July & August Prime Connections 2024

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 FUN BEGINS AT 5:00PM AT ZOOMONTANA

Erika Purington Executive Director

Hello friends!

It has been incredible to meet so many of you over the last few months as I have transitioned onto the Adult Resource Alliance team. For those of you I have not yet met, I look forward to us touching base soon at a meal site or Alliance event, in the Resource Center, or a pop into my office at our Avenue D location!

A long time ago I embraced the fact that, as humans, one of the greatest gifts we have is that we have the capacity to learn and grow our entire lives. There has been no shortage of learning for me over the last few months, as you can imagine! Historically, I have been part of organizations and missions that were youth and family focused so it was a given that I would have a learning curve when joining an

organization that serves seniors. I have had exceptional teachers over the last few months, both the talented ARA team and the many participants that I have met and chatted with. Thank you!

My job as ARA head coach is to mobilize the ARA team and community to meet our mission, to provide effective services and lead collaborative efforts to ensure seniors remain independent with the highest possible quality of life. The mission is what drives the ARA team, Board of Directors, and me, every single day to focus on what is most important to you. I am thrilled to be here in this role and welcome input from you to help us provide 5-star services and to stay on track in meeting your needs.

I hope to see you at lunch, an exercise class, caregiver support group, in the Resource Center or driving a Meals on Wheels route soon!

FOR YOUR HEALTH

Helping children cope with loved one’s death

BY RIVERSTONE HEALTH HOSPICE GRIEF SUPPORT TEAM

In the US, between 2.5 and 3 million grandparents are responsible for most of the basic care of one or more of their grandchildren (statistic from the American Community Survey) This makes the following article particularly relevant in today’s world.

When children lose a loved one, they need parents, grandparents and other caring adults to help them through the grieving process. The impact of one supportive,

consistent relationship can minimize the woundedness a child experiences.

In our work with children who have experienced a death in the family, we see that sometimes grownups assume children are resilient so a death doesn’t impact them. We see that adults often expect that kids will simply “get over” their sadness. In fact, children grieve in their own unique ways. The child’s age will affect understanding of death and

their experience of grieving. Adults need to share at the level that the child can understand.

Sometimes adults try to spare the child’s feelings by saying something like “Grandma went on vacation” This can be confusing for the child when Grandma doesn’t come back. The child might think Grandma doesn’t want to see me or doesn’t love me anymore.

Children’s grief may result in physical symptoms such as aches and pains. This may be their way of saying “I hurt”. Grief may affect the child’s ability to focus and think clearly.

Sometimes, grieving children change the way they engage with school. The child may suddenly not want to go to school. The child may cry or have flashes of anger or may suffer silently with no obvious symptoms.

We can help children cope with loss by sharing our own grief and creating space for them to share openly. Here are some ways to help a grieving child:

• Communicate openly and honestly.

• Treat children with dignity and respect.

• Encourage consistency with routines and structure.

• Be a compassionate listener.

• Connect your child with supportive people, such as a trusted teacher, school counselor or clergy member.

• Provide material and opportunities to express grief in nonverbal ways. This might include art supplies or a journal for writing.

• Help the child to find ways to deal with grief in a positive way, like riding their bike, taking a walk or listening to music.

• Provide opportunities for fun and play.

Be patient. A child’s cycle of grief is unique to who they are and their circumstances. Often there can be recurring periods of grief that may be triggered by growth and development, an anniversary or other significant date, additional losses or new disruptions.

It is difficult to meet the needs of children at a time when your own grief can be overwhelming. There may be others who can provide support when you are exhausted. The goal is not to hide your grief from the child, but rather to share your grief and support as you cope with the loss together.

The Dougy Center in Portland, OR, has excellent resources online. We use some of this organization’s grief support methods in our work with children. Just search online for Dougy Center.

Death is a part of life. Grieving is a natural process that kids can work through. Let them know that they will be OK.

Chaplain Terri Steinbrink and social workers Corinne Denegre and Aunnika Woods provide grief support to RiverStone Health Hospice patients and families. They also offer grief support groups free of charge to community members. To learn more about RiverStone Health Hospice bereavement support, please call 406-651-6500.

DOMINOS

• Monday 12:00 – Ave. D

MEXICAN TRAIN

• Monday 10:30 – Heights

PINOCHLE

• Monday 1:00 - Laurel

• Tuesday 10:30 & 1:00 – West End

• Wednesday 12:00 – Ave. D

• Thursday 10:30 & 1:00 – West End

• Thursday 1:00 – Laurel

• Friday 12:30 – South Park

GAME TIME!

BRIDGE

• Tuesday 12:30 – South Park

• Thursday 12:30 – South Park

CRIBBAGE

• Tuesday 12:30 – South Park

• Thursday 12:30 – South Park

HAND AND FOOT

• Tuesday 12:45 – West End

• Thursday 12:45 – West End

FARKLE

The second and fourth Sundays, Laurel has a pot-luck Pinochle party, eating at 12:30 and playing at 1:00.

• Tuesday 10:30 & 1:00 – West End

• Thursday 10:30 & 1:00 – West End

Ave D, 1505 Ave. D • Heights, 935 Lake Elmo • Laurel, 720 S. 4th St. • South Park, 901 S. 30th St. • West End, 4125 Grand Ave.

For games at the Billings Community Center, see the Connections section on page 15 of this publication.

“My mom, Mary, is my biggest supporter and my biggest fan. The morning of her stroke, something felt di erent. God was telling me something was wrong.

I checked on my mom and that’s when she told me she couldn’t move her legs. I rushed over and took her to the Emergency Room at Billings Clinic.

When we arrived, the team told me that my mom was having a stroke. They immediately got her in for a thrombectomy to remove the clot.

A nurse came out and called my name, and it was one of the scariest and best parts of my life. I immediately asked, ‘Is my mom okay?’ And she said ‘yes’ with a big smile.

My mom always taught us to give thanks in all things. Now I appreciate how much of a miracle she is and how grateful we are for Billings Clinic.”

- Megan, Mary’s daughter

WHAT'S COOKING

SENIOR LUNCH PROGRAM

Proper Nutrition is vital to older adults. How can older adults eat healthy as they age?

Eat foods that give lots of nutrients without a lot of extra calories such as:

• Fruits and vegetables- choose different types with bright colors

• Whole grains, like oatmeal, wholewheat bread, and brown rice

• Low fat milk or fat free milk and cheese, or soy or rice milk that has added vitamin D and calcium

• Seafood, lean meats, poultry, and eggs

• Beans, nuts, and seeds

• Plenty of water and increase water intake during the summer months

Here at the Adult Resource Alliance, we have balanced meals served through both

of our meal programs. We invite you to come and have lunch with us and get the vital nutrition that is so important for older adults. Check out a meal site near you, get a healthy lunch and meet some new people. Just call the location near you, listed below, and reserve your meal the day before by noon. For the Billings and Laurel Meal Sites, we offer a hot meal of the day or a featured monthly salad. In July we are featuring a Summer Chicken Salad with a Poppy Seed Dressing. August, we will feature a Turkey and Mandarin Orange Salad with a Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing.

Activities are offered at our meal sites. Call to find out what is happening at a meal site near you. It’s a great way to plug in and meet new people. We would love to see you at any of the Alliance meal sites.

MEAL SITE LOCATIONS

Billings Meal Sites

Adult

Shepherd Community Center 5541 Haynes Rd | 406-696-1343 Wed.

Worden Senior Center 2445 Main St. | 406-880-6061 Fri.

OUR MISSION is to provide effective services and lead collaborative efforts to ensure seniors remain independent with the highest possible quality of life.

BILLINGS MEALS ON WHEELS

MOW Coordinator: Jaime • MOW Assistant: Stacy • 1505 Avenue D • 406-259-9666

Well, here come those nice warm months that we have wished for all winter long! What are you all doing to stay cool and keep yourselves active? I have increased activities to keep my mind busy, puzzles and games and exercise! Yes exercise! They say it is the key to keeping everything working better! I go out and water the plants and the cold water cools me off. I pull a few weeds in my flower garden which helps me stay a little limber. I always gather great tips by watching my volunteers. They are busy people who know the great benefit of giving time and energy to others. They inspire me!

Another group of inspiring people is our kitchen staff! It takes quite a team to bring Meals on Wheels and Congregate meals out into our community. I wish there was a way for you to see all the hands and hearts that go into this whole process. We have 3 main cooks, along with an assistant cook who all arrive by 5:30 a.m. They work together to prepare a fresh and delicious meal each day.

