Senior Lifestyles Newsletter - May 2020

Senior Lifestyles VOLUME LXXIII NO. 73

MAY 2020

Hikers/Walkers Page 3

Healthy Living Page 7

Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts Page 10

Foundation News

Page 2

JCSC Foundation News

Through the many donations made to the Johnson City Senior Center Foundation we were able to provide 2 bags filled with food to 250 low income seniors for our Spring Forward for Seniors project. Little did we know that this would come at a time during this difficult challenge of COVID-19. Please be safe and follow the guidelines of social distancing, washing your hands and staying safe at home.

May 2020

ALERT

Attention All members who have Silver Sneakers®, Renew Active™ or Silver & Fit® through your insurance. Have you updated your paperwork yet? We need new forms for folks that are eligible for these programs.

Please see front desk if you have not taken care of this during January 2020. We are now offering all three programs. So our records are accurate, everyone will be required to renew your certification through our center for these programs. Please see front desk for more information. There are brochures explaining the eligible classes for each of these programs at the front desk.

Many of our members have fragrance sensitivity. Perfumes, aftershaves and other scented beauty products may cause allergic reactions. To be considerate of our members and staff please refrain from using scented products. Thank You!

Congregate meal service is currently being served as a drivethru. So thankful that the Johnson City Senior Center @ Memorial Park Community Center building has a great drive thru area that is working great for us! Calls are being made on Tuesdays and Wednesdays taking meal orders from those individuals who have paperwork on file with FTHRA for the following week. If you ordered a meal, the pick-up times are from

11:30a-12:00p each day Monday through Friday.

FTHRA Nutrition Program Monday

4 Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Peas & Carrots

Pineapple Tidbits Texas Toast

Menu for May

Tuesday

Wednesday

19

Spaghetti w/meatsauce Italian Mix Vege-

tables Peach Cobbler Texas Toast

26

Salisbury Steak w/ gravy Mashed Potatoes Green Beans &

Tomatoes 27 Butterscotch Pudding WW Bread

CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY

15

Baked Chicken Tenders Tropical Fruit WW Roll Macaroni & Cheese Green Peas

21

Tuna Salad Saltine Crackers Broccoli Salad Fruit w/cottage cheese

22

Sliced Ham Au Gratin Potatoes Broccoli

28 Chicken Parmesan

20

Fruit Cocktail WW Bread

25

Pineapple WW Bread (2)

Breaded Fish w/tartar sauce Great Northern Beans

18 Country Style Steak Mashed Potatoes Mix Vegetables

Turkey Sandwich w/ lettuce & tomato Potato Salad

13

Chicken Pot Pie Broccoli Apple Crisp

Sweet Potatoes Green Beans

14

BBQ Pork Au Gratin Potatoes Green Beans

12

Biscuit

Egg Patty Sausage Oatmeal

8

6

Mandarin Oranges WW Bread

Pizza Casserole Brussel Sprouts Corn

Taco Salad w/ salsa & Corn cheese Tortilla Chips Spanish Rice

Chili Dog w/mustard Baked Beans & onions Coleslaw Potato Wedges WW Bun

Oatmeal Cookie WW Bun Steamed Carrots Coleslaw Cornbread

Fudge Cookie WW Roll

Baked Apples Pasta w/marinara sauce WW Roll Italian Mixed Vegetables

Friday

1

7

5

11 Breaded Pork Chop

Thursday

Beef Goulash Peas & Carrots Applesauce

Graham Crackers Texas Toast Orange Juice Biscuit w/Gravy Cornbread

Meatball Sub. w/mozz. Corn cheese Vanilla Pudding Potato Wedges WW Bun

29 Chili Mac Casserole Peas & Carrots Pear Crisp

WW Roll

One 2% milk is included with each meal. All servings are 1/2 cup. All entrees are 3 oz. servings or one portion. **Menu may change due to weather and availability.

Please call 434-5723, 48 hours in advance to reserve a meal or if you need to cancel a meal that you have already signed up for. Sign up sheets are also available outside of the dining room.

Congregate Meals will be served from 12:00-12:15 for those who have registered. At 12:15 continuing until 12:25 if there is food available, it will be served to those who did not register but have shown up to eat lunch. Please register in advance to ensure your meal!

May 2020

Hiking, Walkers & Talkers

Page 3

Walkers & Talkers* Hiking 101* Hip Hikers* It’s a great time to TAKE A WALK! We found links to some great virtual hikes that will make you feel like you’re in the great outdoors. But don’t just watch – be on your feet walking in place to feel a part of the action.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Western Canada, you’ll enjoy this virtual hike along Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seWRWp7HKU0 Bryce Canyon in Utah offers spectacular scenery unlike anything in East Tennessee. Take a walk through this breathtaking canyon at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbR6N5tYaQ. If cities are more your style, how about a walking tour of San Francisco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC_RUd47XCM. Many scenes of the film “Vertigo” were filmed here and are referenced in the tour.

Historic Rome: tour the city on a 2-hour virtual walking tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsFheWkimsU. Get out into the forest on a 1-hour hike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8wHSCQyuaQ Or enter into Redwood National Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOEGIGx8rr4.

