Senior Center Newsletter - 2013 December

Mary Ann Young Senior Center Newsletter December 2013 Mary Ann Young Senior Center Mission Statement: “To enrich the lives of older adults by providing educational, recreational, nutritional, social, informational, and volunteer opportunities in a relaxed, friendly environment.”

Senior Center Staff: Shelley Johnson, Director Ann Genosky, Coordinator

Newsletter Assemblers: Ivan Arndt Jim Grant Maxine Nystrom Lori Schintgen Isabelle Freeberg Jackie Durkot Rita Henke Patty Sandin

*If you visit the Center weekly, please save on postage and let us know you will pick up an issue of the newsletter.* This newsletter is made possible through the continued support of the City of Blaine.

9150 Central Avenue NE – Blaine MN 55434 (763) 786-9375 – (763) 780-4318

Mondays 10:45a 1:00p 1:00p 1:00p 1:00p 2:30p 6:00p

Enhanced Fitness-12/2, 12/9 Prize/Penny Bingo-12/2 Penny Bingo Nickel Bingo-12/30 Senior Bowling at Brunswick Zone Health Insurance Appts.-12/16 Garden Club -12/9

Tuesdays (Closed 12/24) 9:00a Line Dance 9:00a Santa’s Food Shelf pick up-12/3 11:00a Holiday EntertainmentBy Mary Hall- 12/10 11:00a New Year’s Party w/entertainer 12/31 11:15a Wii Bowling Banquet-12/17 12:00p McKinley Elem. Choir-12/17 1:00p Blood Pressure Checks-12/3, 12/31 1:00p Progressive “500” Cards-except 12/10 1:15p Progressive “500” Cards-12/10 5:30p T.O.P.S. weigh-in, 6:00 pm mtg.

7:00p Woodcarving Group

Wednesdays (Closed 12/25) 9:30a 10:00a 10:00a 11:00a 11:30a 12:45p 1-3p 1:00p 2-4p 6-8p

1:00p Open Cribbage-play 6 games 1:00p Open Scrabble (new)

Saturdays 9:00a 10:00a 11:00a 1-5p

Beginner Line Dance Advanced Beginner Line Dance Intermediate Line Dance Line Dance Party-12/21

Sundays 1-4:30p North Country Jamboree performs- 12/15 2:00p MN Woodcarver’s Assoc. Mtg12/8

Access our Website Direct Link: http://www.BlaineParks.com and then click on the Senior Center page. Choose from the list of topics by clicking on your selection:

Amenities

Current Menu

Calendar of Events

Current Newsletter

Programs and Events

Anoka County Services

Decorate the Sr. Center-12/4 Computer Q & A Session-12/4 -------------------------------------------------------State Services-Blind-by appt.

B-Day Party entertainment-12/18 Looking for Coumadin Workshop-12/11 Something to Do ?

Bunco Dice Game -12/4 The Mary Ann Young Senior Center Woodcarving Group is open Monday through Friday 8:30 Birthday Bingo w/prizes!-12/18 am to 4:30 pm and at other Hand and Foot Card Game specified times. Stop in and check Line Dance-varied levels

Thursdays 9-noon Home Movie Drop Off-12/12 9:30a Beginning Bridge 10a Defensive Driving Class-12/5 1:15p Activity Comm. Meeting-12/12 1:00p Movie: “Christmas Shoe”- 12/19 6-8p Intermediate Line Dance

it out!

FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM:

For Seniors 60+: Would you like to “Stretch Your Food Dollars?” Would you like to have some extra dollars to buy fresh fruits and vegetables?

Are higher prices for gasoline, heating & a/c, etc. leaving you with fewer Fridays dollars to buy quality food?

Contact your 9:00a Foot Care appointments-12/13 10:00a Plastic Canvas/Crafts–12/6, 12/20 Senior Outreach Worker for more information about this program at 7631:00p Enhanced Fitness-12/6 1:00p Senior Bowling at Brunswick Zone 783-4741, or for those under 60 call Karen at 763-783-4892.

Country Music

Senior Dining

Join us at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center M-F for a nutritious, well-balanced, tasty Join Gary Clark and meal at 12:00 noon in a musicians for a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. real taste of country Make your dining reservations three business rd music on the 3 days in advance to secure your meal. The Sunday of each suggested donation is $3.50 for those 60 years month from 1-4:30p.m. It’s of age and older, and the cost is $6.50 for awesome, it’s free…don’t those under age 60. Starting in 2014, the miss out, join the fun! new suggested donation will be $4, and for Next date is December 15th. those under 60 years of age-the cost is $7.

at its Best!