More staff help fill containers and load items into the coolers that go out on the 17 different Meals on Wheels routes each day. This is always a challenge as many of you know. Every route can change daily so many eyes and hands are needed to get the right items to the right people

In addition to all the cooking, can you imagine the dishes, pots,

and pans that it takes to do all of this? We have an awesome dishwasher who rolls up her sleeves and tackles the dishes from 10-2 and all the above staff pitch in to try to get as many done as possible before she arrives. We all try to break for half an hour at 12:30 each day, when possible, for lunch and a few laughs. At 1:00 p.m. it’s back to work to clean, sanitize and scrub our areas so that we are ready to repeat everything the next day. We take pride in how clean our kitchen is and how hard we work to make the meals healthy, nutritious, and yummy!

Finally, I need to mention our amazing substitute staff who come in when they are needed They bring fun and light to the kitchen with their wonderful attitudes. They make it possible for regular staff to get through the days when the meals are more demanding than the staff can do on their own. (Like Meatballs- do you know how many meatballs it takes for one day’s meal)?! They also cover for staff who might be out on illnesses, surgeries, or vacations.

There is not one person more important than another around here. I tell my drivers and coworkers almost daily how much I rely on them to help me keep everything moving smoothly. This truly is quite a process and not only the volunteers but also the staff who work here truly care about each other and the people we serve.

Bernadine Harris

Roger Olmstead

Adult Resource Alliance’s Meals on Wheels Program (MOW) offers a hot nutritious meal to those over 60 years of age who are homebound. They are delivered by volunteers, Monday through Friday between 10:00 and 12:30. Meals are available on a shortterm basis for persons recovering from a hospital stay or surgery until the person is no longer homebound. If a person is able to prepare their own meals, or lives with someone who can prepare their meals you may be denied.

Jerry Olmstead

Our Shining Stars

Roger and Gerry Olmstead have been with us since November of 2005. They have done many things for the Alliance over the years. However, their biggest “gig” has been delivering Meals on Wheels two times a week. Gerry is a real go-getter who cares deeply about her “people” on the routes and the friends she has met here. Roger, well, Roger always makes sure he gives me a hard time! They are very social and come early to have coffee with the other drivers while waiting patiently in line to give the cooks a hard time before leaving each day. Of course, we try to run out of food while filling their trays so that we must stop to refill, just to get back at Roger. Roger drives and Gerry goes up to the door to deliver the meals. Thank you, Roger and Gerry for being a bright spot in our lives!

Bernadine Harris started driving with her brother Gerald Frank back in 2019. When Geralds health took a turn and he could no longer drive, she took over the route on her own. She tells everyone that doing Meals on Wheels and her exercise program keeps her young. She is a great promoter of delivering MOW’s as she loves it and said she gets more out of it than the people she delivers to! Thanks, Bernadine, you are a shining

star in our community!

Eli Leon started delivering Meals on Wheels in 2017. A couple days a week he would drive his wife, Monica, to work in Billings from the outlining community where they live as she was still working back then. After deliveries, he would eat lunch, go for a walk, and run all their errands, before driving her home after work. Monica joined Eli when she had days off and after retiring, she became a permanent rider with Eli. In addition, to Meals on Wheels, they have also taken on shopping for a few people through our Pantry Pals Program. Besides these programs, they each have a Phone Buddy that they call once a week to check on. These folks have really appreciated the contact and having someone care about them. There are so many ways to serve in the community and Eli and Monica, we thank you for your gift of service through the Alliance.

If you have made it this far, thank you for letting me share about the people who create and deliver the meals that we get to enjoy each day. I sure do appreciate all of you!

15 Turkey Tetrazzini

JULY MENU

Cooks: Jami, Mary, Winter, Amy and Philip

22 Chicken Carbonara

Vegetable

Garlic Bread

Tossed Salad with

Dog on a Bun

Cream

Fish & Side Winders with Tartar Sauce

Peas

Minestrone Soup

Tuna Salad on a Hoagie Roll Fresh Pear

Brownie

Crispy Chicken Salad with Cheese, Tomato Wedge, Boiled Egg & Ranch/ Roll

Salad

Salad Bar Day Cranberry Turkey Salad with Pecans,Tomato Cucumber Salad

Roll

Pineapple Coleslaw Fudge Bar

White Chicken Chili with Tortilla Strips, Cheese, & Sour

Garden Salad

Fresh Orange

Zucchini Bar 25 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Garlic Bread Green Beans

Blueberry Whip WE Birthday

Hawaiian Meatloaf

Baked Potato with Butter and Sour Cream Green Beans

Tropical Fruit

Rice Krispy Treat

Country Fried Chicken with Gravy Mashed Potatoes

Crinkle Cut Carrots

Ambrosia Salad

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter

Frosting

26

Swedish Meatballs

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

Buttered Carrots

Broccoli Salad

Cake

Alliance, Hts, BCC, & Laurel Birthday

29

Sweet & Sour Pork

White Rice

Egg Roll

Sliced Pears

Pudding with Topping 30 Paris Summer

French Dip with Au Jus

French Fries Confetti Salad Chocolate Mousse

Beef Nachos with Black Olives, Tomatoes, Green Onions, Salsa & Sour

Cream Fruit Salad

Mexican Wedding

Brat on a Bun with Sauerkraut

Corn on the Cob

Potato Salad

Ice Cream Bar 2

Salisbury Steak with Gravy

Baked Potato

Butter & Sour Cream

Vegetable

Fruit

Turtle Bar

BILLINGS & LAUREL MEAL SITES BILLINGS & LAUREL MEALS ON WHEELS

AUGUST MENU

29

Sweet & Sour Pork

White Rice

Egg Roll

Sliced Pears Pudding

5

Biscuit with Sausage Gravy

Scrambled

Florentine

Beef Nachos with Black Olives, Tomatoes, Green Onions, Salsa, & Sour Cream

Director: Lorri

Cooks: Jami, Mary, Winter, Amy and Philip

Brat on a Bun with Sauerkraut Corn On the Cob Potato Salad Ice Cream Bar 2

Salisbury Steak

Baked Potato with Butter & Sour Cream

Vegetable

Fruit

Turtle Bar

Pork Sandwich

Creamy Coleslaw Fudge Bar

Strips with Honey Mustard

Cucumber Salad

Country Fried Steak with Gravy Mashed Potatoes

Corn Spinach Salad Fruit Crisp

Chef Salad with Ham, Turkey, Boiled Egg, Tomato Wedges & Cheese

Fish & Chips with Tartar Sauce & Lemon Wedge

Buttered Peas

Lemon Pudding

Rice

Blend

Burrito with Salsa & Sour Cream

Frito Salad

Mushroom Steak with Gravy Mashed Potatoes

Vegetable

Waldorf Salad

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Pork Chop with Cinnamon Apples Stuffing

Vegetable

Carrot Raisin Salad

Cake

Alliance, Hts, BCC, & Laurel Birthday

Rigatoni with Meat

Garlic Bread

Vegetables

Fruit

Ginger Snap Cookie

Subject to Change

Billings Heights Meal Site

South

SITE RESERVATIONS must be made by Noon, at least 1 business day in advance.

CONNECTIONS

BILLINGS COMMUNITY & SENIOR CENTER

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ADULT RESOURCE ALLIANCE

406-657-3050 | 360 N 23RD ST, BILLINGS, MT | WWW.BILLINGSPARKS.ORG

FITNESS BY DESIGN

Dates: 7/2 – 8/29 (no class 7/4) Day(s)

Time Tue & Th 10:00-11:00am

Cost: $40 Resident/$50 Non-resident

Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

Fitness by Design

Dates: 7/8-9/4 (no class 9/2) Day(s) M & W – Time -9:30-10:15am OR 10:30-11:15am

Cost: $40 Resident/$50 Non-resident

Location: Adult Resource Alliance Heights (935 Lake Elmo Drive)

CHAIR STRENGTH

Dates: 7/29-9/25 (no class 9/2) Day(s) M & W Time -10:30am-11:15am or Dates: 8/1-9/26 (no class 9/2) Day(s) M & W Time -10:30am-11:15am Cost: $40 Resident/$50 Non-resident

Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

CHAIR STRENGTH

Dates: 7/2-8/29 (no class 7/4) Day(s) Tue & Th Time -9:30-10:15 or 10:30am-11:15am

Cost: $40 Resident/$50 Non-resident

Location: Adult Resource Alliance Heights (935 Lake Elmo Drive)

CHAIR STRENGTH

Dates 7/2-8/27 Day(s) Tue Time: 1:30pm2:15pm

Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Non-resident

Location: Adult Resource Alliance Main (1505 Ave D)

STRONG AND FIT

Dates:7/2-8/29 (no class 7/4) Day(s) Tue & Th Time: 9:00-9:45am

Cost: $40 Resident/$50 Non-resident Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

CARDIO WALKING/BEGINNER BARRE

Dates: 7/26-8/30 Day(s) M, W & F - Time: 8:30-9:00am

Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Non-resident

Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

GENTLE YOGA

Dates: 7/2-8/27 Day(s) Tue Time: 1:001:45pm

Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Non-resident

Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

GENTLE YOGA

FITNESS CLASSES

Dates: 6/27-8/29 No class 7/4 Day(s) Th Time: 12:0012:45pm OR 1:00-1:45pm Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Nonresident

Location: Adult Resource Alliance Heights (935 Lake Elmo Drive)

GENTLE YOGA - NEW ADD ON DAY.

