Connections, Winter 2023

Bertis Downs on Aging and Living

Well

Historic White House Hunger Conference

Dear Connections Reader, January brings a time of resolutions and “new year, new me” mindsets. We create different habits, update our lifestyles and pay more attention to health.

Many times our resolutions are focused on fitnesswe vow to ban fast food or work out every day. At ACCA, we care holistically. We believe that being healthy is connected to our mental, social, nutritional, emotional and financial well-being.

And, so, this issue is all about health. Our goal is to help older adults in our community age well and live well. In these pages, you’ll discover what it means to be resilient, learn six new wellness skills, find accessible walking trails near you, get the inside scoop on aging and living well from former R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs – and so much more.

As we age, it is important to look for resources that help us take care of ourselves and protect our health. These resources can be as simple as learning what research the White House recently released about nutrition or finding apps that make everyday tasks more convenientboth resources can be found in this issue of Connections!

We also want to hear from you and will be featuring your answers in our next issue. So, take a minute and let us know: What was a New Year’s resolution that actually stuck? Send your answer to community@accaging.org or message us on social media and your answer will be featured in our spring issue!

Happy reading!

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.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS:

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 contact Anita Aubrey at connectionsadvertising2022@gmail.com or call 706.549.4850.

Eve Anthony

ACCA Helps Keep Athens Warm

This past fall, ACCA set a goal to collect 100 items to help the older adults in our community stay warm in their homes this winter. With the help of Hughes Subaru, we doubled our goal by collecting over 200 socks, hats, and blankets. Thank you to everyone who helped Keep Athens Warm this winter!

ACCA Goes to PrideFest

Did you know LGBTQ seniors are 60% more likely to experience food insecurity than their nonLGBTQ peers?

At ACCA, we embrace diversity and look for opportunities to teach others about our programs and services. We had so much fun doing just that at last year’s PrideFest 2022 hosted by Athens PRIDE.

Mickey Yongue Honors Her Mother

in a Unique Way

Mickey Yongue recently lost her mother, a woman who was well-loved within our community. To celebrate her life,

Mickey’s family hosted an estate sale in which the proceeds would be distributed to organizations her mother was most passionate about. ACCA was blown away to learn that they raised over $1,500 in support of Will’s Pet Pantry. Thank you to Mickey and her family for such a generous donation!

White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health

It’s been more than 50 years since the frst, and only, White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. On September 30th, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration presented a transformational vision for ending hunger and reducing diet-related disease by 2030.

ACCA Welcomes 4 New Board Members

In October, ACCA welcomed 4 new board members to our team! Thank you to Elaine Cooke, Jonathan Hogan, Dr. Lisa Renzi-Hammond, and Michael Seibert for being a part of our ACCA family! We are so excited to have you on board.

Kudzu, Trees, and Mulch, Oh My!

Last fall, ACCA participated in UGA’s Dawg Day of Service and United Way of Northeast Georgia’s Day of Caring. They helped us keep our campus looking beautiful

by painting benches, removing Kudzu, laying mulch, and cutting trees! Thank you so much to our UGA Dawg Day of Service and United Way of Northeast Georgia volunteers!

Medicare Open Enrollment

Did you know ACCA has free and unbiased Medicare counseling? As the Fall Open Enrollment period began, our Georgia State Health Insurance Program volunteers were hard at work helping older adults navigate the maze also known as Medicare. We are so grateful to have such a dedicated group of expert volunteers. Thank you!

territory and will be extended to every route Saturdays and Sundays from 6:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

TurkeyPalooza Time!

Last year, ACCA teamed up with Campus Kitchen at UGA and Epting Events to raise $25,000 which was used to provide over 1,400 meals to local seniors and their families and fund our entire year’s senior hunger initiatives. We are so grateful to have such a supportive community that helped us reach our goal!

ACCA Loves Pets

Celebrating Another Fabulous Year

On October 24th, ACCA staf and board members came together to celebrate another wonderful year of growth and transformation during our 2022 Annual Meeting. We are so lucky to have such a great team.

ACC Transportation Teams Up with Uber

Transportation continues to be a large need for our local older adults. While ACCA ofers transportation services, Athens Clarke County and Uber have teamed up to ofer free on-demand transportation. Beginning January 24th, this new service will be provided all week long within Route 30’s newly expanded

ACCA staf love to have fun in the ofce! Whether it’s dancing, sharing daily jokes, or meeting new faces, we know every day will be a new adventure. Amid the chaos the holiday season brings, one staf member brought her dog, Bruno, to work. While in the ofce, Bruno took his job of playing with his toy monkey and greeting everyone he saw very seriously.

Bringing Holiday Joy To Local Seniors

We celebrated our 18th annual Be a Santa to a Senior program this December. Thank you to everyone who adopted a senior, hosted an ornament or collection sites, and joined us for our Wrapping Party. This year, we were able to provide thousands of gifts and precious memories for 800+ seniors in our community. We could not have done it without the help of all who donated and volunteered!

Historic

By Heather Loveridge

Nutrition and hunger — two things that afect every single one of us. So when the White House announced that, for the frst time in 50 years, they would again host the White House Hunger and Nutrition Conference, it created quite the buzz.

The last conference occurred in 1969 and resulted in more than 1,800 policy recommendations to reduce hunger and promote nutrition and health. But 50 years is a long time and much has happened since then.

“It was very, very exciting to have so many political leaders focused on one topic, talking to the group,” said Patti Lyons, board chair of Meals on Wheels America and president of Senior Citizens, Inc. “Early in the conference, President Biden said that ensuring our seniors have good nutrition is paramount, which I was really pleased to hear.

“Food is so critical to our health, which seems so basic. But there is now recognition, and research, to prove that proper nutrition results in fewer hospitalizations and fewer rehospitalizations.

“In fact, I attended one session that discussed giving doctors the authority to prescribe healthy food. It is proven that what you eat will afect how you rebound from a disease or an injury. And there were several other presentations about how food literally is more powerful than medication and that many doctors are not taught the power of nutrition.

“One of the recommendations from the White House is that medical schools begin teaching new physicians to recognize the power of healthy food.”

According to Temitope Walker (pictured above right), Senior Hunger Nutrition Coordinator at the Georgia Department of

Human Services’ Division of Aging Services, the conference put a spotlight on a problem that was present prior to the pandemic but lacked the proper support in legislation, funding and human resources.

“The root causes of senior hunger most often aren’t directly tied to access to food,” Walker said. “So many factors infuence why a senior is at risk of hunger. Many seniors are not aware of the resources they have access to. This includes public assistance in the areas of fnancial resources, health coverage support, and, yes, meals. The saying is cliché but it speaks volumes, ‘knowledge is power.’ Leveraging greater access to the resources available is the frst step in helping bridge access gaps for many seniors who are in need.

“The conference also highlighted older adults among other groups as a block who are disproportionately impacted by hunger and diet-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.”

The ofcial White House Strategy released after the conference provided more details on the topic:

• Diet-related diseases are some of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.

• New data show that 19 states and two territories have an obesity prevalence at or above 35%, more than double the number of states from 2018.

• 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes.

• 1 in 3 people will have cancer in their lifetime.

• And, more than 4 in 10 Americans have hypertension (high blood pressure), which is linked to the leading causes of death for Americans: heart disease and stroke.

According to the White House, the toll of hunger and diet-related diseases is not distributed equally; these challenges disproportionately impact communities of color, people living in rural areas, people living in territories, people with disabilities, older adults, LGBTQI+ people, military families and Veterans.