2nd Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Brown Rice

Wood Carving News Plan to join us for Woodcarving Group on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 pm lead by J.D. Hughes: 763-434-4202, and/or on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm lead by Wes Spadgenske.

They will be on hand to assist as needed and to answer questions about carving. Start from the beginning, or continue to work on your own project with people sharing a common interest. All levels are welcome! Join us for some relaxed conversation. The MN Woodcarver’s Association meeting is slated for Sunday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. and is open to one and all.

4th Beef Chili w/Beans 5th Herb Roasted Quarter Chicken 6th Breaded Pork Cutlet Or Chicken Cutlet 10th Beef Pot Roast w/Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Vegetable, Roll, Red Velvet CakeHoliday Dinner!

11th Turkey Meatloaf 12th Healthy Baked Fish th

17 Boneless Pork Chop Or Chicken Breast 18th Beef Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy for Birthday Party!

19th Baked Potato Soup 23rd Build Your Own Coney Dog! 26th Swiss Steak w/Stewed Tomatoes OR LIVER & ONIONS W/mashed potatoes/gravy 27th Country Fried Steak w/Gravy, Rice Pilaf There are other delicious entrees during the month. Check it out and join us as often as you can! Please specify entrée choice, skim milk, RCD (reduced calorie dessert) each time you order. Thanks!

Low Vision Help

Paul Mattson from the Minnesota State Services for the Blind will be available by Plastic Canvas/Craft appointment at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center in Blaine on the third Class Wednesday of the month from 9a.m. to Join friends on 12noon. If you or someone you know has Fridays, a vision problem, please call Paul at December 6th & (651) 642-0846 to schedule a visit with 20th at 10:00 a.m. him. Paul will be glad to help with any to learn or share the art questions or concerns you have regarding of plastic canvas or spend loss of vision, and research valuable tools to assist you in daily living skills. Next time with friendly folks available appointment date is December working on a craft 18th. project of choice.

Computer Question and Answer Session

Need help with e-mailing photos?

Interested in buying a computer, but not sure what kind to get? Confused by all the talk in the news about online computer scams and what you should be doing to protect your privacy? Get answers to your computer and technology questions in an open forum Q & A session on Wednesday, December 4th at 10a.m.

Please R.S.V.P. your attendance.

Karen Pollesch, Senior Outreach Worker, ACCAP: 763-783-4741 Looking for ways to stretch your dollar?

Check out these possibilities for people age 60 or better: *Energy Assistance Program which helps with your utility costs. This is an income eligible program you may qualify for if your monthly income for one person is $1,891 (gross) and for two people is $2,473 (gross). The Energy Assistance application process runs from October 2012 to May 2013 so you need to reapply each year. *Food Support-SNAP-(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to help pay for groceries. If your gross monthly income is less than $1,580 for one person or less than $2,133 for two persons you may qualify.

If you have questions about these programs as well as any other programs such as transportation, telephone assistance, medical assistance, housing options, etc. give Karen a call at 763-7834741. She can come to your home or meet you at the Sr. Center in Blaine to discuss programs you might qualify for.

FAMILY CAREGIVER CONNECTION: Support groups and group respite care are available in the Anoka County area. Call Jill Agyekum, Family Caregiver Connection contact at 763-422-6960 for more information about the assessment process.

Get in the ZoneBrunswick Zone XL, A state of the art facility featuring 38 bowling lanes, Brunswick sponsors Senior Bowling on Mondays and Fridays beginning at 1:00 p.m. for just $1.25 per game. Stop to bowl and enjoy free shoe rental, cookies, coffee and loads of fun. Meet new people and plan on a good time.

Brunswick Zone is located west of Hwy. 65 off 113th Street in Blaine.

Foot Care Appointments are now available for Friday, December 13th for foot care. The cost for an appointment is just $20.

Appointments begin at 9:00a.m.

Please call the Senior Center in advance at 763786-9375 to register. Bring your own towel.

FOOT CARE POLICY: If you make an appointment for foot care and do not call 24 hours in advance to cancel, you may be charged for the appointment.

ICE SKATING AT FOGERTY! Free ice skating is offered for adults on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Fogerty Arena, except when school is not in session over the holidays. Piped in music, coffee, and light refreshments are offered.

Then register to join us for lunch at the Senior Center, serving meals at 12:00 noon Monday through Friday.

