such a dark time. I have learned to communicate better across all avenues, to allow myself to be flexible in the most extraneous circumstances, and to always remember that sometimes the most important work can be in the small things. 2 4 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

Ellen

As I stepped into my senior year amidst a pandemic, I wasn’t sure how the year would play out nor how my academics would be affected. One thing I did look forward to was my field placement at the ACCA. Eventually, I found out that my internship would take place online. I was a little disappointed at first because I felt I wouldn’t get the full experience or that I’d miss out on key learning experiences. I decided to overlook this and maintain a positive attitude and make sure I made the best out of the situation. As I began working with the Center for Active Living (CAL) program, I wasn’t sure what I would be doing or how I could integrate myself with the team and our clients. Luckily for me, the CAL team welcomed me with open arms and showed me an abundant amount of support when I didn’t quite have a grasp on things. With time I’ve grown confident in what I was doing and eager to find more ways to connect with our clients. Despite only communicating with clients over the phone or the occasional Zoom call when we could overcome technological difficulties, I was able to get to know wonderful people and form a special bond. It makes me smile when I hear clients asking about me when I don’t make my usual morning calls because I know I’ve made an impression on them. The ACCA has helped me learn how to work through unprecedented times and guide myself through obstacles you usually don’t see every day. My time at the agency has turned out to be more of a learning experience than I expected and a great first exposure to a future in a career working with older adults.

Richelle

I remember last April when I first learned my field placement in the Fall would be at the Athens Community Council on Aging, I was so ecstatic to be interning at my field of choice. Ironically, at the same time, my mom began creating her first garden back home. As I adapted into my position with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program by navigating the OneDrive, building rapport with clients through Google Voice, and listening to informative support groups all while remote due to the COVID pandemic, my mom would tell me about the zucchini, eggplants and abundance of flowers that were growing in parallel. In November I led my first virtual support group on time management, and it was a complete success with one client even asking for my PowerPoint slides afterwards. I couldn’t help but think how far I’d come, how much I’d learned, how there was a symbolic garden growing in my head full of resources and new knowledge that could be represented by the one found at home. While I was initially sad and nervous that I would be missing out on the experience of working in the office and directly with the clients, it only made grocery deliveries, Turkeypalooza and Be a Santa to a Senior all the more special when I got glimpses of the work I was doing behind the scenes play out perfectly. As I finish up my last semester at the ACCA, I think back to my mom’s garden. It will be in full bloom by the time I graduate from this internship, and I hope through the guidance of this experience, I will be able to enjoy the harvest of my efforts in a future career. MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 25

Travel-inspired Eating BY PAIGE POWELL

pring is right around the corner and we are gearing up for several wonderful [virtual] trips. From the gardens of Georgia to New Zealand, Slovenia and the British Virgin Islands, we have so much to look forward to as we travel together. Along the way, let’s stop and enjoy a few locally favorite New Zealand dishes that will not only inspire the mind, but also delight the palate.

Fish and Chips

Fresh, delectable and scrumptious, New Zealand is home to some amazing seafood, with fish and chips being a favorite among Kiwis. INGREDIENTS 1 pound Russet potatoes, scrubbed (peeled if you like) 1 pound white fish fillets (boneless, skinless) Frying oil, about 4 cups (grapeseed, peanut, canola) Batter: 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper ½ teaspoon dill weed (optional) Dash cayenne pepper (optional) 1 cup cold club soda 2 ice cubes For serving: malt vinegar, lemon wedges, tartar sauce DIRECTIONS Cut the potatoes lengthwise into slices about 1/3” thick by 1” wide. Soak in a bowl of cold water for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. Cut the fish into portions about 1” by 4-6” long and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk the dry batter ingredients together, then stir in soda quickly. Drop in two ice cubes. Heat the oil to 320-300º F.