For both Lyons and Walker, the amount of discussion around senior hunger and nutrition and the amount of people dedicated to providing solutions was encouraging.

“One of the things I’ve learned since joining my organization is that the voice of one person CAN make a diference and that our politicians do listen, and they are moved by the success stories we tell,” Lyons said. “We just have to keep telling those stories. In fact, we have a client whose doctor told her ‘We’re just gonna send you home to die. There’s nothing more we can do.’ And 14 years later, she’s still a Meals on Wheels client and is our champion. That is the power of nutrition, but it’s also the power of caring. And, to me, that’s what makes organizations like the Athens Community Council on Aging and all the Meals on Wheels programs so powerful because we are more than the meal.

“It was wonderful to see all the people at the conference who were committed to making sure that needed hunger and nutrition initiatives happened.”

Walker experienced the same level of commitment.

“I was excited to see that the published national strategy on hunger, nutrition and health was a component of the conference [and that it] included support for more funding for the Older Americans Act which includes the Nutrition Program whose directive includes reducing hunger, food

“Leveraging greater access to the resources available is the first step in helping bridge access gaps for many seniors who are in need.”

insecurity, and malnutrition while promoting health and wellness,” she said. “There was also an announcement of $8 billion promised from organizations across the nation to support the work.

“There are many people working to address hunger and access to food in a number of traditional and novel ways. There is a signifcant interest in promoting partnerships across sectors from government, private companies, and community organizations. There is plenty of room at the table, and the time is now to take a seat and get to work.

“I am looking forward to seeing how the national strategy will be implemented and the follow through of the organizations that have committed funding and time to the efort. Older Georgians should certainly be a key benefciary of these coming initiatives.”

On a local level, the timing of the conference couldn’t have been more perfect.

“We have met the recommendations of Georgia’s frst state plan to address senior hunger,” Walker said. “We are looking forward to having listening sessions and stakeholder meetings in early 2023 for the development of the next state plan to address senior hunger. We will have sessions across the

state of Georgia, and we want to hear from you.

“The time is now to let your voice be heard. Please engage with your local senior hunger coalition, like the Athens Community Council on Aging, to get connected and get involved in the work happening in your area to address senior hunger.”

Get Involved

Learn more about senior hunger through the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services

View the White House National Strategy

Visit ACCA’s Athens Senior Hunger Coalition

Age Well. Live Well.

By Carlie Russell McMann

You may know him as the manager of local rock legends, R.E.M., but Bertis Downs is also a missionary kid, professor, lawyer and father. Here’s his inside perspective on family, fame and fnding what’s truly important in life - his basics for aging and living well.

What was your early life like?

My early life was turbulent. I was born in West Virginia as the son of a Presbyterian minister who later became a missionary. So, when I was fve, our family moved to Taiwan for my parents to begin their service in the mission feld. We were there for only three years, though, because my dad died in a plane crash. So, that’s where the turbulence was, and of course to this day, it still afects me.

My father died just short of my eighth birthday. He was a great guy, and I share his name. After he died, we went back to the states to Richmond, Virginia because that’s where my parents met and where he had gone to seminary.

After two years there, we returned to the mission feld in Taiwan. My mom was still trying to fgure out who she was without my dad and missions was what she knew. We only stayed for a year, though. Being a missionary and a single mom was just too much for her. So, we moved back to America when I was in ffth grade and settled long-term in Clarkston, Georgia.

I stayed in suburban Clarkston until I went to college. My mom was wise and connected me to a big brother, a mentor,

when we moved back to Clarkston. When it was time for me to consider college, he encouraged me to go to Davidson. That college became very important to me because I knew that my dad had gone there, and it was important to me to feel a connection with him through Davidson. That connection continues through the present.

What was life like after college?

After college, I decided to go to law school because I had done some work in criminal justice, working in a low-security prison and a jail during my college days. I got really interested in the issue of equal justice, issues of race and inequality –various related studies that these days would be termed social justice. I wanted to do my part to make society more equal and to help people have a shot regardless of what circumstances they were born into.

When I fnished law school, I had zero prospects in the social justice feld. It was 1981. That was the frst year of the Ronald Reagan administration, and he had gone into ofce pledging to essentially dismantle all “wasteful” government programs like welfare and legal aid. So all the letters and resumes I sent out came back with nice rejection letters because they were in a hiring freeze.

I was very lucky though because UGA, where I had graduated from law school, ofered me a job teaching a frst year class – Research and Writing. That job enabled me to pay rent while I did this little side hobby, helping out a small band

that became R.E.M. I knew two of the members before they formed R.E.M. As a young lawyer, I started helping them out as a volunteer. Within a few years this fun and fulflling hobby had become a real job. I kept teaching when I could for another 20 to 25 years at UGA because I really loved it and believed in many of the people and the clinical programs there.

Right when the band was starting to get big, between 1983 and 84, I took a one-year break from R.E.M. I had been ofered a clerkship in Washington, D.C. to work for a federal judge. For a law school graduate, this was an opportunity I could not pass up. But, I really struggled with the decision to go. R.E.M.’s album had just been named best album of the year by Rolling Stone magazine, and we were just starting to get some traction. I really didn’t know if I should go, but I decided to take a break from the band for that year and go to D.C. And that’s when I met my wife Katherine, a Georgian also working in D.C.

After that year, I moved back to Georgia and by then, R.E.M. had an ofce and a small staf working downtown. I went in every day to teach my classes at UGA Law and then spent my downtime representing R.E.M. and helping them build their business as a band who was very busy writing, recording and touring.

What are some highlights of your career?

In order, my favorite parts of the job were the planning, doing and fnishing tours. Planning tours was my favorite because you are literally sitting

there for hours, sometimes days, with a map and an agent. You know, or fgure out, what the band wants to do, and you have to channel that into factors of time, economics, geography, how far buses and trucks can drive safely, border crossings, etc. It was a lot of logistics and collaboration, and all that ft my skill set. At the end of the day, a successful tour is also proftable, and we’d be able to pay the bills for the next couple of years based on each tour.

Doing the tours was also really fun, but they typically had some emergencies where I had to earn my keep. Finishing a tour was great because it was a huge relief to be done, and that’s when I was able to get back into teaching. At that point in my career, I had switched over to teaching entertainment law, and I really loved it. I was able to use the knowledge I’d gained from representing R.E.M. to introduce my students to the basics of entertainment law and business. Teaching at UGA Law was a signifcant part of my early and middle professional career; and I have been fortunate to know and enjoy the company of so many lawyers all over Georgia and beyond in the years that have ensued.

Working with other artists and doing beneft concerts was also always a highlight for me,

especially when we got to play with Neil Young at The Bridge School. All of the kids from The Bridge School are also on stage with the guest artists and having them there really afects how the artists play and experience the moment. The year R.E.M. played, I asked Neil’s manager to let us do one R.E.M. song with Neil and one Neil song with R.E.M. Obviously that was a highlight. (The songs were Ambulance Blues and Country Feedback, and they’re both pretty stellar, and like most everything else, available on YouTube!)

Another highlight was the Vote for Change Tour in 2004, which was about ten days in October during the run-up to the election. Instead of having one big concert for each swing state, there were several smaller concerts all across the state on the same night. So, Pearl Jam was out, Dave Matthews was out, Dixie Chicks was out and Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M. were out — together.