Dates: 6/27-8/29 (no class 7/2) Day(s) Thur Time: 2:002:45pm Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Non-resident Location: Adult Resource Alliance Main (1505 Ave D)

CHAIR YOGA

Dates: 7/29-9/23 (no class 9/2) Day(s) Monday Time: 1:002:00pm Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Non-resident Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

CHAIR YOGA

Dates: Session 2 -6/27-8/29 no class 7/4 Day(s) Th Time: 1:00-1:45pm Cost: $30 Resident/$40 Non-resident

Location: Adult Resource Alliance Main (1505 Ave D) 30 Minute Abs for Seniors

Dates:7/9-8/27 Day(s) Tuesday Time: 11:15-11:45am Cost: $20 Resident/$30 Non-resident Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

INTRO TO DIABETES

Dates: 8/14-8/28 Day(s) W Time: 5:00-6:00pm Cost: FREE Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.)

MAGIC CITY MOVERS - COFFEE TALK

Cost $5

Pioneer Park - (301 Parkhill Dr. meet by Parks restrooms)

Dates:8/21-10/30 (no meetup 9/4) Day: Wednesday Time: 10:00-11:00am Rose Park (1707 21st ST W meetup by picnic shelter): 8/22-10/31 (no meetup 9/5) Day: Thursday Time: 10:0011:00am

Riverfront Park (7277-7337 State Secondary Hwy 416 Meetup by Shelter 1) Dates: 8/20-10/29 (no meetup 9/3) Day: Tuesday Time: 10:00-11:00am

FITNESS ROOM

Open Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm (last time to start)

Cost: 0.50 donation

Location: Billings Community Center (360 N 23rd St.) Senior Scholarships

Billings Parks and Recreation is dedicated to life-long recreation no matter your economic status. Seniors, age 55+, may be eligible for your Senior Scholarships Program. The program is intended to help seniors with limited income participate in fitness and recreation programs. The fund is a function primarily of donations from our generous community members. 100% of donations to this fund will go directly towards supporting seniors. If you would like to donate or apply for the scholarship, please stop by the Billings Community and Senior Center at 360 N 23rd Street.

BILLINGS COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE JULY 11TH AND 12TH WHILE THE FLOOR IS BEING REFINISHED.

CLOSED

Schedule subject to change based on facility needs. MONDAY 1:00pm Hand & Foot TUESDAY 10:00am Rummikub 1:00pm Scrabble & Shanghai Rummy $0.50/game WEDNESDAY 1:00pm Wood Carving 1:00pm Farkle 1:00pm Bingo $0.50/card THURSDAY 1:00pm Pinochle $1/game 1:00pm Hand & Foot 1:00pm Dominoes

ALLIANCE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Vicki, Volunteer Coordinator • 406-245-6177

Volunteer Opportunities

Alliance Meals on Wheels Program

Substitute Drivers

Billings and Billings Heights

Routes depart from 1505 Ave D or 935 Lake Elmo Dr.

Weekdays 10:00am-12:30pm

We are on the lookout for individuals who have some free time. Join our delightful team of Meals on Wheels delivery drivers, on an as needed basis, receive a healthy dose of satisfaction while you meet, greet, and deliver a nutritious meal to homebound seniors.

Shout Out

TO OUR

Rides Volunteers

Sending out uber thanks to our amazing group of volunteers supporting the Alliance Rides Program. We are grateful for you providing rides to seniors throughout the community.

Connections IN OUR MIDST A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON PEOPLE, PLACES AND

PERSEVERANCE

IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTY

Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy –Or is It?

By Jackie Swiesz

It’s difficult to think about the snow flying when it’s the middle of the summer and nights are warm enough to sleep out under the stars. But for some folks, the thought of freezing temperatures and the threat of losing their home can weigh heavily on those who struggle to age in place. The perfect storm has formed for the unfortunate seniors who have experienced the “Catch-22” situation of pandemicera housing aid expiring, rising rent costs, and skyrocketing inflation. These factors have chipped away at older adults’ fixed incomes for a few years now, which forces many to make hard choices. Should they pay for daily needs such as food and medication or rent/mortgage payments? Adding insult to injury, those who rely solely on the fixed income of Social Security find themselves in the path of the storm that brings them up short every month. Sometimes, they just can’t stretch the dollars enough.

The crisis is particularly acute here in Montana, our state that is home to one of the oldest populations in the country.

Without exception, all of us are subject to the basic needs in life. This is the universal leveling of the playing field; no one is immune. First, our physiological needs must be met, including food, water, shelter, and clothing. Next is safety that includes health and sustainable income to meet our needs. Without these basics, fear sets in, and we panic.

Put yourself in the shoes of an elderly person living here in our own community. Betty has been living in a low-income housing complex for the past five years. She recently had surgery for a torn meniscus and is now trying to recuperate from that. She lives on the second floor of the apartment building. She cannot navigate the stairs, so she’s selling most of her belongings and preparing to move into a temporary shelter. She most likely will have to give up her beloved dog Sophie, a Yorkie mix who has been Betty’s companion for the last ten years. Betty is on the brink of ruin; a bleak future awaits.

But there is a silver lining to the storm clouds. Community

organizers have a deep understanding of how trends are playing out in our local area, and as impromptu storm chasers, they have joined together to help ensure that our older population has their basic needs met, including affordable housing. Instead of uprooting someone and carting them off to what’s now referred to as assisted living, grassroots efforts are being made to keep them in the vicinity where they have lived out most of their adult lives. With a goal to allow seniors to safely age in place with dignity and keep their independence, this is a testimony of community coming together for the good of all.

When I met with Kaleb Perdew, Executive Director of CLDI, he explained the organization’s role in caring for our urban, low-income seniors. “There are three stages: First is Relief, to meet the immediate needs of those at risk of losing their homes. Next is Restoration, to re-establish a safe and secure environment for them. Third is Development, which is the long-term solution. That’s where we (CLDI) come in, we’re good at building pleasant living spaces with ADA accessibility and a fixed rent cost so our older population can maintain independent living for as long as they are able.”

We talked about their focus on the South Side neighborhoods, where residents have a sense of belonging and they want to stay in the area where they raised their families. The most prominent recent project has been Mosaic Senior Living. Over the course of just a few years, CLDI raised the funds to build and house six residents. The cottages were designed deliberately to face each other instead of facing the street. By doing so, a “front porch” community was formed. Instead of isolating in back yards, neighbors interacted with each other and socialized, which is extremely important for older folks who are alone.

One of the key advocates, Linda Deavila, was a CLDI Board Member who just recently passed away. “She always spoke up about keeping our seniors in their own neighborhood, up until the day she passed,” Kaleb told me.

Kaleb described a success story of one of Mosaic’s residents. He had already been a tenant at one of CLDI’s other properties, in a basement unit. But he had limited mobility, so he locked himself up inside and seldom saw the sun. Because CLDI stays in close contact with their tenants, they became aware of his predicament. When the Mosaic apartments became available, he qualified for one. Once he was located there, he connected with neighbors, he could come and go as he pleased, and you could just see the wrinkles in his face fade away. He looked healthy and happy. His daily walks to Rail Line Coffee House and interactions with people brought a bounce in his step, and he lived out his days with real friends, community, and connections.

Community partnerships are essential in addressing the three stages of caring for our older adults. Organizations like HRDC and HomeFront are excellent resources for the Relief component. For someone on the brink of homelessness, emergency aid can be secured.

For example, HRDC’s Emergency Solutions Grand (ESG) offers emergency assistance through Rapid ReHousing and Homeless Prevention services to address homelessness. Rapid Re-Housing helps a homeless individual or homeless family move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing. Homeless Prevention services are available to individuals at risk of homelessness.