CURRENT EVENTS: *Prize/Penny Bingo: We have many prizes to give away for those winning holiday/penny bingo on Monday, December 2nd from 1-2pm, join us!! *Santa Food Shelf: Santa will be by on his shiny fire truck with all his “helpers” on Tuesday, December 3rd so you can bring in food items between now and then to help stock the food shelf.

Many thanks in advance to those who are able to contribute. *Decorate the Senior Center: Let’s “Deck the halls” of the Center on Wednesday, December 4th at 9:30a.m. and enjoy piped in holiday music and light refreshments!

COMING EVENTS: *Take Down Decorations: Help is needed on Thursday, January 2nd at 9:30a.m. to de-decorate. *Winter Wonderland Week of Fun: -Prize/Nickel Bingo-1pm on Jan. 27th -Wii Bowling Tournament-9am-Jan. 28th -“500” Tournament-1pm-Jan. 28th -Cribbage Tournament-1pm-Jan. 30th -Super Bowl Party-11am-January 31st

Live 2B Healthy Senior Fitness:

Our fitness program has recently undergone changes, so we are gathering names of people interested in a brand new program. If you are looking for a great adult fitness program 3 days per week to *Coumadin Workshop: Join Alisa Prochaska from the U of M for important regain balance, flexibility and information on this topic, at 11:30a.m. on strength, give us a call. No cost to Wednesday, December 11th. Sign up! those with UCare or Humana insurance, as Silver Sneakers sponsors *Wii Bowling Banquet: Bring a dish to share if you please and join us at 11a.m. this program. Other health insurances on Dec. 17th for the results from fall may offer a significant discount, league. Then plan to stay to hear the check with your company. Otherwise, McKinley Choir at noon! the cost to those without coverage is *McKinley Elementary Choir: $30 per month, which breaks down to Enjoy the youthful sounds of $2.50 per session when you attend all this creative young choir 12 sessions. Possible days/times: performing during lunch on Tuesday, Tuesdays-1pm, Thursdays-9am, December 17th at 12 noon.

Fridays-1pm (these are tentative at *December Movie: “The Christmas Shoes” this time). Class size minimum-15 starring Rob Lowe takes us on a people, maximum-25. Weights, journey of setting priorities, love, exercise bands, exercise balls are forgiveness and genuineness. See some of the equipment used. Can be this heartwarming film at 1p.m. on th Thursday, December 19 with refreshments seated or standing. Give us a call if at intermission-free! Thank you to Debbie you are interested: 763-786-9375. *Holiday Meal: Mark your calendars and make your reservations early for our annual V.O.A. holiday meal on Tuesday, December 10th at 11:00a.m. featuring vocalist, Mary Hall!

Wadsen for providing this film.

Birthday Party: Enjoy birthday party entertainment by Curtis & Loretta Simonet at 11a.m. on Wednesday, December 18th, followed by a delicious beef pot roast meal and then prize bingo at 1:00 p.m. sponsored by White Pines Senior Living in Blaine. =============================

LEGAL SERVICE: Anoka County legal service is available to residents of Anoka County age 60 or better. Free legal consult is offered at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center by appointment generally on the first Tuesday of the month beginning at 11:15a.m. Call 763-786-9375 for an appointment. The next date is December 3rd.

“Personal” VHS Home Movie Transfer Service: Eric from North Metro TV is making a service available for seniors at our Center. If you are interested in transferring your personal VHS tapes (such as for family events, parties, etc.) to a disc, he is just the guy to handle it. Drop off your VHS personal home movies at the Senior Center on the second Thursday of the month between 9a.m.noon, and Eric will pick them up, transfer the movies to a disc at the T.V. station using their sophisticated equipment, and return the updated movies to the Center at a later date. This service is also available for smaller tapes if they fit into a VHS converter and if you provide the converter.

Thanks Eric, for all the hard work.

Evening & Weekend Line Dancing Wednesday night line dance features beginner class at 6pm, advanced beginner class at 7pm.

The Thursday evening Intermediate Line Dancing is from 6-8p.m. On Saturdays, Beginning Line Dance class is at 9:00 a.m., Advanced Beginner Line Dance class is at 10:00 a.m., and the “Keeping it Country” Class is at 11:00 a.m. A FREE WILL donation per person is accepted for music and instruction. The next Line Dance Party is on December 21st from 15p.m.

Outings & Tours!

Call 763-786-9375 for details.