Our guys got to play with Bruce for the entire tour, and one night in Minneapolis, Neil Young joined in for the encore. So that was Neil, Bruce and R.E.M. all playing together. Whenever R.E.M. was asked to play a beneft for a cause we believed in (and it was often with artists who had long been heroes to them), we pretty much always jumped at the opportunity because it was such a life experience and hopefully did some good.

How did you get involved with ACCA?

Through volunteering with Meals on Wheels with my daughters. Our church does Meals on Wheels every Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s to give the regular drivers a day of.

How do you defne aging and living well?

Positive attitude, keeping informed, humility, keeping your word, sense of humor, quiet time, keeping ft, and keep trying. Isn’t that beautiful? It’s kind of obvious, but it’s creative. My answers are from a piece of Gapingvoid’s art that I keep in my ofce. [Gapingvoid designs cultures in some of the world’s largest organizations including Microsoft, the US Air Force and Navy. You can fnd them at gapingvoid.com.] These words are all things that I’d say defne aging and living well.

A lot. My Uncle Gene, my dad’s only brother, was hugely infuential for me. He wasn’t another father because nobody could be my father, but he was the only male relative I had on my dad’s side. He and my dad were very close, as was Gene with my brothers and me.

Jim Sirrianna, my “big brother” that my mother

Who are some older adults that have impacted your life and what have you learned from them?

signed me up for, was also a huge infuence in my life. He treated me like I was part of his family, taking me to his hometown and on vacations with his wife and kids. He treated me like an older son, and we are still close today. He’s now approaching 80 and is still a really important person in my life. He really helped me in those early years of my life and provided a great model for growing up during some challenging formative years.

Two of my law school professors also stand out. Gabriel Wilner taught international law, and Milner Ball was a professor of environmental law and taught me about the philosophy of law. Milner was also an ordained minister, so he had a lot in common with my father. He was someone who took an interest in me early on, and we became friends beyond law school.

Both of these professors encouraged me to pursue my interest in helping with R.E.M.’s career, which was growing, but slowly during those early years. Plenty of people would have told me to be realistic, but these two men had enough confdence in me to encourage me to try. Their view was that I was in my mid-twenties, and I wasn’t married. So, the stakes were fairly low. They encouraged me to give it a shot. These two law professors, who had very diferent careers and knew I could have a very diferent career, both so blessed my pursuit of my passion and goals, unconventional as my goals were. They said if working with R.E.M. was what I wanted to do, then I should do it. That mattered a lot to me as a 25-26 year old.

What advice would you give to younger generations?

Read actual books. Somehow fnd a way to get of the computer once in a while (I also need to take this advice more than I do). The pandemic was great for my book-reading habit because it wasn’t as busy. People weren’t working as much or traveling at all, including me. We spent time

cocooned indoors and with our families, and I really discovered how much I loved reading printed words from a page. I also was heartened by the fact that my girls were much more interested in reading physical books. It engages your brain in a diferent way and makes you use your imagination more. It’s not passive or easy, and you certainly can’t multitask doing it. I would really encourage reading at all stages of life, and that’s from somebody who has rediscovered it recently thanks to the pandemic.

The other thing I would say to young people is to be engaged in your community. Even if you are only in a place for three or four years, get involved in your town. Get involved with the schools. To me, there is nothing more important than education. The ability to infuence young minds is powerful. Even being an informal teacher or a mentor, helping with feld day or drop of are all important things.

At this point in your life, what has become most important to you?

My family is very important to me. I have two girls and a wonderful wife who mean the world to me. I am also blessed with so many great friends who continue to add fun and depth to my life in so many diferent ways.

On a more personal level, I’d say feeling fulflled and having a sense of purpose day to day. There is a great line in a Neil Young song called World On A String and it goes like this, “You know I lose, you know I win. You know I call for the shape I’m in. It’s just a game you see me play. Only real in the way that I feel from day to day.” This is coming from a guy who is having some real struggles, but that line always stuck with me. To me, it’s all about fnding purpose in each day.

Looking for ways to You’re not alone.

Tech’s complicated - sometimes.

But it also connects us in some pretty amazing ways.

“I see frsthand every day how technology can make a huge diference in the lives of older adults,” said Tom Kamber, executive director of AARP’s Older Adults Technology Services. “Older adults from all over the country are thriving in the digital age — staying connected via Zoom with friends and loved ones, ordering groceries and products online, learning new skills or hobbies and so much more.

“[This] speaks to how technology can transform older adults’ lives.”

and the stats agree

A 2022 study from OATS and the Humana

By Sarah Berthiaume with Ashley Brinkman

Foundation found older adults with access to technology — and training on how to use it! — felt less depressed and isolated. They were also more likely to connect with someone new or join a new activity.

In fact, the right solution and service provider can make using technology easy, fun and rewarding.

“For example, if an aging adult needs memory support or activities of daily living support, technology solutions can be a very inexpensive way to receive continuous help. It is worth the time to make an efort,” said Melany Sattler, vice president of clinical services for SimpleC. “Families often live apart, and our solution engages all family in a simple-to-use series of communication applications that include virtual visit and tele-medicine.”

Tackling new technology together

But mastering new technology? It can feel overwhelming.

“The pandemic encouraged more older adults to give tech a try,” said Sal Kibler, a gerontologist with Georgia Tech’s Tools for Life.

“Lack of exposure or possible ‘fear’ of using technology [does impact some people],” she said. “Although there appears to be a notable shift occurring, especially the past few years with people having to adapt to being isolated or quarantined.”

Training and a little extra support can help overcome some of those fears.

“There are older adults who simply are not comfortable using technology or do not have experience using new devices,” said Kamber. “This is where intensive training programs and support networks can really make a diference and help older adults get connected.”

Closing the digital divide

Understanding new technology isn’t the only hurdle, though. Access is a roadblock, too.

According to AARP, an estimated 22 million older adults didn’t have broadband internet access in their homes as of January 2021.

“Access to the internet, especially in rural parts of the state and country [is a challenge]. Additionally, limited fnancial resources and inequities to aford internet services and technology devices” said Kibler.

She’s part of a team at Georgia Tech’s Tools for Life that works to increase access to assistive technology devices and services.

“Digital disconnection remains a major issue for older adults,” agreed Kamber. “[It limits] their ability to stay engaged with friends and loved ones and utilize critical services that could improve their lives. Closing the digital divide for older adults is critically important and will have a profound impact on their overall health and well-being.”

Whether we’re talking about assistive technology to help you age in place or tech to connect with grandkids in an entirely diferent place, many resources exist to make that possible. This can include

APPS TO TRY

Medisafe

Schedule reminders for taking and reflling medications. Also, receive drug interaction warnings and coupons on prescriptions. This app also allows for care team interaction.

Seeing AI

Uses the device camera to identify people and objects, and then the app audibly describes those objects for people with visual impairment.

Mindmate

This app focuses on stimulating brain activity. It provides users with a wide range of engagement tools, mental exercises, workout routines and recipes - all to keep your mind sharp and your body healthy.

Lotsa Helping Hands

A central place to coordinate meals and help for friends & family. Communication, scheduling and assistance for everyone on your care team!

Sanvello: Anxiety & Depression

Think of it as your feel-better toolkit, including therapy, coaching, coping techniques, meditations, and goal and mood tracking. It’s customizable to you, and the app checks in with how you’re feeling so you can track your emotions and progress over time

Magnifying glass + fashlight

A digital magnifying glass that also uses your phone as a reading light when help is needed to read restaurant menus, prescription bottles, store receipts and more.

federal programs to help with internet access, grants accessed by various nonprofts, and more.