For the Restoration stage, HomeFront has three housing programs that can provide rent relief that allows a person to either stay in place or find an affordable home, which gives them the freedom to choose what best meets their needs. Circling back to Betty, because she found out how to reach out to Pam, the Tenancy Support Specialist at HomeFront, her housing crisis was resolved. They were able to place her in an apartment on the main floor of the same building. She didn’t have to worry about walking up the stairs, and she was able to keep her much loved companion Sophie.

HomeFront also partners with Family Services to bring fresh food, vegetables, and fruit, plus staples like milk to the residents in their housing programs.

CLDI actively supports the South Side Senior Center, and partners closely with Adult Resource Alliance, state agencies such as DPHHS, and local churches to advocate for tenants when they see needs arise. For example, CLDI’s property managers see several tenants on a regular

basis, since many come into the office to pay rent with checks each month. There is a personal, friendshipbased relationship that the tenants and staff enjoy. And because they conduct regular home inspections every six months, it gives them an opportunity to assist tenants by limiting the barrier of having to ask for help with things like home repairs.

These are just a few examples of the close connection that our service organizations have here in our community.

Because we are Montanans cut from the same cloth of fierce independence and who work all their lives to make a decent living, it can come as a shock to us that we find ourselves needing help with the essentials –housing, food, transportation, and so forth.

Finding a way to gracefully ask for that help can create a barrier. But every single person I spoke to in these service organizations has a passion and commitment to doing anything they can to preserve the quality of life that each of us deserves. It is not an imposition or burden on them, they unanimously welcome anyone who reaches out to them.

Pam, the HomeFront Tenancy Support Specialist, told me, “There is no shame in asking for help. We offer a hand up, it’s not a handout. It’s a way to shore up until they can stand on their own again.” Kaleb commented that CLDI maintains “high standards of cleanliness, safety, and interactions” with their residents so they can maintain their sense of dignity. He told me, “If we try to place someone in our housing units that my wife and I wouldn’t live in ourselves, we shouldn’t expect anyone else to live there either.”

For those who find themselves in the precarious situations that we’ve described here, just remember that you didn’t create that circumstance; that all of us experience unexpected and unusual situations, it is not permanent, and we can trust that when we reach out there will be someone to chase the storm for us.

It takes a village to build a village.

If we study some other cultures, such as the Fijian, we can take some lessons and apply them to our own community. Fijian indigenous society is very communal, with great importance attached to the family unit, the village, and the vanua (land).

For ethnic Fijians, interpersonal relationships and social behavior are governed by links of kinship. Households affiliate with households, forming an extended family group with extensive social and economic interactions. These roots combine to form subclans within the village where its members locate their homes.

Inclusion and Social Organization

Within these villages, economic property or resources are shared and social organization is very communal. For example, children may be raised up by the collective effort of a community. The traditional cultural idea that ‘nothing is really yours until you have shared it’ pervades. Therefore, behaviors that exhibit materialism or ownership – whether it is of objects, resources, or people – are commonly rejected. By the custom of kerekere, any relative or neighbor can request a favor or ask for something that they need, and it will be willingly provided without any underlying expectation of repayment. In this way, the Fijian character is often extremely generous and inclusive. From a young age, they are taught to offer and share everything they are given.

It is understood that when people share amongst the community, no person will have to go unloved or uncared for.

A sense of personal belonging and economic security is provided for all. This stability of the supply of food and resources is particularly important in those villages that continue a subsistence-farming lifestyle. However, on the other hand, the collectivist culture puts many indigenous Fijians at a disadvantage when they move to the urban areas; they often have a major struggle adjusting to the competitive spirit of the capitalist economy. Nevertheless, this orientation towards inclusion influences Fijians to be very gentle in their demeanor and also very conscious of their neighborly relationships. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/fijian-culture/fijian-culturecore-concepts

LIFE’S Observations…

I was sifting through some boxes of clipped-out old newspaper articles, photocopies of email messages from the early days of that medium, printed out screen shots of various forms of online messages (instant or otherwise) but my frustration was palpable. I couldn't find the memo that must have been sent out some time ago. I still can't find it. I can only paraphrase it. It must have said:

“Dear foolish American,

As of this notice, you are no longer great. Your family history is no longer meaningful or true. Your government is bent on your destruction. This world you now call home will surely implode under it's own weight. Lock your doors and shutter your windows. Don't trust anyone. There is no hope.” There must be a copy of that memo somewhere. I couldn't make that up. Could I?

In the nineties we were gradually settling into a predictable pattern of interest rates sloping toward ever-lowering single digits. That seemed good, even if it was a fabricated truth. Decent paying jobs were growing in availability. Borrowing money from lending institutions at reasonable rates was the norm and life seemed comparatively good. Then in September of 2001 our nation of “Haves” came under a brutal attack by self-perceived “Have-nots” and our nation's confidence was blown to smithereens. This resulted in the longest war in our nation's history and there were no decisive winners. Could it be that a conventional war in today's world may never again produce an undisputed winner? Now, even a small nation can extract enough damage on another that it may take generations to rebuild. Is it worth the cost? Unfortunately, the answer may be YES, but only if it forestalls a fate that could only be worse by comparison.

So I put to you the question, was there ever a time when the United States of America was NOT great? Was there ever a problem so insurmountable that it couldn't be overcome by people, of many extractions, working constructively together with their neighbors? Not yet.

Our Nation of first or second or third generation immigrants put together a durable and amendable Constitution that spoke for and defended all the People. It took the cooperation of all, not just the stubborn resistance of some, to create and maintain the longest lasting democratic republic in the world. Will it soon be stomped out and replaced by something better? Not yet. We value our freedom too much, even when it is messy, at times.

Speaking of immigrants, the tide of favor or disdain for would-be new Americans would ebb and flow with each new war. The American Revolution and the War of 1812 created a great deal of animosity toward the English but in World War I we fought side by side with the Brits and Canadians against the Germans. In World War II there were internment camps to house Japanese-American citizens for fear of what they might do to support their ancestral homeland. German-Americans were often ostracized in their communities but they fought our enemies in Europe and in the Pacific. Japanese-Americans fought the Nazis in Europe, and they all did so with honor because they were Americans. They valued their freedom also.

This year, our current Republican Speaker of the House united with many in his party as well as a contingent of Democrats to pass a number of bills needed to keep our Nation solvent. The USA is not perfect. It never has been. Arguably, it never will be. But when we see true cooperation we will never see it fail.

I believe this.

David Mosdal Guest Columnist

Happenings UNDER THE BIG SKY

ALBERTA BAIR THEATER

TANYA TUCKER: SWEET WESTERN SOUND TOUR

JULY 9th AT 7:30 PM

TICKETS: $95.00, $75.00, $65.00 + non-refundable fees

BORED TEACHERS: THE STRUGGLE IS REAL! COMEDY TOUR

JULY 25th AT 7:30 PM

Bored Teachers presents the 2024 ‘The Struggle Is Real’ Comedy Tour featuring the funniest teacher-comedians in the world!

TICKETS: $35.00-65.00 + non-refundable fees

GIRL NAMED TOM

AUG 3rd AT 7:30 PM

Three siblings unlock one harmony to unite the world as Girl Named Tom. The trio—Bekah, Joshua, and Caleb Liechty— notably made history as “the only group to ever win NBC’s The Voice.” Their inimitable harmony will only continue to resound louder in 2024 and beyond.

TICKETS: $55.00, $45.00 + non-refundable fees

BIG SKY BALLOON RALLY

July 25-28, 2024 | Amend Park | ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER-PERMITTING

Our FREE family friendly event is the largest balloon event in the state of Montana. Weather permitting, we will have mass ascensions each morning at 6am. The fun continues on Saturday, July 27th with our evening Field Festival, featuring food trucks, face painting, live entertainment, kids activities, and a balloon glow.