Drain the potatoes and dry well on a clean towel. Drop potatoes into the oil a cup at a time and fry about 2 minutes, until the bubbling has mostly subsided. Remove with tongs to paper to drain. Heat the oil up to 365º F now. Give the batter a stir and dip each piece of fish in to coat, then carefully move into the hot oil. Cook only 3-4 pieces at a time to keep the oil temperature from dropping too much, which results in grease-soaked crust. Fry 2-3 minutes or until fish is floating and batter is golden brown. Drain on paper. Make sure the oil is still around 365-375º and drop the potatoes back in for a minute, or until brown and crispy. Sprinkle with salt and serve. (Recipe source: Hilah Cooking)

New Zealand Pavlova

Onion Dip

While it’s still just March, we’re dreaming of summertime and warmer weather. In New Zealand, Pavlova is the quintessential summer dessert.

As we venture through New Zealand, we invite you to try another favorite dish: Onion Dip! It’s a classic and is perfect with sliced veggies or your favorite potato chips! INGREDIENTS 1 can reduced cream (Nestlé Extra Thick Cream is a good substitute) 1 sachet onion soup 1 teaspoon vinegar DIRECTIONS Put the cream in a bowl and stir in the onion soup mix and vinegar. Place in the refrigerator for about an hour or until it is thick and cold.

INGREDIENTS 4 egg whites 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup superfine sugar (caster sugar, berry sugar, or regular sugar blitzed in a food processor until crystals are half their size) 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup fruit, sliced (kiwifruit, berries, peaches, etc.) 1½ cups lightly sweetened whipped cream (just add sugar to it, to taste) (Photo and recipe source: NZ Pocket Guide)

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400°F Line a shallow baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large dry bowl, sprinkle cream of tartar over egg whites and beat until stiff. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Add the mixture to the egg whites a tablespoon at a time, while beating on medium speed, until all ingredients are combined. The meringue should be shiny, white, and stiff. Fold in vanilla extract. Reduce oven heat to 200°F Mound the meringue on the baking sheet in a round shape about 6 inches in diameter. Bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven, leaving meringue in the oven until it is cold or overnight. Top with whipped cream and arrange fruit over top. Use a serrated knife to gently saw slices. It is best to eat when first made but you can store leftovers in a covered container.

Did you try one of our recipes? Let us know! Send a photo to Paige Powell at ppowell@accaging.org for your recipe to be featured on our social media pages. We’d love to share your masterpiece!

(Photo and recipe source: Food.com) 2 6 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 27

AGING... EVERYBODY’S DOING IT 1

6 7

1 Over 2,500 gifts were given to more than 670 senior and 79 children

being raised by their grandparents in December. We could NOT have done this without you! Thank you to those who adopted and supported our seniors and grandfamilies this past holiday season! We appreciate your kind notes, generous hearts and every single ounce of love you shared with our families and ACCA.

years. From a Lunch and Learn with the Alzheimer’s Association, a Fraud and Scam seminar with local police and the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force to a Holiday Dance Showcase last year, they have been great supporters and have become wonderful friends. We appreciate their continued support in helping our clients age and live well!

2 We love when our friends from Give Back Real Estate stop by! Jared

6 Thank you, Hughes Subaru, for your continued year-round support! Pictured here are Roy Felts, Joey Floyd and Chuck Armstrong with a Be a Santa to a Senior tree hosted by the dealership.

3 Thank you to the families and neighbors of Riverbend at Bear Creek

7 Big time supporters and longtime donors, we are thrilled to thank Classic City of Athens Rotary Club for their generous donation to the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren holiday gift drive this past December!

Marsden stopped by with a donation to ACCA’s Meals on Wheels program. Thank you, Jared!

for your donation to ACCA! ACCA’s very own Meals on Wheels volunteer Janice Ludwig organized this wonderful food drive, and we are so very thrilled to have their support. Thank you to all who donated!

4 15-year-old Ovie Roling from Oconee County loves helping others

and wanted to give back to the community this holiday season by creating care packages for local seniors. These beautiful bags and baskets were given to ACCA’s Winder Adult Day Health Center. Thank you Ovie for the donation!

5 The Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity has partnered with the Center for Active Living for several events over the past few 2 8 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

8 Thank you, Synovus, for your generous donation and support to our Grandparents Raising Grandchildren’s holiday gift drive! 9 Thank you, Northeast Georgia RESA, for your support and recent donation to ACCA! Not able to have a holiday party, staff members joined together and donated to ACCA to show their support.