“People often do not know these resources exist,” said Kibler. “Additionally, internet and telecommunication service providers are often able to assist consumers with adjusting the price of services to meet the consumers’ needs if the information is disclosed. Sometimes, there are funding opportunities provided through various grants from programs such as Area Agency on Aging, Center for Independent Living, special interest and nonproft groups. As far as assisting people by accommodating for any limitations as noted above, there are Assistive Technology Act programs (example: Tools for Life) in every state where information, assistance and loaning of technology is available.”

Kamber said they’re also working to make technology more accessible and more user-friendly.

“OATS worked with the Humana Foundation on an initiative called Aging Connected to encourage older adults to sign up for low-cost internet via the Afordable Connectivity Program. Our eforts have helped to raise awareness of these critical government subsidies and break down a barrier (cost) that has restricted access for low-income

Apps recommended for older adults

Staying connected with friends and family: Marco Polo Zoom Vox Safety and Transportation: Life360 Lyft Uber

Groceries and Household: Alexa Instacart Shipit

older adults in the past,” he explained. Older adults can also connect with classes, howto articles and more via seniorplanet.org.

“Senior Planet from AARP ofers daily free classes – both in person and online – for seniors to learn the basics of tech platforms and new devices,” he explained. “These training sessions have helped countless older adults feel more confdent and enthusiastic about exploring new technologies.”

So, what’s the best advice for seniors just starting their tech journey?

“Start small!” said Kibler. “There are so many wonderful technologies out there to pique your interest. However, information overload can stife or lead to technology abandonment. Include friends, family or care providers when trying new technology.”

Medical and Aging Assistance: Magnifying glass + light Pill reminder pro Medisafe SmartBP Seeing AI Good RX Lotsa Helping Hands Sanvello

Tools and Information: AARP Now Audible Libravox Mindmate

Mindfulness: Insight Timer Gratitude Calm

By Allyn Rippin

Resiliency is defned by Merriam-Webster as the ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change. For many people, resiliency has certainly been put to the test in recent years with a global pandemic and fnancial stressors, as well as life’s inevitable challenges.

As the stigma of mental health begins to dissolve, thanks to increasing public dialogue, new approaches to mental health are being created with promising results. Researchers and mental health advocates are transforming and reframing the question “What is wrong with you?” into “What happened to you?” and “What is right with you?” This afrming, strengths-based approach sees stress responses as normal biological reactions rather than a sign of mental weakness, and acknowledges that, with training, they can be regulated.

This approach is the heart of the Community Resiliency Model (CRM, pronounced “crimm”), which seeks to create ‘trauma informed’ and ‘resiliencyfocused’ communities that share a common understanding of the impact of trauma and chronic stress on the nervous system and how learning self-regulating skills can restore or enhance resiliency.

The basic premise is that our nervous system is hardwired to react to our

environment. CRM teaches us to read our nervous systems, better understand our normal reactions to stress, and use a set of skills to return to a place of greater wellbeing, known as the Resilient Zone. In other words, it teaches us to bounce back into our “OK Zone” where we feel calmer and better equipped to respond to challenges.

CRM has been shown to reduce levels of stigma, burnout, stress and toxic stress, secondary trauma and physical symptoms of stress among those who use the model regularly. In one study of participants with limited access to traditional mental health resources, results 3-6 months after CRM training showed an 82% decrease in depression, 59% decrease in somatic symptoms like pain and fatigure, and 58% decrease in anxiety. Here in Athens, a coalition of community partners have united to create Resilient Northeast Georgia, a special project fund of the Athens Area Community Foundation that seeks to build a more trauma-informed Northeast Georgia. CRM is designed to be taught and shared with others, and there are events and trainings open to anyone interested. To learn more, visit www. resilientnortheastgeorgia.org.

CRM reminds us that each person has an innate ability to cultivate strength and resiliency in the present moment and to utilize strategies that can directly contribute to personal wellbeing.

Get to Know These Six CRM Wellness Skills

Community Resilience Model Wellness Skills

TRACKING

Paying attention to sensations within the nervous system and noticing the way the body responds to these sensations.

GROUNDING

Using direct bodily contact with a supportive surface to generate a sense of gravitational security and comfort.

HELP NOW!

Using activities that rely on noticing things in the immediate environment to redirect focus in times of distress.

RESOURCING

Using a positive characteristic, good memory, calming place, person or animal as a safe zone to turn to mentally in times of stress.

GESTURING

Using expressive movements or self-calming motions to express and relieve stress and tension stored within the body.

SHIFT AND STAY

Shifting tension from an unpleasant or painful sensation to more pleasant sensations, then using other CRM skills to remain in that space.

by Brooke Hofman

It’s one of the best ways to unwind and slow down, while at the same time providing a great workout: walking. For adults of all ages, walking has been proven to improve physical, mental and emotional health – all of which are worth investing in, especially during the drearier winter months.

Here in Athens, thanks to Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services’ Trails and Open Space, we have many walking options.

Lawson Moore – a programmer for Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services’ Trails and Open Space – is familiar with the ins and outs of walking trails and attractions throughout Athens, including the nearly 50 miles he manages. From his experience leading guided hikes and trail tours to trail design and rehabilitation, Moore has a number of suggestions for where older adults can keep moving.

For all skill levels

“A great place to start is at the Sandy Creek Nature Center,” Lawson said. “Between just two trails, we have over 10 miles of paths. The frst is the North Oconee River Greenway Trail, our longest system, which starts here at the Nature Center.”

With an ADA-compliant boardwalk, birdwatching blind, natural surface trail and plenty of benches, the Greenway Trail is a great option for hikers of all skill levels.

“The Greenway Trail is a good place to start, because you can walk down the boardwalk and keep going for as long as you’re comfortable – you could get out on the natural surface, if you feel like it. You can also do short walks there, because there are a lot of benches here at the Nature Center, more than most other places,” he said.

For a little fun and education

And for those visiting with kids – or for the naturally young and curious at heart – the Nature Center has a museum with animal specimens and fun interactive features. There are also great bathrooms and water fountains.

ACCA’s walking group is familiar with the Greenway Trail, making it an easy place to get involved with a group of fellow walkers.

“Our group meets each Tuesday to walk the Greenway Trail. Each person walks at their own pace,” said Pat Fowler, a member of ACCA’s walking group.

“Walking with the group made me more aware of how much stronger my body feels after making that journey on the Greenway Trail.”

Also accessible from the trail is the Easley’s Mill trail head, a wheelchair-friendly, gentle walk to a lovely river overlook. Not to mention, this spot intersects with the second of the Nature Center’s trails: Firefy Trail.

For accessibility and history lovers

A historically rich spot to get in your steps, Firefy Trail serves as an ideal spot for those needing an extremely fat surface to walk on.

“Being a Rails-to-Trails project, Firefy Trail is incredibly fat. There’s also very accessible parking to the trail,” Lawson said. “It’s currently a 2.8 mile long trail and will hopefully be around 30 miles when it’s fnished, leaving the county and going all the way down to Union Point.

“The Firefy Trail used to be a railway corridor, and during its heyday, those trains – being powered by coal and wood – would excrete hot ash from the top of the train. That hot ash would glow at night and foat down low, earning the trail its name ‘Firefy Trail’,” said Lawson.

“And even before it was a railroad, the trail was a Native American trading route, which was used and documented by a naturalist, William Bartram. He came to Athens – then just a small trading community called Cedar Shoals – from Augusta in the late 1700s hundreds using what is now Firefy Trail.”