Event Schedule:

• Thursday, July 25th: 6am Media & Sponsor Flight

• Friday, July 26th: 6am Balloon Launch

• Saturday, July 27th: 6am Balloon Launch; 6pm Field Festival with live music and balloon glow at Dusk

• Sunday, July 28th: 6am Balloon Launch

BILLINGS MUSTANGS

2024 SEASON

HOME GAMES ONLY LISTED

DATES, TIMES, & OPPONENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Any games occurring Tuesday-Saturday begin at 6:35pm; Sunday games begin at 1:05pm at Dehler Park

***Exception for July 4th game which begins at 4:05pm***

• July 2-7 | vs. Northern Colorado Owlz

• July 9-11 | vs. Ogden Raptors

• July 16-21 | vs. Idaho Falls Chukars

• July 30-August 4 | vs. Glacier Range Riders

• August 13-18 | vs. Ogden Raptors

• August 20-25 | vs. Great Falls Voyagers

• August 30-Sept 1 | vs. Glacier Range Riders

DOWNTOWN BILLINGS

ALIVE AFTER 5

THURSDAYS JUN 6 - JUL 25, 2024 AT 5:00 PM

Thurs, July 11th ~ El Wencho at Skypoint ~ hosted by Hooligan’s Sports Bar

Thurs, July 18th~ The Hellroaring at The Monte Bar & Casino, 2824 1st Avenue N

Thurs, July 25th~ The Love Darts, Outside at Kirks’ Grocery, 2920 Minnesota Ave

BILLINGS FIRST FRIDAYS

ART WALK

August 2nd 5pm-9pm

Invite your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors and more to spend each and every First Friday in the heart of our community. Billings First Friday's celebrates and highlights what our local shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and nightlife hotspots have to offer from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm the first Friday of every month. Participating shops and businesses will host special events, offer refreshments & promotions, and sponsor live entertainment. Everyone is welcome to attend!

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Sat. July 13, 2024 at 9:00 am -4:00 pm FREE

Presented by Downtown Billings and Visit Billings: The annual Strawberry Festival is Billings largest vendor street festival. This long-time cherished community event kicks off the summer event season in the heart of our City’s urban center. You’ll experience a rich diversity in arts and crafts, the scents of food-truck fare (from French Crepes, noodle bowls, to BBQ), and live street entertainment as over 100 merchants fill the streets of downtown Billings. The Strawberry festival draws a crowd from all over the northwest region to Downtown Billings (under Skypoint at 2nd Ave N. and N. Broadway) offering fun activities for all ages.

FARMERS MARKETS

EVERGREEN FARMERS MARKET

1540 13TH St W, Billings ~ Thursdays, July 6-September 26 ~ 4-7pm

GARDENERS’ MARKET – AT SOUTH PARK

Thursdays, June 8th – October 5th ~ 4 pm

LAUREL DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET

Corner of 1st St and 1st Avenue – Laurel ~ July 15-October 28 ~ 8am -12pm

YELLOWSTONE VALLEY FARMERS MARKET

Every Saturday from July 20, 2024 to October 5, 2024 8am-12pm, rain-or-shine, at the intersection of N Broadway and 2nd Ave N in Downtown Billings

13TH ANNUAL EUROPEAN CAR SHOW

Saturday, August 17 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Free, open to the public – family friendly

Veterans Park @ Poly and 13th St W

Registration is at 9:00 am, $20.00 per car

WESTERN HERITAGE CENTER

HISTORIC MOSS MANSION NEIGHBORHOOD

(Historic Architecture)

JUL 5 & AUG 16, 2024 AT 10:00 AM

Still some of the most beautiful residences in town, Clark and Yellowstone Avenues were home to Billings’ most influential business and civic leaders. We will explore the stunning architecture and share stories of the legendary residents who called them home.

This tour begins at the corner of Division Street and Clark Avenue. Call if you need directions.

Discover Billings and Yellowstone County! Join our walking tours of historic locations. Tours run about one hour twenty minutes and require comfortable walking shoes. These popular tours will interest both Montana residents and visitors to the State. We are limiting how many people can go – up to 15 people per tour. To reserve your spot please purchase your tickets online or call 406-256-6809.

Most tours are scheduled each Friday morning at 10:00am, June through September. Custom times are also available by request (minimum 7 people). Contact us at 406-256-6809 for more information (Lauren Hunley).

Tickets are available online or at the time of the walk (space permitting): $10 for adults, $5 for students, $3 for children, children under 6 are free (up to 2 per paying adult). We encourage participants to reserve your tour spot.

HISTORIC WALKING TOURS

McKinley School and North Elevation Neighborhood Architecture

JUL 12, 2024 AT 10:00AM

Take a walk with us through Yellowstone County’s first National Register residential district! We’ll explore the history and development of the North Elevation neighborhood and learn about the many architectural treasurers it holds. This tour begins at the corner of 9th and 32nd, near McKinley School. Call 406-256-6809 if you need directions.

HUNTLEY HOMESTEADER DAYS

60TH ANNUAL HOMESTEADER DAYS

Friday, July 12, 2024

The 60th Annual Homesteader Days event will kick off the evening of July 12th, 2024 with the Outdoor Concert event featuring Lonestar, James Carothers and Exit 53. The concert will be held in the beautiful, 7-acre Homesteader Park located at 760 Railroad Highway, Huntley, MT. Homesteader Park is 17 miles east of downtown Billings. There will be lots of room, plenty of shade trees, and a park full of nice folks and great music.

Friday Schedule of Events

• 4:30pm: Gates open

• 5:00pm: Food, beer, and other drinks available on grounds

• 6:30pm: James Carothers

• 8:00pm: Lonestar

• 10:00pm: Exit 53 (After-Party)

• Beer garden open until 12:30am

• No coolers please!

• NO re-entry!

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Homesteader Days Run kicks off at 8:15 am. Gates will open at 10:00 am and Craft/Vendor Show runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Homesteader Days Parade will start at 11:00 am, followed by other fun activities, such as carnival games, carnival rides for smaller children, and Fun on the Farm games. There will be great food and beverages available in the park. Lions Club will be serving their famous BBQ Beef and BBQ Chicken dinners. Local organizations will be serving hamburgers, tacos, nachos, pie/ice cream, and soft drinks. Live music will play in the Beer Garden from 8:00 pm to 12:00 pm and there will be a live auction at 9:00 pm. The Beer Garden will be open from 11:00 am to 12:30 am and fireworks will be shot off at dusk.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• 8:15am: ‎Homesteader Run

• 10:00am: Gates open to park

• 10:00am – 4:00pm: Craft/Vendor Show

• 11:00am: ‎Homesteader Parade

• 11:30am – 2:00pm: Songdog Serenade by Coors Tent

• 12:00pm – 6:30pm: Kids Carnival Rides/Games

• 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Fun on the Farm Games

• 5:30pm: Greased Pig Race

• 8:00pm – 12:00am: TBD in Beer Garden

• 9:00pm-11pm: Teen Dance

• 9:00pm: Beer Garden Live Auction

• Dusk: Fireworks! (If permissible)

• 12:30am: Beer garden closes

MONTANA FAIR

August 9-17, 2024 Admission

• Gate Admission for MontanaFair is $12 for adults, $8 for kids ages 6-12, and those 65 and older.

• Free for Kids 5 and younger

• Ride tickets and wristbands are not included with gate admission Hours

• August 9 – 4pm to Midnight

• August 10-17 – Noon to Midnight

• Shopping Vendors: Close at 10pm

ST JOHN’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

St John’s Campus- 6:30 – 8:30pm

July 11 – Beatles Tribute

July 18- Beach Boys Tribute

July 25- Elton John Tribute

August 1- Paper Flowers – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

JULY 6TH Foodie Day Tour via the back roads of Montana. Take a day off. Hop on the motorcoach as we discover areas of interest and tasty foods along the way. $ 212/pp. $100 Deposit to reserve seat. Balance due June 3rd, ‘24.

JULY 23RD 13-Day Alaska Cruising Aboard the Noordam. Tour highlights a narrated cruise aboard the Riverboat Discovery to Old Chena Village and an Alaskan Salmon-bake dinner, Train ride from Fairbanks to Denali National Park and more. RT airfare included. Start’g $6099/ppd; add $510 for port charges, govt. taxes & fees.

AUGUST 4TH 9-Day National Parks of the Southwest. Highlighting a panoramic tour of Salt Lake City, 2 nights in Moab, guided tour of Arches National Park, a scenic float trip along the Colorado River, visit Monument Valley with an included traditional Navajo lunch, and a whole lot more. Starting at $4099/ppd., including RT airfare from Billings. Add $1449 for single.

AUGUST 17TH Yes, it is a Mystery Tour! $218/pp. $100 Deposit to reserve seat. Balance due July 10th, 2024.

SEPTEMBER 21ST 9-Day New England Rails and Sails. … $3799/ppd; add $1499 for single. Call for availability.

SEPTEMBER 27TH 11-Day Motor Coach Trip to Niagara Falls (Canadian side) & Toronto. Tour highlights guided tours of Niagara Falls and Toronto, enjoy the Hornblower Niagara Cruise, a gaming stop at Fallsview Casino, visit Casa Loma Castle and more. Travelers must have a valid passport. $1763/ppd; add $373 for single.

SEPTEMBER 27TH 8-Day America’s Music Cities. Highlighting a show at the Grand Ole Opry, 2-night stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, sightseeing tour of Nashville’s Honky Tonks and Music Row, visit the Birthplace of ‘Rock n Roll’ and much more as you travel through Memphis and New Orleans. Call for brochure.