9 MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 29

VIRTUAL TRIPS

Travel Inspiration for 2021 BY NIKAELA FREDERICK

Garden Tourism in Georgia

eorgia is the state of the Cherokee Rose, and when it comes to gardens, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Callaway Resort and Gardens and Gibbs Gardens are usually top of the list. It’s easy to forget that each region of the state offers its own variety of natural beauty. Starting in our backyard, most Athenians probably know about the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia replete with a stunning range of collections, displays and trails. But, did you know that there are new additions in the works? In 2020, the Garden debuted a new entranceway complete with a bridge, walkway and elevator to make the garden more accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. New for 2021, the Garden 3 0 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

welcomes several new additions. The Center for Arts and Nature will feature a museum and garden to help visitors explore the relationship between art and nature. The Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum will be a state-of-

the-art facility featuring a variety of porcelain pieces and decorative artifacts from around the world in permanent and temporary exhibits. And finally, the Discovery and Inspiration Garden will surround the museum with narrow plant beds of native plants at eye level for an up-close look. Check out their website for more at botgarden.uga.edu Heading north from Athens, about an hour away, is the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Gainesville location. Established in 2015, this quaint destination makes for a great day trip. Highlights include the Woodland Promenade, which displays a colorful palette of annual plantings, Forest Pond, which features ornamental aquatic plants, and Stream Garden in which visitors can dissolve their worries in the sounds of a nearby brook. To the south of Athens, about an hour and a half away, sits Lockery Arboretum in Milledgeville. The Arboretum provides plant lovers of all ages a serene setting for learning about horticulture, nature, and heritage. The 50-acre property boasts flowering shrubs like camellias and azaleas, wildflowers, a variety of trees such as oaks and magnolias, walking trails, and greenhouses along with a Greek Revival Style mansion, called Rose Hill, that dates back to 1852. If you are up for a two-hour drive northwest of Athens, Smith-Gilbert Gardens near Kennesaw Mountain is a 17-acre botanical, artistic and historical treasure. While the garden is not currently accommodating large group tours, small private groups can enjoy a 90-minute tour learning about 3,000+ species of plants, the contemporary sculptures placed throughout the garden, and a unique bonsai display. On the historical end, the tour also includes a stop by the certified National Registrar of Historic Places Hiram Butler House (ca. 1881), an example of a mid-19th century, Georgianplan upper middle class farming home.

On the opposite side of Atlanta in Newnan (also a two-hour drive from Athens), you’ll find a real-life “secret garden” at Dunaway Gardens. This one-of-a-kind rock and floral garden offers year-round, fairytale-like enchantment. Walt Disney himself is among the list of colorful visitors who have relished in the picturesque surroundings of Dunaway. Spring-fed pools, stone waterfalls, extensive hand-laid rock paths, walls, staircases, and a vintage amphitheater sprawled over 25 acres add to the allure of the garden. After a tour, patrons can enjoy a batch of local, organic tea grown on the Dunaway grounds. Cherokee roses and much, much more await you at some of Georgia’s lesser-known botanical treasures. For a comprehensive list of Georgia’s gardens, visit exploregeorgia.org

Under-the-Radar Travel Hotspots

opular destinations like France and Spain will forever draw crowds, but now that social distancing is a consideration, travelers are starting to think outside of the box when it comes to deciding where to go. According to some of today’s leading travel experts, there are a few under-the-radar destinations that are growing in popularity. New Zealand, the filming location for the popular Lord of the Rings trilogy (aka the home of “Middle-Earth”), has received a lot of positive press as of late for its handling of the Coronavirus. The country is a rich blend of cultures, combined with geologically fascinating landscapes, flora and fauna. New Zealand offers a little bit of everything from glaciers to beaches, whale-watching to hot spring mud baths to what local chefs call Kiwi Pacific Rim cuisine. The culinary scene reflects the diversity of its MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 31

Volunteer Opportunities What can you do with an hour of free time? Volunteer with us!