Bonus: Firefy Trail is accessible from another of Lawson’s top picks, Dudley Park. Right in the middle of town, the 32-acre park’s paved trail merges right at the intersection of the Firefy and Greenway trails.

For a great view

Also, a new, scenic section of the Greenway Trail just opened in November through the Oconee Hill Cemetery. It ofers easy and free parking access from the Easley’s Mill parking lot and a scenic quarter-mile path parallel to the river.

For a lower - impact hike

Another couple of short trails Lawson suggests are Southeast Clarke Park Trail and the Birchmore Trail at Memorial Park.

“Southeast Clarke Park Trail is a natural surface trail, but because it’s relatively new, it doesn’t have a lot of erosion damage,” Lawson said. “In fact, I lead night hikes out there and tell people who have had surgery and want to become active again or simply who are beginners at hiking that this is the natural surface trail for them. Plus, there’s a walking track where, if you wanted, you can warm up frst.

For more of a challenge, and an adventure- flled day

“If after doing that trail you think, ‘That was a lot of fun, but I could step it up a little bit,’ Memorial Park is a good next step. Its Birchmore Trail is interesting, because it has a giant stone wall that was built by Fred Birchmore when he was between 75 and 80 years old – he lived to be 100. It surrounds about three acres and is kind of like a castle.

“There’s also a free zoo in Memorial Park with native animals and a paved walking path around the pond. That’s a really good stop.”

Having worked in Athens-Clarke County parks for almost 20 years – not to mention his experience as a year-round resident of Camp Kiwanis, where his wife works as the director – Lawson has a wealth of knowledge about, and a true passion for, the outdoors.

“My favorite part about programming for ACC Leisure Services is when I can take people into the forest to have a great time sharing and learning together. And trails ofer a safe and easy way to access nature,” Lawson said. “Walking in nature and observing other people, plants and animals is a great way to boost your mood and energy level. We could all use more of that!

No matter where, when, or how fast you walk, it’s a habit that’s healthy for not only the body but the mind, too.

“One of the things I really love about walking is being in that moment of time,” Lawson said. “You can leave a lot of your other kind of cares behind, because you’re really having to pay attention. You’re keeping an eye out for things not to trip over or walk onto, you’re looking around and really in nature – it’s really a stimulating thing to get out and take a walk.

“That mindfulness, breathing and moving your body during a walk also relieves stress and anxiety. Plus it’s super for your joints and muscles. There’s also so much scenery and wildlife to discover along the trails.

Not to mention, walking with friends – old and new –is always a good idea.

“I enjoy the socialization of being with the group,” Pat said. “We walk, talk and laugh while getting that needed exercise. And as a youth, I was on a track team, so this weekly outing brings back good memories.”

A unique way to help ACC trails improve, and

meet new people, is by becoming a Trails and Open Space Trail Ambassador.

“All you do is come to a half-hour long training, then all that we ask is that you walk four hours or more on our trails every month and do things like pick up trash and report problems that will help other users,” Lawson said. “It also gives you the chance to give people some guidance on trails they’ve never been on before.”

And with about 90 other trail ambassadors already enjoying their time out on the paths, you’re sure to meet some great people by joining in. Plus, with fun activities like ACC’s monthly “Bring the Gnome Home” game – check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/ACCTrails for hints on where the little garden gnome is hidden on trails for a chance to win a prize – there’s always some sort of outdoor fun to enjoy.

For more information about Athens-Clarke County trails – including parking locations, trail mileage, water fountain and bench locations, and more – and to use the interactive map, visit accgov.com/trails.

Find your volunteer spot!

The Fix-It Shop

Are you handy and older than 55?

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking older adults to help develop and lead a DIY home repair group. Volunteers from across the Athens area will be able to come and fnd fellowship through providing small DIY improvements to clients’ homes, as well as learn 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!

State Health Insurance Program Benefts Counselors (SHIP)

Enrolling in Medicare can be a confusing and frightening time, but by becoming a SHIP volunteer you can gain the knowledge to navigate this complex healthcare system. This program provides counselors all the training they need to help benefciaries navigate Medicare enrollment, ensuring they fnd the plan that works best for their unique situation. Volunteer counselors provide both phone and in-person counseling in our ofces, and have the option of doing of-site counseling to help reach benefciaries across our 12-county service area.

Buddy Volunteers

Buddy volunteers are matched with an older adult based on shared interests and hobbies, or a desire to learn a new skill from a new friend. Whether you like movies, music or working on your next masterpiece painting, we’ll get you matched with a Buddy who would enjoy your company!

AmeriCorps

Seniors

Foster Grandparents

Are you older than 55 and looking for a way to make a positive impact in your community? Whether you’re looking to serve fve hours or 40 hours each week, the AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparent Program is a great way for low-income older adults to engage with the community while enriching the lives of others. These volunteers will be matched with elementary-aged children where they will provide tutoring, mentorship and one-on-one support in a school or childcare setting.

Meals On Wheels Volunteers

We are in urgent need of delivery volunteers! Our drivers deliver prepared meals and other necessities to vulnerable residents of our community every week day at 10:30 a.m. These deliveries include older adults and people with disabilities who are homebound and unable to leave their homes due to health, mobility or transportation issues. Our volunteers provide not just a meal, but also someone to check in on our clients and make sure every person MOW serves sees a friendly face each day.

If you are interested in volunteering with any of these programs, please visit www.accaging.org/ volunteers for more information.

Volunteer Spotlight: Isabel Alpaugh & Leila BjorklandGlazman

By Renee Seligman

When people hear “Athens Community Council on Aging,” the frst thing many think of is our Meals on Wheels program and for good reason. With the help of around 130 volunteers, the program provides almost 73,000 meals to 300 clients each year. ACCA’s dedicated staf and volunteers deliver healthy and balanced meals to help address our community’s hunger and senior isolation.

But as many of our meal recipients would tell you, it is truly more than just a meal.

With every meal delivery, our volunteers provide safety checks, a friendly face, and a reminder that we care about them. For so many of our meal recipients, the volunteer delivering their meals is the only person they may see or speak to all day. This program gives them something to look forward to and enables them to age well and live well.

One volunteer who always shows up ready to help is Isabel Alpaugh.

Fourteen years ago, Isabel’s friend Leila BjorklandGlazman was looking for ways to engage and give back to her community along with Isabel. She discovered ACCA’s volunteer opportunities.

“It just seemed like a perfect opportunity,” said Bjorkland-Glazman.

Alpaugh picked up her frst Meals on Wheels delivery route, and she has not looked back since.

Though Bjorkland-Glazman hasn’t been able to volunteer with Alpaugh the entire fourteen years, she recently began delivering with her again.

Every week, the two learn new and exciting things about their community, and each other, through their Meals on Wheels delivery route.

While they look forward to creating a positive impact, the meal recipients on Isabel’s route look forward to seeing the bright smile she uses to greet them.

“It’s hard to be anything but happy when you’re around Isabel. She gives the warmest hugs, loves to laugh, and greets everyone she sees,” said Bjorkland-Glazman.

Thanks to her great support system, some good music, and a little bit of pizza, Isabel’s always up for a new adventure. Having down syndrome or other developmental disabilities often creates added challenges for completing everyday tasks, but that

doesn’t stand in Isabel’s way. Her honesty, positive attitude and determination allow her to embrace and successfully navigate her Meals on Wheels routes.