$3749/ppd including round trip airfare. Add $1129 for a single supplement.

OCTOBER 30TH 12-Day Best of Israel. On hold at this time.

NOVEMBER 3RD 7-Day Tour of Unforgettable Hawaii, November 3rd9th. ALOHA!

$4075/ppd; add $1140 for single. $875 Deposit. Balance due August 5, 2024 Fee includes round-trip air from Billings/ Honolulu!

FEBRUARY 12TH, 2025. 3-Day Annual SnowCoch Tour. More details to follow.

The Resource Center Staff can assist you with evaluating your Medicare D plans for 2024.

• Call The Resource Center at 406.259.5212 and request to be put on a Medicare D Worksheet mailing list. They will be mailed out on 9/15/24. After 9/15/24 requests will be mailed or emailed out when requested.

• Fill out the worksheet completely and return it to The Resource Center. If there is missing information or an unsigned release, we won’t be able to complete the evaluation.

• Once we receive it, we will use the information provided to assess whether your current plan is a good choice for 2024, or if you should change to another plan. If a new plan is a better choice, we will offer an appointment to assist you with enrollment, if you like.

• We will begin reviewing plan options after October 1st.

Remember each year the plans can change dramatically so it is important to check your plan each year

BE AWARE OF JUROR SCAMS AFFECTING FEDERAL COURTS

☛ People are being targeted by phone calls, email and messaging scams threatening them with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service. In the communications, recipients are pressured to provide confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. The scammers threaten recipients with fines and jail time if they do not comply. These communications are fraudulent and are not connected with the U.S. courts. Please note that the U.S. District Court does not summon jurors via email. DO NOT open any links in an email that purports to summon you for federal jury service.

☛ The U.S. Marshals Service is also warning the public of a nationwide telephone scam involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers or law enforcement officials seeking to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty. The U.S. Marshals Service does not call anyone to arrange payment of fines over the phone for failure to appear for jury duty or any other infraction. In order to appear more credible, the scammers may even provide information like badge numbers and the names of actual federal judges and courthouse addresses.

☛ If you are called by someone who says there is a warrant for your arrest related to missed federal jury duty, do not make any payments to them. Neither the U.S. Marshals Service, nor the U.S. District Court, will ever call to request payment of fines over the phone for failure to appear for jury duty.

More information can be found at Jury Scams | District of Montana | United States District Court (uscourts.gov)

Kylie, Caregiver Support Coordinator 406-259-5212

Aging Mastery Playbook

Brought to you by the National Council on Aging PART 3 OF A PART 4 SERIES:

Exploring Deeper into 3 Dimensions of Aging Well

How to Plan a Vacation - Focus on the Family

Aging Mastery Playbook, by the National Council on Aging, put together an outline for what their experts have spent 65 years discovering, how to age well. They establish six dimensions, that though may not be a perfect fit for everyone, just taking away a few ideas and applying them to your everyday life will lead to a more fulfilling life while aging. The six dimensions of aging well are Gratitude and Mindfulness, Health and Well-being, Finances, Future Planning, Connections and Community, Creativity and Learning, and Legacy and Purpose. Each section will give you guideposts so you can make small steps to changing your life in significant ways.

Mindfulness and memory work together. Our memories shape who we are and connect us to our world. We can find ways to help our memory by applying mindfulness techniques such as Active Attention by focusing our mind. You can recall where you placed something by trying to close your eyes and picture nearby objects or remembering what you were doing or wearing at the time you had the object. You can also use it to recollect an event or person by attending to the details, such as looking around and describing the scene or how a person looks then describing it to yourself.

Health and well-being are very important in aging

A message from Kylie:

Are you interested in creating easy-to-follow pathways to get the most from life?

Limited copies of The Aging Mastery Playbook are available at the Resource Center.

For book availability inquiries, please call 406-259-5212.

CARETIME Caregiver Support Group

PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MUST RSVP PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE (NO LATER THAN THE DAY BEFORE THE MEETING). WHEN YOU RSVP, PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH LOCATION YOU WILL BE ATTENDING.

Contact Kylie at 406-259-5212.

Virtual and call-in options available if you are unable to attend in-person.

masterfully. Aristotle once said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Each part of the health and well-being workout will work together and become more powerful than when done alone. The workout sections include eating right, exercise, hydration, injury prevention stretching, sleep, and full body tune-up healthcare. By making good nutrition choices, engaging in moderate physical activity, hydrating often, taking necessary steps to prevent falls and avoid injuries, getting 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep per night, and using preventative healthcare you will be well on your way to optimal aging. This can sound overwhelming, but by taking one step at a time, you can slowly implement each goal.

The third dimension of aging well is the financial journey. Your financial fitness journey is like planning a trip. Secure your financial well-being like you would plan a trip: reserve your accommodations, pack only what you need, watch out for bumps in the road, and don't forget the end of the road. These actions will help you to organize your financial life and track your cash flow. These guideposts will help you to think about downsizing if needed and clearing out the clutter of unused items in your life. Bumps in the financial journey can be unpredictable, but if you have a plan in place, it is easier to weather the storm and help others follow your wishes.

JULY 10TH 1:00 – 2:00 PM

TOPIC:

SKY SENIOR SERVICES AUGUST 14TH 1:00 – 2:00 PM

TOPIC:

SUPPORTERS

Thank you to each one of you who made a contribution during the months of April and May 2024!

You truly are making a positive difference in the lives of seniors in our community.