“The Incredible Season of Ronnie Rabinovitz” at History Theater Meet the Rabinovitz family: David, Charlotte and their son Ronnie. David was an attorney working hard on the campaign to nominate John F. Kennedy as the Democratic candidate for President.

Ronnie was an average 15-year-old who also happened to have a close pen-pal friendship with baseball legend Jackie Robinson. In 1960, the Rabinovitz home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin became an unlikely intersection of baseball, civil rights, and politics as the family hosted two American icons. Sharp wit, humor, politics, and baseball light up the stage in this new play by Eric Simonson, writer of the Broadway hit Lombardi. Lunch on your own after the show at Fabulous Ferns! Registration due by January 15th.

Date: Thursday, February 13 Time: Depart Blaine City Hall at 8:45 am Return: approx. 3:15 p.m.

Cost: $30– includes ticket & transportation “Church Basement Ladies: The Last (Potluck) Supper” – Plymouth Playhouse It is 1979, the day of the church’s Centennial Celebration, and past parishioners have gathered to share hotdishes, bars, and stories from the last 100 years. As the women work in the kitchen, these shared memories burst into life through a series of flashbacks. Meet Vivian’s grandmother, one of the founding members of the church; see Karin as a newlywed, cautiously navigating her way through the politics of the kitchen; and be there on that day, in 1944, when Mavis first barreled her way through the swinging door. These ladies manage to serve up a rib-tickling panorama of the changes in the kitchen, without spilling a drop of their egg coffee! Meanwhile, the Centennial Celebration continues on the lawn. But the celebration is bittersweet. But, your favorite church basement ladies handle it all with grace, hilarity, and some brand new musical numbers that are sure to get your toes tapping. Register by January 2nd.

Date: Wed., January 15 Time: Depart Blaine City Hall at 10:45 a.m. and return approx. 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $48 – includes lunch, ticket and transportation .

“Almost Maine” at Old Log Theater On a cold, clear moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend— almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s love story. Registration due by February 11.

Please select meal choice at time of registration: o Braised Short Rib, mashed potato, roasted squash, jus o Chicken Breast, risotto, sweet corn, sundried tomato, chicken sauce o New England Walleye Chowder, grilled bread o Smoked Pork Chop, scalloped potato, charred onion o Pappardelle Pasta, roasted tomato, potato, herbs, parmesan Date: Wednesday, February 26 Time: Depart Blaine City Hall at 10:30 a.m. Return approximately 4:45 p.m.

Cost: $54 - includes ticket, lunch and transportation

ST. CROIX CASINO-TURTLE LAKE: Register by January 8th.

DATE: Wednesday, January 15th TIME: 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m.

FEE: $7 (Includes $5 slot play credit on player’s card, donuts & coffee prior to departure, transportation) DEPART: Blaine Senior Center

TREASURE ISLAND CASINO: Register by February 3rd.

DATE: Monday, February 10th TIME: 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m.

FEE: $7 ($3 food coupon and 10 pull tabs) DEPART: Blaine Senior Center Includes motor coach, and donuts and coffee prior to departure.

FREE ONE-ON-ONE HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING ABOUT MEDICARE Free health insurance counseling to Medicare beneficiaries will be provided by state-certified Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging staff or volunteers at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center in Blaine, on specified Monday afternoons. Appointments are required. Counselors will assist with the basics of Medicare and Medical Assistance, choosing a supplement and/or a Part D plan, processing claims, assisting with forms, and more. To schedule a onehour appointment, call 1800-333-2433 and ask to schedule an appointment at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center.

Winter Holiday Celebration FREE and open to the Public!

Join us for the 12th annual Winter Holiday Celebration on Monday, December 2nd at Blaine City Hall. There will be a variety of great activities for the whole family. Enjoy holiday entertainment, crafts, hay rides, a coloring contest, live holiday music, refreshments and much more. All activities are free and run continuously throughout the evening. Santa will visit the event, but will not be available for individual visits or photos.

Quilting Group All levels of experience welcome! The next scheduled quilting date at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center is Monday, JANUARY 27TH from 36p.m. You can also quilt at Blaine United Methodist Church on 115th Avenue (763-757-2170) on Wednesday afternoons from 1-4:30p.m. Questions? Call Lucy at 612-220-6510.

IN SYMPATHY: We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of: • Joyce Curtis, sister of Joann Cummings • Ellen Simonson-survived by loving husband, Allen.