But Alpaugh isn’t just a volunteer at ACCA. In fact, she is also a meal recipient. Both Isabel and her late mother received meals from the program in 2020.

During the pandemic, things were looking very diferent for everyone. Isabel took a hiatus from delivering for her health and her mom’s health. They weren’t going places and only a few people were coming to their home. So, having someone bring meals to them weekly meant that someone would visit them and check on them, and they didn’t have to worry about those few meals. Today, Isabel volunteers weekly and picks up her own meals at the end of her route.

“She loves to have fun and is easy to be around, but she takes her work [delivering meals] very seriously,” said Bjorkland-Glazman. Being a meal recipient herself, Isabel knows just how impactful healthy meals from this program can be.

We are so grateful to Isabel for being so persistent and for helping us improve the lives

of our Meals on Wheels recipients one meal at a time. At ACCA, we welcome extraordinary people from all walks of life to help create change in their community and bring a smile to our older adults’ faces. Whether it’s through our Meals on Wheels program or another program we ofer, if you are interested in volunteering, please visit accaging.org for more information.

Over the years, ACCA’s Meals on Wheels program has had several volunteers with developmental and physical disabilities give back to their communities through programs such as Georgia Options, Hope Haven of Northeast Georgia and Designing Minds Enterprises. Like Isabel, these folks volunteer at least once weekly and are always willing to do more if their busy schedule allows. They are always eager to “get to work” and take their job very seriously. And, they always do it with a smile on their face.

Spring

By Kellye Morgan

Spring is a time to step back outside after spending the winter tucked away. Ranked in 2018 as the Best Georgia Attraction, Callaway Gardens provides the perfect environment to venture back into the beautiful outdoors.

to Callaway Gardens & Warm Springs, Georgia

Open since 1952, Callaway Resort & Gardens is nestled at the base of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Founded by Cason Callaway (former Chairman of Callaway Mills) and his wife Virginia, the couple planned for a retreat where people and nature could come together. This oasis holds a rich history, beginning in the Great Depression era. In Harris County, where Callaway Gardens is now located, former cotton felds once existed. When the Depression struck, the felds were depleted and left bare. The Callaways eventually acquired 40,000 acres of this land.

During the Great Depression, Cason began to make plans for his family’s vacation home in Blue Springs (about eight miles from Callaway Gardens) and the thousands of acres he had obtained there. This home hosted many infuential guests, such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who

vacationed in nearby Warm Springs. Cason eventually left his company to focus on the land. He experimented raising various animals and crops including cattle, chickens, ducks, quail, turkeys, fsh, strawberries, blueberries, muscadines and kudzu, eventually becoming one of Georgia’s leading farmers. As the land began to emerge as a beautiful garden, the Callaways realized they wanted to share it with the public. Ida Cason Gardens, as it was frst named (after Cason’s mother), opened to the community on May 21, 1952.

Today, Callaway Gardens has recreational attractions, outdoor adventures, and special events that attract hundreds of thousands of people each year. The garden has eight trails for walking and biking, including the Discovery Bike Trail, a 10-mile paved trail that takes guests through the gardens to all the attractions on site. One of the most popular places to visit is the Cecil B. Day Butter fy Center, which has about 1,000 butter fies of over 50 diferent species from Malaysia, the Philippines and Central and South America. There is also a Birds of Prey Show presented at the Gardens’ Discovery Amphitheater multiple times a day.

Callaway Gardens has two golf courses in operation – one of which, the Mountain View Course, hosted the Buick Challenge from 1991 to 2002. For daredevils, the TreeTop Adventure obstacle course contains a zip line and over 25 “games” to play up in the trees. If relaxing on the ground is more your thing, you can lounge at Robin Lake Beach or the

pool at the Resort & Lodge, treat yourself to some self-care at the onsite spa, and take leisurely walks through the Thornhill Hydrangea Garden and Overlook Azalea Garden. Callaway Gardens hosts quite a few seasonal events each year, including the Spring Flower Fest, Annual Plant Sale, Florida State University Flying High Circus, Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, The Steeplechase at

Callaway Gardens, and Fantasy in Lights holiday show. It’s truly a place that cannot be missed!

Located just 20 minutes down the road is Warm Springs, Georgia, where President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped put this little Victorian-era town on the map. Roosevelt frst came to Warm Springs looking for a cure for his polio (the naturally heated waters did help improve his condition). While still governor of New York, he built the National Historic Landmark, Little White House, in Warm Springs, and during his presidency he developed New Deal programs based upon his experiences in Georgia. Now, visitors can tour his home and heated pools, which have been preserved and serve as a museum. Warm Springs also features a quaint downtown with delicious restaurants, stylish boutiques, and scenic parks nearby for hiking.

Don’t miss out on our spring break trip to some of Georgia’s most popular and historic attractions. Sign up today with Allyn at arippin@accaging.org or call the CAL ofce at 706-549-4850.

The Center for Active Living 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.

We ofer both virtual and in-person classes that follow safety precautions and procedures. Classes are subject to change or cancellation.

Dance, Fitness and Movement Classes

Chair Yoga

Designed to be accessible to all, most poses are seated, and any standing poses will use the chair for support. Expect a gentle sequence with the opportunity to stretch muscles and invigorate the mind through breath work. This class format is pre-recorded instructor videos.

When: Mondays at 10 a.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members; $5 drop-in for non-members

Gentle Hatha Yoga

We’ve partnered with Feel Free Yoga of Athens for a brand new in-person yoga class! You can expect breathing exercises and poses - both standing and seated - while moving at a gentle pace. The slower transition between poses allows the individual to be mindful and present throughout the class. Benefts include better sleep, reduced stress, improved balance and increase fexibility.

When: Mondays at 1 p.m. (starting January 9th) Where: ACCA Harris Room $5/class for members, $10 drop-in for nonmembers. (Pay online at www.accaging.org or stop by/call the CAL ofce.)

Get Fit! Senior Fitness Class

ACCA’s community partner, Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services, ofers a popular ftness class for seniors 55+. Get Fit! focuses on fexibility, strength training and aerobic ftness for seniors who prefer a workout without impact to their joints. Participants will use resistance bands, small weights and body weight to improve strength and balance. To join, please contact ACC Leisure Services at 706-6133596 or register at www.accgov.com.

When: Mondays from 1-2 p.m. (from January 16th - April 24th)

Where: Lay Park

Free for members and non-members

Tuesday Walking Group

Meet up for a walk with friends at the ACCA Greenway and various parks and trails around Athens. The group meets at ACCA every Tuesday at 11 a.m. EXCEPT the 3rd Tuesday of the month: January 17th: Athens First United Methodist Church (Indoors)

February 21st: Georgia Square Mall (Indoors) March 21st: UGA Intramural Fields

Free for members; $5 drop-in for non-members; Register for of-site walks with Allyn at arippin@ accaging.org or call 706-549-4850.

Intermediate Line Dancing

Grab your dancing shoes and cowboy boots! New and intermediate-level dancers are welcome. CAL instructor Linda “Boots” Barnes plays an eclectic mix of music to keep you moving from beginning to end, with step-by-step instruction.

When: Tuesdays at 12 p.m.

Where: ACCA Harris Room

Free for members, $5 drop-in for non-members

Beginner Line Dancing

New to line dancing? Following our intermediate class, Linda leads an introductory class to help new dancers learn the steps.

When: Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members, $5 drop-in for non-members

Dance Fitness

Let the music move you in this fun and energizing class! Improve your core, coordination, stamina and balance. Chairs will be set up for those who prefer seating.