Jerry Achten

Larry & Barbara Adams

Jane Ahlquist

Gene & Bobi Allard

Bernard Allen

Laura Alvin

Bonnie Ambuehl

Catherine Andersen

Patricia Anderson

Greg & Susan Ando

Anonymous

Ruth Armstrong

Darrell & Susan Asbell

Timothy & Betty Ballou

Carol Beam

Ray & Jean Becker

Lee Bennett & Joel Brester

Patricia Bentley

Mike & Lauretta Bentz

Barbara Berg

Donald Bernhardt

Craig Blom

Cathlene Bower

Diane & Mike Boyett

Bill Bray

Garry & Kathy Brayko

Cora Brew

Joseph Brookshier

Duane & Debbie Brown

Gloria Brown

Roland Brown

Ross & Joyce Brown

Carolyn Brubaker

Imelda Brychta

Tom & Patti Bryson

Steve Budde

Linda Caldwell

John & Karren Cannon

Rita Cetrone

William Chadwick

Mary Chapman

Chau Kitchen

Mary & Frank Cipech Chari-

table Trust

Dick & Joyce Clayton

Ronald & MaryAnn Conboy

Joe Cook

Cheryl Cormier

Jim & Virginia Court

Susan Cranston

Brian & Kathleen Crawford

John & Judy Dailey

Donald & Maria Davidson

Barbara Dean

Evelyn Dempsey

Dick & Sue DeVries

Edie & Greg Dibble

Rebekah Donaldson

Marlin & Sharon Dunlap

Darlene Durney

Elaine Egan

Dennis & Lynn Ehresman

Shirley Elliott

Gail & Eunice Ellison

Linda Elumbaugh

Rita Emond

Nancy Englert

James Etzel

John Fischer

Teresa Fischer

Jim Fletcher

Judy Flugstad

Doris Frank

Doug Frette

Mary Lee Fuqua

Randy & Terri Gabel

Steven & Alice Garr

Julanne Gauger

Debra Goodheart

Susan Greer

Caron Griffith

Joan Griffith

Marion Grummett

Bob & Maribeth Habeck

Lucille Habel

Gregg & Marcia Hafner

Beth Hall

Alice Hannahs

Jenny Hanson

Judith Hanson

Ronald & Marilee Harakal

Gail Harmoning

Donna Hightower

Heather Hirsch

Pam & Mike Hofferber

Cliff & Faye Holm

Jo Horton

Delano Hotchkiss

Steve Howe

Roy & Dolores Howerter

Jim & Judy Hughes

Doyce & Carol Hutson

Donna Ingwaldson

Leona Irvine

Jean Jackson

Ruth Jackson

Phylis Johnson

JoAnn Jurica

Jerry & Pam Kaiser

Glenda Kaufman

Aiko Kawano

Robert & Ardyce Kelly

Kathy Keneally

Becky Kensinger-Polinski

Jeff & Cynthia Kessler

Jake Ketterling

Tom & Moireen King

Bonnie Jean Kirwin

Dorothy Knudtson

Michele Koch

Rae Jean Koch

Garry & Linda Krieger

Edward & Colleen Kriskovich

David Krueger

Joyce Krueger & Michael

Squires

Glenn Kudrna

Raymond & Donna Kuntz

Grace Lardy

Wayne & Millie Leischner

Cheryl Leonard

Michael & Carol Lepore

Lecia & Philip Letz

Michalea Lewis

Marchia Link

Edeen Linsky

Duane & Trish Loken

Robert Lough

Jerry & Beth Madsen

Sharon Mars

Kelly Martinson

Michael & Jan Maxwell

Shirley McDermott

Brian & Beverly McHugh

Dave & Lynd McManamen

Valerie McMurtry

Norma Mekelburg

Lorli Mercer

Roberta Meyers

Pauline Mishler

Pat Mitchell

Lois Morrison

Delbert & Dina Moser

Donna Mullin

Mark Munkirs

Karen Muri

Sherrie Murray

Irene Nava

Bruce & Susan Nelson

Betty Nesmith

Philip & Janet Ness

Kathy Niles

Joyce Nitschke

Gail Norman

Trish Olsen

JoAnn Ostermiller

Geraldine Peeler

Bruce & Bernice Phillips

Bob & Gladys Pierce

Harold & Sue Plooster

Barbara Pollari

Lorri Pool

DeWayne & Renee Prinkki

Marcella Prinkki

Betty Propp

Katricia Pugh

Erika Purington

Marsha Putnam

Bobbie Rafferty

Janyth Rasmussen

John Reamy

Jim Reay

Kim Redding

Alan & Kathy Redman

Charles & Audrey Reed

Edgar Reed

Dorothy Renner

Susan Rhodes

Ella Rider

David Ridgway & Nancy

Strimgren Ridgeway

Germaine Riesinger

Delores Roebling

Linda Roers

Kristen Rose

Marilee Ryniker

Curt Sauber

Bob & Betty Saxbury

Terri Schaak

Marilan Schaefer

Kathy Schoenbeck

Wilma Schroeder

Richard & Sharon Schwab

Beverly Schwabe

Debra Schwabe

Fred & Pam Scott

Cindy Shrader

Richard & Elizabeth Sieckman

Kent & Mary Sielbach

Nancy Sinclair

Jo Anne & Kenneth Sipes

Barbara L. Smith

Beverly R Smith

Ginni Smith

Ronda Smith

Richard & Sharon Soapes

Gary & Mary Garrow Splittberger

Peggy Steckel

Gayle Stewart

Marla Lou Sump

Carole Tasker

The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation Inc

Jean Thompson

Joan Torno

Barb Tuell

Nancy Venable

Mark & Val Vinger

Harold M. & Carol A. Wahl

Laurel Walker

Norma Walter

Eugene & Cathy Wasia

Ruth Waterfall

Jane Weaver

Amy Lea Weber

Hugh & Sandra Weiss

Amy Wells

Bob & Peggy Wendorff

Shayne & Terri Wiggins

Connie Wittman

Lisa Wolfendale

Bette M Wolff

Gary & Kathi Workman

Geraldine Yanc

Eileen Zahakos

Louise Zokan-Delos Reyes

Elsa Zorn

Helen Zottnick

Florence Zundel

Memorials in Memory of

Carol Allen

Friends Bunco Group

Joan Goodale

Randy & Jennifer Strending

George, Elizabeth, & Rick Keiser

Kay Marker

Roma Leligdowicz

Michael & Janet Devous

Annette & Darrell Gillespie

Sandra Haney

Marian & Linda Leligdowicz

Melvin & Arleen Nafts

Joe & Nancy Ruby

Kathy Ruff

Carleen Worley

Lydia Maier

Phillip & Ruth Reed

Layne & Myrna Rolandson

Louis Merchen

Bodil Merchen

Georgia Moore

Marion Moore

Charles Myers

Debbie & Don Peterson

Dennis Wagner

Randy & Jennifer Strending

William Wilson

Angeline Ettleman

FRIDAY JULY 12TH

12:30P.M.

COMMUNITY CRIME: DRUGS AND GANGS

Adult Resource Alliance in Billings Heights is excited to host a presentation by Stacey Zinn. Stacy is a retired Resident Agent in Charge of Montana for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). She will inform and address some of the crime issues plaguing Billings recently. Stacey will share her wisdom of drugs and gang activities around here, around the state, and nationally. She will also answer questions that we, as a community, may have. Please plan to attend.

OUR COMMUNITY MEAL SITE UPDATES

ADULT RESOURCE ALLIANCE

1505 Avenue D • Reservations: 406-259-9666 • Mon thru Fri • 11-12:30

We will celebrate the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics in the last week of July into August. Pick any day of the week to have a great hot lunch or featured salad. July is the Summer Chicken Strawberry Salad and August is Turkey and Mandrin Orange. We will be plugged into the Olympic games and do a little activity ourselves. In anticipation of the host country being France, the kitchen has planned a special themed lunch on Tuesday, July 30th. Reservations are due the day before by noon. Go Team USA!

August will usher in hot days and warm nights, which means our Country Fair Week begins. We have a deep heritage beginning with the Midland Empire Fair to Montana Fair to date in our valley. We will hold our own fair exhibits here at our 1505 Avenue D Meal Site. Local artists are always encouraged to enter original works. Dates run Aug 12-16. They are as follows:

Mon, (Aug 12) Enter a Bird House

Tues, (Aug 13) Enter a Sunflower Arrangement

Wed, (Aug 14) Enter a Metal piece of Art

Thurs, (Aug 15) Enter an original painting or two

Register with Mary Beth at the Avenue D Meal Site by contacting her at 406-259-9666. It’s never too late to live your best life!

We are over the moon to put on an Antique Roadshow here at the Alliance on Wednesday, August 21st! Over the years, we have had the most incredible antiques brought in to this location as people downsize and share on theme days. This is how it works:

Eat lunch (reservations by August 20th by noon, over 60 is $5.00) While you eat lunch, your antique will be evaluated. Join in the presentation and evaluation of the antiques at 1:00. If you have questions, call Tammi at 406-259-9666 ext 233. See insert

—Mary Beth

MEAL SITE UPDATES

HEIGHTS MEAL SITE

935 Lake Elmo Dr • Reservations: 406-606-1170

Monday thru Friday at 11:45

How did we go from snow to so many dandelions?

Our meal site WILL BE CLOSED on July 4th and 5th for Independence Day! Have a wonderful weekend!!! Remember we have frozen meals for $3.50 if you need a meal or two for the long holiday weekend. (Or even if you’re binge-watching M*A*S*H)

It’s Summer and it’s hot. Be sure to pace yourselves by keeping cool and hydrated! Drink plenty of water.

The Heights Mealsite fellowship is still strong. In addition to great lunches, there are activities like Mexican Train, bingo and exercise classes. We would like to get other games going too… maybe pinochle, farkle, cribbage, hand and foot, or something else. Please share any ideas with Janlyn or Marlene while you’re at the Heights Adult Resource Alliance. You can also call Tammi at (406)259-9666 and share your ideas with her. Let’s fill our building with fun!

—Marlene & Janlyn

BILLINGS COMMUNITY CENTER

360 N. 23rd • Reservations: 406-259-9666 • Monday thru Friday at 12:00

Welcome to the Billings Community Center meal site. We’re located on North 23rd Street, right behind Tiny’s Tavern. Summer is SO hot. Want to get out of the heat? Please come and join us for lunch in our air-conditioned dining room. Not only do we have tempting hot meals available, but we also have freshly made salads. Meals are offered Monday through Friday at 12:00. Be sure to reserve your meal the day BY noon to insure a meal. Just call (406)850-6010 or sign up while you’re at the center. We would love to have you join our luncheon community. Thought for the day: When you get the chance, dance!

BILLINGS COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE

WHILE THE FLOOR IS BEING REFINISHED. Please enjoy lunch at one of the other Adult Resource Alliance meal sites.

JULY 11TH AND 12TH

HUNTLEY SENIOR CENTER

37 Minecha Avenue • Reservations: (406)698-6525

1st and 3rd Thursday at 12:00

Hopefully summer has finally arrived. With all the rain and snow in May, I was wondering if summer ever would arrive. The month of May showered us with some amazing skies and beautiful Northern Lights. We are so lucky to live in the State of Montana.

We celebrated Mother’s Day, and many of the mothers honored us with their life stories. It was so awesome to hear about their children and grandchildren. Isn't it funny that we can share time together and yet not really know about their families or their background? This will be a tradition we hope to continue.

Hope everyone has a wonderful summer traveling, sharing time with family and friends, watching their gardens and yards grow more beautiful every day.