Meals On Wheels Volunteers

Our drivers deliver bags of food and frozen, prepared meals to vulnerable residents of our community every day of the week at 11am and 1pm. This includes older adults and people with disabilities who are homebound and unable to leave their homes due to health, mobility or transportation issues, are at an increased risk for COVID-19 and need to avoid the grocery store and are unable to utilize on-line delivery and other methods, and/or those who might not be able to afford essential groceries at the moment.

population—Polynesian, Asian, European and traditional indigenous New Zealand Maori influences paired with unique native herbs and spices. Comprised of two unique islands, including 14 national parks, opportunities for world-famous extreme sport activities, thermal pools with scenic backdrops, and rolling hills of vineyards, New Zealand is ripe for exploration for adventurers at heart. Nestled among Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia is a country where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain. Featuring the best of traditional European attractions, with castles, charming towns, and sustainable local cuisine, Slovenia offers delights at every turn. The country’s most visited 3 2 I CO N N E C T I ON S / W HAT ’S NEX T MAGAZINE I MARCH 2021

attraction is Postojna Cave, which features a train that takes patrons through an underground network of brilliant cave formations, soaring mountains, and subterranean halls, including the largest cave castle in the world, Predjama Castle. It is also home to some of Europe’s most affordable ski resorts and one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Bled. On top of that, Slovenia is one of the Top 5 most environmentally friendly nations, priding itself on leaving a small carbon footprint. Slovenia also ranks number 7 out of 163 on the World Peace Index. On the heels of rebuilding after Hurricane Irma, the British Virgin Islands were poised to start welcoming tourists back to the country when COVID-19 hit. Within its four large islands there are more than 50 smaller isles with secluded beaches, unspoiled natural wonders, new and improved resorts, endless recreational activities and friendly locals. No matter where you drop anchor in this Caribbean paradise, each destination offers its own character and magic.

For more travel recommendations, check out Forbes Magazine’s 20 Best Places to Travel in 2021 list. In the meantime, armchair travelers can join us on virtual trips to these three lesser-known destinations this Spring. See the CAL catalogue for details.

RSVP Makers Club

Calling all makers! ACCA is looking for crafters, artists, sewers, and more to help make activity blankets for our clients with dementia and other neurological conditions. These blankets have things like zippers, buttons, and other items to produce tactical stimulus. This opportunity is with our Retired Senior Volunteer Program, so all you need to qualify is to be 55+ years of age. We will provide easy to follow instructions on how to create these blankets, so all we need now are your skills to help us put them together!

The ACCA Shop

Are you a handyman who is 55+? The Retired Senior Volunteer Program is now hosting The ACCA Shop, a men’s home repair group. Men from across the Athens area will be able to come and find fellowship through providing small DIY improvements to client’s homes, as well as learning new skills and trades from other members. If you have a knack for creating a dove-tail joint or know how to unclog a J-bend like a pro, this is the group for you!

To get started, or for more information, please visit our website www.accaging.org, email eeveritt@accaging.org or call Ellen Everitt at (706) 549-4850. MARCH 2021 I CO N N E C T I O N S / W H AT ’S N E X T M AG A Z I N E I 33

To RSVP for all webinars and classes, please contact nfrederick@accaging.org or call the CAL office at 706-549-4850. Access links are also available in our bi-weekly e-newsletter. For pre-recorded classes, visit the Center for Active Living-ACCA YouTube channel. Classes are subject to change or cancellation. We continue to offer both virtual and limited in-person classes that follow safety precautions and procedures. VIRTUAL FITNESS AND MOVEMENT CLASSES All Levels Flow Yoga with Josh

The Center for Active Living (CAL) is a multi-purpose center offering older adults in Athens and surrounding communities opportunities to stay active and engaged. CAL provides unique social, educational, and wellness related classes and activities, group trips, and supportive services.

For membership information or to register for trips and classes, contact Nikaela Frederick, CAL Wellness Coordinator, at (706) 549-4850 or nfrederick@accaging.org. CEN T E R FOR AC T I V E L I V I N G

virtual fitness and movement classes