• Thomas Gruchalla, survived by loving wife, Gloria

Monthly Recycling at Aquatore Park: Each third Saturday of the month, the City of Blaine sponsors a recycling dropoff program in the parking lot of Aquatore Park from 10a.m. to 2p.m. For details, call 763-7856192 or visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and search for keyword: recycle.

Over 60 or an adult with a disability??

ACCAP Chores & More YOUR ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR: MINOR HOME REPAIRS HOUSEKEEPING SEASONAL CHORES CALL Nancy Shaw or Judy Lash763-767-6521 To be on the snow removal list We are now serving the 60 and over population.

FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE OLDER AMERICAN ACT GRANT THROUGH THE MINNESOTA BOARD ON AGING AND THE METRO AREA AGENCY ON AGING. CHORES & MORE IS A PROGRAM OF THE ANOKA COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM WITH FUNDING FROM THE CITIES OFANOKA AND COON RAPIDS. ACCAP Chores & More does not discriminate based upon a person’s race, color, national origin, sexual preference, or religious affiliation.

Thank you!

*For the donations to purchase the Coffee Brewer & Warmer in the kitchen from the Lou Schilling and Rhona Marie memorial funds. *To Judy Acker, Marge Boe and others for donations of books, holiday crafts, fabric, yarn, vegetables, etc. *For our holiday raffle items: Jean Tobish, Dorothy Albers, Jackie Durkot, Lori Schintgen, T.O.P.S. and an anonymous donator.

T.O.P.S. (Take off Pounds *To Norm McCarthy for continuing to lead Sensibly) currently meets on Tuesday defensive driving refresher classes. evenings with weigh-in at *To our fall bingo sponsors: Epiphany Senior 5:30pm and a fun, educational Housing, Walgreens-Blaine, White Pines meeting at 6:00 p.m. If you are Senior Living. interested in losing weight, this *To our fitness instructor for the past 6 ½ years, Denise Wellik-Peterson. You kept a may be just the right group for you. For captive audience and we appreciate your more details, contact Cindy Heckler at dedication to the Center. Best of luck in 651-310-9261 or Paulette Kotila at 651establishing future classes.

259-6241. **On behalf of the staff who work at the Senior Center, we wish to thank each and Scrabble Anyone? every person who has entered through the Some folks have expressed an interest in doors this past year. You have truly touched playing scrabble, so we have scheduled it our lives and helped to make the Senior on Fridays at 1pm. No skills required, just Center a fun, friendly place. Come see us often in the New Year!! come and have fun!

Ann, Shelley, Jim, Kristeen

Mary Ann Young Senior Center

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Twin Cities, MN Permit #4190

9150 Central Avenue NE Blaine MN 55434 (763) 786-9375 Address Service Requested

Defensive Driving Refresher Course Our Defensive Driving Classes fill quickly, so plan ahead for when you are due. The next refresher class scheduled for December 5th is full. Class dates for 2014 are: January 9th, February 6th, and March 6th. You must have taken the full 8-hour class in order to be eligible to take the 4-hour refresher. The Refresher classes are held from 9:45a.m to 2:30p.m., with a half hour lunch break. You must register and pre-pay for the class, which will be conducted by an instructor from the American Association of Retired Persons. Upon completion of the class, a certificate is issued and will be accepted by Insurance Companies for a discount on premiums for person’s 55 years of age and older. This certificate is good for (3) years and therefore must be repeated. This is a lecture-video class. The 2014 AARP rate is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Make all checks payable to “A.A.R.P.” You must show and record your AARP member number (if applicable) on the form you complete at the refresher class. Lunch is available for the refresher class for a suggested donation of (763)780-4 $4 per person age 60 and up. If you are not age 60, the lunch cost is $7. Please pay for lunch on the day of class, but you must register by noon at least three business days in advance for the meal. Checks for the meal need to be written out to “V.O.A.”. Coffee and treats are provided for a suggested donation of $1. Please bring your driver’s license and AARP Card (if applicable) to class with you. Because classes fill so quickly each month, be sure to plan at least six to eight weeks in advance of your needed date. To register, call the Senior Center first, then mail in your AARP payment to the Mary Ann Young Senior Center address: 9150 Central Ave. N.E., Blaine, 55434, or stop by the Center in person to complete your transaction.

Pre-payment is required to secure your reservation. A 48-hour cancellation notice is needed to receive a refund. ** Senior Center office hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Would you like a lunch reservation? ___Yes ___No Date of Class_____________ Date of Birth______________ Name

Phone__________________________

Address City_________________________________ State______________ Zip___________