We will only meet on the third Thursday of July and August. September will put us back on schedule the first and third Thursdays of the month. Please feel free to join us for a delicious lunch anytime.

LAUREL SENIOR CENTER

720 South 4th Street • Reservations: 406-628-7571

Monday thru Friday at 12:00

If you haven’t been here yet, it’s not too late. Laurel is 4th of July Fantastic! Speaking of fantastic, give the meals at the Laurel Senior Center a try. Serving Monday through Friday at noon. Just give us a call (406)628-7571 the day before and let us know you are coming. The menu is printed in Prime Connections. Meals are $5 for those 60 years and older.

In May, we were able to catch a view of the Northern Lights. We also have a great view of the pond and its wildlife from the Senior Center Windows. One of the best views in town! The second and fourth Sundays Laurel has a pot-luck Pinochle party, eating at 12:30 and playing at 1:00. Drop by and join us.

Mary & Amy

SHEPHERD MEAL SITE

5541 Haynes Road • Reservations: 406-696-1343 • Wednesday at 12:00

Summer is in full swing, gardens are growing, families are on vacation visiting grandparents and enjoying the extra daylight ... Get out and enjoy the beauty of Montana. Be sure to include lunch at noon on Wednesday at the Shepherd Community Center. RSVP with Dawn B each week no later than NOON on Monday, (406)696-1343, for lunch on Wednesday.

On July 10th, we are honored to have the Shepherd Lions Club serve us a BBQ lunch. RSVP with Dawn B so we will have an accurate head count. Our twice weekly exercise program is on hiatus for the season, but the Men's Coffee Hour will continue every Thursday throughout the summer. Updates on programing will be announced on Wednesday at lunch. We welcome visitors and new members. Come enjoy lunch and stay for BINGO. Don’t forget that we celebrate birthdays on the 4th Wednesday of each month with birthday cake!

—Roberta SOUTH PARK

901 S 30th St • Reservations: 406-256-6413 Monday and Friday at 11:45

At the South Park Senior Center, Monday and Friday lunches are served up by the Adult Resource Alliance. You can choose a hot meal or our monthly featured salad. July is featuring our most popular salad, the summer chicken strawberry salad with a poppy seed dressing. Loaded with strawberries, pecans, and more, it’s a big hit on a hot summer day. Give it a try! Call the center at (406)256-6413 by noon the day before for a reservation.

There is always something fun to do. Check out the pictures with the crazy hats our participants designed for Mother’s Day. The folks here are young at heart for sure! Stop in and eat, play, or just socialize. We would love to see you.

WORDEN

VFW Hall • Main Street • Reservations: 406-880-6061 • Fridays at 12:00

What are Worden Seniors doing?

Worden Seniors have been having lots of fun! Neil from the Huntley Project Museum visited and brought several antique gadgets for us to try and identify. We loved it! Many of us having memory issues remembered some of the objects from our childhood. Neil will be coming again, so be sure to join in the fun.

Rubie shared his garden plants with us to encourage us to get out and get planting. The project also helped contribute over $200 to our building project.

We got a refresher course on how to use the defibrillator from Meri. Many thanks to Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative for providing the funds for this valuable tool.

Danielle, Meri, and Val continue to lead us in exercises each week. We also learn exercises to do at home. We all need exercise to keep us moving, and help with our balance.

At our weekly Friday lunch, we are continuing to play bingo, plinko, 50/50,as well as listen to music, participate in the healthy basket raffle, and enjoy each other's company. I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather, taking walks, and marveling at the lovely flowers and birds in this beautiful place we call home.

—Janet

WEST END MEAL SITE

King of Glory Church • 4125 Grand Avenue

Reservations: 406-259-9666 • Tuesday and Thursday at 12:00

The Adut Resource Alliance provides lunch twice a week at the King of Glory Church on the west end of Billings. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can get a hot meal or a salad for just $5.00 if you are 60 or older. On August 15th, we will be celebrating our west end being open for two years. Be sure and join the party! Please check out our menu in Prime Connections and call (406)259-9666 to make a lunch reservation the day before. The Alliance would like to send congratulations out to Marilyn Campbell and Billings Senior Citizens Inc. for being awarded First Federal Bank and Trust’s Community Commitment Program. Because of Marilyn’s work in the community and her commitment to senior citizens in Billings, Billings Senior Citizens Inc. was the recipient of the award in April.

At the Adult Resource Alliances west end meal site location, Billings Senior Citizens Inc. provides activities, snacks, and beverages before and after lunch. Please come for lunch, meet new friends, and maybe even play a game of Farkle or Pinochle. We welcome any and all to join us!

West

End 2nd Anniversary Celebration

Celebrating our second year serving the west end of Billings at the King of Glory Church.

Thursday, August 15th at noon

4125 Grand Avenue

SPECIAL CELEBRATORY MEAL AND DESSERT ENTERTAINMENT AND DOOR PRIZES

Reservations must be made by Thursday, August 8th

Sign up at the meal site or call (406) 259-9666

MEAL SITE MENUS

WORDEN MENU

JULY

7/05 Closed – Happy Independence Day

7/12 Beef enchilada, Spanish rice, refried beans, mixed fresh berries, *birthday cake and ice cream

7/19

Chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, tossed salad, strawberry pretzel salad

7/26 Roast beef, gravy, baked potato with butter and sour cream, glazed carrots, fruit, *dessert

AUGUST

8/02

8/09

Chicken ala king, biscuits, broccoli, cherry salad, *birthday cake and ice cream

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, tossed salad, watermelon, cookie

8/16 Sweet and sour pork, rice, peas, pineapple and coconut, *dessert

8/23 Bacon cheeseburgers, tomato slices, onion slices, pickles, chips, Waldorf salad, *cookie

8/30

Marinated chicken breasts, garlic mashed potatoes, mixed vegies, grapes, pudding

SHEPHERD MENU

JULY

7/3 Sub sandwiches w/ lettuce and tomato slices, potato chips, macaroni salad, watermelon

7/10 Lion’s BBQ

7/17 Chicken strips, coleslaw, steamed

broccoli, strawberry salad

7/24 Spaghetti & meatballs, bread sticks, Ceasar salad, cinnamon applesauce, *Birthday Cake

7/31 Brats w/ bun, sauerkraut, three bean salad, fresh fruit, chocolate chip cookies

AUGUST

8/7 BBQ pork ribs, potato salad, green beans, fresh fruit

8/14 Scalloped potatoes and ham, slice of bread (white & wheat), carrots & peas, apple slices

8/21 Roast Beef w/ gravy, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, corn, apple crisp with whipped topping

8/28 Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican corn, tossed salad, peaches, *Birthday Cake

HUNTLEY MENU

JULY

7/18 Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner roll, carrots, fresh fruit, *birthday cake

AUGUST

8/15 Chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, broccoli, fresh fruit, *birthday cake

CUSTER MENU

JULY

7/01 Taco salad with Fritos, grapes, no bake cookies

7/04 Closed for Independence Day

7/08 Philly cheesesteak casserole,

BUS SCHEDULE

CUSTER BUS TO BILLINGS

2 nd and 4 th Tuesday of Every Month

Call 406-861-4259 for Reservation

7/11

French fries, peaches, fudge bar

Soup with cold cut sandwiches, Caesar salad, apples, Jell-o cake

7/15 Cook’s Choice

7/18 Chicken stir fry, garlic bread, pears, 7-layer bar

7/22 Meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, roll, green beans, yellow cake

7/25 French dip, coleslaw, watermelon, blonde brownie

7/29 Pork roast, baked potatoes, garden salad, applesauce, fruit cocktail cake

AUGUST

8/01 Enchiladas, refried beans, cottage cheese, veggie tray, fruit

8/05 Cook’s Choice

8/08 Bacon cheeseburger, potato salad, mixed melons, zucchini cake

8/12

Goulash, garlic bread, spinach salad, fruit, ice cream sundaes

8/15 Chicken strips, baked beans, Italian pasta salad, strawberry pretzel salad

8/19 Beef tips over noodles, peas, creamy grape salad, roll, chocolate cake

8/22 Cracked out chicken tater tot casserole, garden salad, fruit cocktail, lemon bar

8/26 Chef salad with ham, turkey, egg, tomato wedge, cheese, and ranch dressing, roll, cantaloupe, pudding

8/29 Bacon, potato, egg hash with biscuits and gravy, orange slices, banana bread

*MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE

LAUREL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

Within Laurel: Mon-Fri• 10am-4pm Laurel to Billings: 1st & 3rd Tues Afternoons EVERYONE WELCOME! Call 406-628-4796 for Reservation