When: Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members, $5 drop-in for non-members

Yoga with Bill

This Integral Hatha Yoga class consists of bodily postures, deep relaxation and breath control. The yoga asanas, or postures, that Bill teaches are meant to bring steadiness, comfort and ease to the body and mind. Classes are meant to be easy for beginners yet challenging for those with more experience.

When: Wednesdays at 3 - 4:15 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members, $5 drop-in for non-members

Chair Tai Chi with Katie

Join Katie Calkin, MPH, MCHES, from Piedmont Athens Regional for this 30-minute class. Its gentle movements allow for easy modifcations, and no elaborate clothing is required. Much of the class will be seated or standing using a chair for balance. An optional blood pressure check is ofered afterwards.

When: 2nd Thursday of the month (January 12th, February 9th and March 9th) at 10 a.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members, $5 drop-in for non-members

Smart Moves with Becky

Smart Moves is a low-impact class that can be performed seated or standing and is appropriate for all ftness levels. Similar to Silver Sneakers, this 60-minute class mixes the use of elastic bands, free weights and medicine balls to work your entire body and improve balance, fexibility and strength. When: Thursdays at 2 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members, $5 drop-in for non-members

Belly Dancing Class

Did you know that belly dancing is one of the oldest forms of dance? It also happens to have numerous health benefts, promoting balance, strength, digestion, coordination and confdence, as well as being a fun and highly expressive form of movement. Lisa Mason is a bellydance and pelvic yoga instructor. In her class, you will learn traditional belly dance movements while also exploring posture, alignment, strength, musicality and choreography. Leave your shoes at the door and shimmy on in.

When: Thursday, February 28th from 3-4:30 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room $10 for members, $12 drop-in for non-members

Anywhere with CAL

Register with Allyn at arippin@accaging.org or call 706-549-4850. Free for members and non-members.

Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island is located of the coast of Georgia and is the state’s largest and southernmost barrier island. Spread over 36 thousand acres and 17 miles long, visitors come into contact with wildlife, maritime forests, salt marshes, dunes and even mansion ruins. Cumberland is only accessible by boat or ferry, but traveling virtually allows us to immerse in this magical, of-the-beaten path place. When: Thursday, January 19th at 1 p.m. Where: Zoom (with option to view in ACCA Hudson Room)

Japan

Known as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is an eclectic mix of past, present and future. There is a rich culture to discover in Japan in its customs, art and history. We will travel to the capital of Tokyo, the spiritual center of Kyoto with its temples, gardens and Imperial palace, as well as Hiroshima, a vibrant city with its Peace Park, a grim and hauntingly beautiful reminder of its stark history. A visit wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Okinawa, the islands at the southern end of the country –once called the land of immortals and one of the world’s fve Blue Zones. When: Thursday, February 16th at 1 p.m. Where: Zoom (with option to view in ACCA Hudson Room)

Cave Paintings of France & Spain

For those interested in the intersection of art, history, geology and human evolution, there are treasures to be found in the mysterious and wondrous ancient caves of France and Spain. Together we will explore some of the oldest art in the world, from Lascaux to El Castillo to the fgurative paintings of Chauvet Cave in France, dating prior to 30,000 BC. When: Thursday, March 16th at 1 p.m. Where: Zoom (with option to view in ACCA Hudson Room)

CAL Travel

To register for trips, please contact Allyn at arippin@accaging.org or call 706-549-4850. For most trips, payment is due at time of registration to reserve your spot.

cup? We will take a peek behind the roaster’s operations and sample a few varieties.

When: Wednesday, January 25th at 2 p.m. Where: 1000 Faces Cofee (510 N. Thomas Street). Limited transportation available. Space is limited.

$5 with transportation; no cost to meet us there. Contact the CAL ofce to RSVP.

Condor Chocolates

Trip to Georgia Aquarium

Let’s make a splash at the Georgia Aquarium! This Atlanta treasure is the largest aquarium in the United States and the third largest in the world. We will explore the aquarium’s 11 million gallons of water, visiting penguins, sharks, whales and more! If time permits, the dolphins and sea lions put on fantastic shows for us to watch.

When: Wednesday, January 11th (Depart CAL at 9:30 a.m.; return appox. 5:00 p.m.)

Cost: $60 for members, $70 for non-members (includes transportation, aquarium admission, lunch at the aquarium and a souvenir tote bag).

Short trips to favorite spots around town.

1000 Faces Cofee

Did you know we serve 1000 Faces cofee at the CAL Cafe? This popular roaster and cafe is located just down the street! Do you love your cuppa morning Joe and are curious how beans are grown, sourced, processed and brewed into the perfect

Join us for a sweet visit to Athens’ favorite chocolatery, Condor Chocolates, at their downtown cafe + factory. As we warm up with their cofee and chocolates, we can watch the production of their delicious trufes and other decadent desserts.

When: Wednesday, March 8th at 11 a.m.

Where: Condor Chocolates (160 E. Washington Street). Limited transportation available. Space is limited. Cost: $5 with transportation; no cost to meet us there. Treats and cofee are self-pay. Contact the CAL ofce to RSVP.

Martha Graham Dance Company Performance

The most celebrated modern dance company in America makes an eagerly anticipated visit to Athens at last! The Martha Graham Dance Company exemplifes its founder’s timeless and uniquely American style of dance. The ensemble will perform Appalachian Spring — Graham’s legendary signature piece set to Aaron Copland’s iconic music and accompanied by a chamber orchestra of local musicians, along with the reimagined Canticle for Innocent Comedians.

When: Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 pm. Pre-performance talk by the artistic director in the Fine Arts Building at 6:45 p.m. Depart CAL at 6 p.m.

Where: UGA Fine Arts Theater Cost: $30/ticket, including transportation; limited tickets available. Register with Allyn at arippin@accaging.org or 706-549-4850. Payment due in full at time of registration to reserve your spot.

Bowling at Showtime Bowl

What better way to stay warm on a cold winter day than some indoor bowling! Enjoy games, billiards, food, and other refreshments from the on-site restaurant, 11th Pin. RSVP required. Cost includes one game and shoe rental. Refreshments not included. When: Monday, February 6th at 10:30 a.m. Where: Depart CAL at 10am for Showtime Bowling Center (555 Macon Hwy, Athens)

Cost: $7 for members, $10 for non-members. Limited transportation available or meet us there. Register with Allyn at arippin@accaging.org or 706-549-4850.

DIY Terrariums at Foxglove Plantbar

Create and design your very own succulent terrarium at Foxglove Plantbar! Terrariums are living conversation pieces that can be used to beautify your home or given as a stylish gift. For this outing, we’re in for a unique group experience among plants! Price includes all the materials you’ll need for the terrarium, socializing and drinks, and access to their “community propagation wall,” where you can take a cutting or leave one. Bring a friend!

When: Wednesday, February 22nd at 2 p.m. Where: Foxglove Plantbar (1063 Baxter Street, Athens) Cost: $40/person with transportation, $35/ person without transportation Sign-up by calling the CAL ofce at 706-549-4850.

Overnight Trip: Spring Break at Callaway Gardens

For many of us, our last spring break was during senior year of college. Now it is time for a proper “senior” spring break! Join us on a fabulous overnight getaway to the Callaway Gardens Resort & Spa. We’ll tour the grounds, see the Butter fy Center, explore the walking and biking trails and relax by the pool. Before we depart back to Athens, we’ll also visit historic Warm Springs, where we can tour Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Little White House and shop in the quaint downtown square. When: March 22-23, 2023 Where: Pine Mountain, Georgia Cost: Double room: $315/person. Single room: $415/person (limited availability) Cost includes transportation, room and resort fees, 1 breakfast/1 lunch, and museum fees. Deposit of $100/per person due at time of registration. Final registrations and payment due by Friday, February 17th No refunds after 2/17. Call the CAL ofce at 706-549-4850 for trip details and cancellation policy.

Educational Seminars and Special Events

Sound Bath Experience

Feel Free Yoga of Athens brings us a unique sounds experience to help balance mind, body and spirit. Vibrational sound healing has been shown to relax tension in the body, reduce stress, promote restful sleep and clear the mind. Sound baths use instruments such as singing bowls to create an immersive, meditative experience. Participants can choose to lay down or sit on the the foor or in a chair. Bring a blanket, yoga mat and/or cushion. (CAL has a few for members to borrow).

Educational Seminars and Special Events

Easy as Pie: Pre-Planning for Final Wishes with Lord & Stephens

More and more people today are choosing to arrange for their fnal wishes in advance of death. However, it’s hard to know where to start this process or even what questions to ask. Lord & Stephens Funeral Home brings its “Easy as Pie” dessert informational event to ACCA to share the benefts of pre-planning. Learn how planning ahead can shield your family from making difcult decisions at a highly emotional time, ensure that your requests are carried out and how preplanning can realize fnancial benefts today.

When: Wednesday, January 18th at 10:30 a.m. Where: ACCA Hudson Room Free for members and non-members. RSVP required.

Vision Health with Lions Club Georgia

The Lion’s Club is known for its advocacy in vision health. By conducting vision screenings, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, the group works toward their mission of preserving and promoting sight. This educational seminar will include a free vision screening with an ophthalmologist.

When: Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room Free for members and non-members

When: Wednesday, February 15th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: ACCA Harris Room Cost: $10 for members; $15 for non-members

Holistic Wellness Lecture Series

Join Dr. Lesley Clack, ScD, CPH, from Northeast Georgia HealthMatters, for informative seminars that take a whole-person approach to aging well. Topics include Diabetes Management (January 3rd), Mindfulness (February 7th) and Health Literacy (March 7th).

When: 1st Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. Where: Zoom (with option to view in ACCA Hudson Room)

Free for members and non-members

Pop-Up Nutrition Class with Open Hand

Looking for nutrition advice, recipes and tips in a jif? Have you always wanted to work with a nutritionist but haven’t had the time or means? Pop by this 30-minute group nutrition class, led by a Registered Dietician

at Open Hand, an Atlanta-based nonproft that delivers healthful meals to seniors (including our tasty lunches at CAL!). Participants can win Walmart gift cards!

When: 4th Monday of every month at 10 a.m. (Contact the CAL ofce for topics and dates) Where: ACCA Hudson Room (with option to join via Zoom)

Free for members; $3 drop-in for non-members

Digital Skills

Ready@50+

Computer Classes

ACCA is partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help people over 50 learn new online skills. When you sign up for the Digital Skills Ready@50+ program, you’ll gain the essential skills you need to navigate an increasingly digital world. Whether you’re looking for a job, exploring entrepreneurship or hoping to stay connected with family and friends, Digital Skills Ready@50+ classes and workshops ofer trainings on a wide range of technologies, from video conferencing to online job search tools to ofce productivity software.

When: Thursday, January 12th at 11 a.m. (Google Workspace); Thursday, February 9th at 11 a.m. (Person-to-Person Payment Services – Venmo, PayPal & CashApp); and Thursday, March 9th at 11 a.m. (Google Maps)

Where: ACCA Hudson Room Free for members and non-members Register with Kellye at kmorgan@accaging.org or call 706-549-4850.

Outsmart Your Smartphone

Do you need help getting plugged into the digital world? Want to gain confdence in using your smartphone, tablet or laptop? Need help getting on Zoom, social media or managing your email and photos? Our Tech Volunteer can answer your questions.

Available for members only BY APPOINTMENT (in person, by phone, or virtual). Please call the CAL ofce at 706-549-4850 to make an appointment.

Creative Aging with the Georgia Museum of Art

Seated Yoga in the Gallery

January 12th from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Join us for chair yoga in the museum’s gallery space. Exhale to a meditative and relaxing experience surrounded by art. All abilities welcome.

Art Making Workshop

Tuesday, February 7th at 10:00 a.m. The museum hosts a gallery conversation, followed by an art making project that references the current exhibit. Limited transportation is available or meet us there. Free for members and non-members. Contact the CAL ofce to reserve your spot.

Social Programs and Events

Hygge Happening

Join us for CAL’s annual wintertime tradition! Hygge is the Danish word for coziness, togetherness and enjoying the simple pleasures that get us through the dark, winter months. Think cozy sweaters, freside conversations and mugs of hot drinks. Drop by for hot chocolate and s’more-making in the Courtyard with fellow members and staf.

When: Tuesday, January 24th from 11-12 p.m. Where: CAL Brick Room and Courtyard Free for members

Ballroom Social Dance

Have you ever wanted to try ballroom dance? This is the perfect opportunity! Social dances are intended for participation rather than performance and can be followed with relative ease. You’ll begin with a lesson and then show of your new dancing skills during the social dance portion. No partner necessary. Join swing dance pros Melissa Gogo and Geof Newell as they take us through the steps.

When: 2nd Monday of the month (January 9th, February 13th, and March 13th) from 3- 4:30 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room

Cost: $8 for members and $10 for non-members. RSVP to Allyn at arippin@accaging.org or call 706-549-4850.

Valentine’s Sweetheart Ball

Join us for a special evening in the Harris Room with music, food and dancing in anticipation of Valentine’s Day on the 14th. Cast your vote for Mr. and Ms. Sweetheart and enter the rafe to win prizes! Bring a friend, family member or sweetheart! Wear your fnest suit, gown and dancing shoes for a memorable evening at CAL.

When: Thursday, February 9th from 5-8 p.m. Where: ACCA Harris Room $5/person for members and guests RSVP required. Please contact the CAL ofce.

Beginner Mah Jongg

Mah Jongg is a Chinese tile game that is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. Similar to the western card game rummy, mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and involves a degree of chance.

When: Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Where: ACCA Hudson Room RSVP required; space is limited. Please contact the CAL ofce.

Support Groups

Grief & Loss Support Group

Whether you are grieving a loved one, working through a life transition or just feeling a sense of loss in a post-pandemic world, our new support group will help you along your healing journey. This open group will be facilitated by Allison Lamb, LMSW of Revolution Therapy and Yoga, who specializes in grief and loss, and it will bring you together with others in the community experiencing similar situations.

When: 1st Wednesday of every month at 10:30 a.m. beginning February 1st Where: ACCA Hudson Room

Free for members and non-members

Caregiver Support Group

Join other caregivers for support, participate in educational programs and gain knowledge from health care professionals. For more information, contact Catherine Singleton at 706-549-4850.

When: 3rd Tuesday each month at 12 p.m. Where: ACCA Bentley ADH Center (135 Hoyt Street, Athens)

Free for members and non-members

What, exactly, is inspired living?

It’s a calendar dotted with goings and doings. It’s trying new things. Making the most of every day. It’s a dedication to wellness. It’s having good friends. Being a good friend. Laughing a lot. It’s looking ahead with purpose and optimism and confidence. In short, inspired living is living at Wesley Woods of Athens.