Get your blood pumping with a virtual hike on the scary part of Yosemite Falls Trail at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV-Z6Ooke8w.

One of the most spectacular sights in the United States is the Grand Canyon. Find a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVwKL_YzGlU. Don’t forget about our local parks. A walk around Willow Springs Park, Winged Deer Park, or along the Tweetsie Trail can boost your spirits and let you enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Send us an email or picture and let us know about your favorite walks and hikes.

The email address is MPCCSeniorCenter@johnsoncitytn.org. Everyone who sends a picture by May 30 will be entered to win a custom t-shirt!

So grab your water bottle, and let’s TAKE A WALK…at an acceptable social distance, of course!

Offering Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite Care and Day services provided in a home-like environment. We combine southern charm with a staff commitment to make sure you or your loved one receives the best of what we have to offer.

We are a Choices Provider and also accept Long-Term Care Insurance.

Please call us at (423) 232-5301 for more information and/or to schedule your tour!

213 University Parkway, Johnson City, TN

Lifelong Learning

Page 4

Lifelong Learning During a time of crisis or disaster, the scammers come out in full force. Don’t’ be a victim!

We found important information on the Scams, Schemes & Swindles page of the Attorney General of the State of Tennessee (https://www.tn.gov/ attorneygeneral/working-for-tennessee/consumer/ scams-schemes-swindles/) about the U.S. Census and Coronavirus: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU: As Tennesseans participate in the U.S. Census, it is important to recognize and report scams that emerge during this time. Notices are going out from the U.S. Census Bureau with detailed information on how to respond online, by phone, or by mail. It is important that every citizen report information to the U.S. Census Bureau, and we encourage you to respond if you haven’t already done so.

The Census Bureau DOES NOT: • send unsolicited emails to request your participation • ask for your Social Security Number, bank account or credit card numbers • ask for money or donations • contact you on behalf of a political party According to the U.S. Census Bureau, every home should have received a notification by Census Day, April 1. Census takers will begin visiting homes that have not responded in May. If you have questions about the identity of a census worker, contact your Regional Census Center https://2020census.gov/ en/contact-us/rcc.html or call 800-923-8282. More information about the 2020 Census is available here: https://2020census.gov/en/important-dates.html AVOID CORONAVIRUS SCAMS: • Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know and watch out for emails that may appear to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Be aware that the Social Security Administration will not suspend or decrease benefit payments due to the pandemic. Any communication you receive that says such is a scam.

• Consumers should also beware of CDC impersonators who may go door-to-door claiming to be from the organization. Report imposters to your local law enforcement.

• Know that government agencies are NOT sending out emails asking for residents’ personal information in order to receive funds or other pandemic relief opportunities. The federal government’s economic impact payment will be distributed automatically.

Some seniors and others who typically do not file tax returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment. Find the most up-todateName information about the economic impact payment Artist Angel Adams on the Internal Revenue Service Order#: 62-181277 Colonial Hil Retirement Center(IRS) website.

Remember, the government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges.

TIPS FROM THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: The FTC offers these tips to avoid Coronavirus Scams. Visit http://ftc.gov/coronavirus for updates, or like the Federal Trade Commission on Facebook for valuable information on this and other topics.

• Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government.

• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.

• Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.

• Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/ coronavirus to get the latest information. And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.

• Do your homework when it comes to donations.

Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.

MEDICARE SCAMS Tennessee Senior Medicare Patrol recently provided information about DNA and genetic cancer screening test schemes. Older adults are targeted by companies promoting “free” genetic testing, cancer screening, or DNA testing. They are asked to swab their cheek to collect a DNA sample which will be sent to a lab for analysis. Then they are told that the test will be covered by Medicare and all that is needed to process it is their Medicare number.

A lab test is covered by Medicare IF it is: medically necessary; ordered by the patient’s treating physician or qualified practitioner for a specific medical condition; accompanied by a copy of a signed consent form and medical record documentation; and the results must be used in the management or treatment of the patient’s specific medical condition.

You should never give out your Medicare number at a health fair or other event; check with your physician before consenting to any screening or testing that asks for personal information.

May 2020

Ways to stay Active during COVID-19: • Take a walk around your neighborhood – remember to keep that 6’ distancing.

• Work in your yard or garden.

• While watching TV – get up and move during the commercials, you will be surprised at how much activity you can get during those favorite shows.

• On your computer log into Fitness Blender for a variety of workout videos • You can also type in SIlverSneakers™ or Silver&Fit™ Youtube for exercise videos.

Remember - stay active for your physical health and mental health.

Be safe and follow the guidelines to stop the spread.

We miss you all.

DO YOU KNOW THE RED FLAGS OF A SCAM? • Immediate action required • Insistence on secrecy • Money needed up front • Hard-to-track payment methods LEGAL AID OF EAST TENNESSEE IS AVAILABLE TO HELP SENIORS AGE 60 AND OLDER: Are you a senior adult struggling with legal issues?

The attorneys and paralegals at Legal Aid of East Tennessee are available and ready to help — free of charge — during these troubled times. They can prepare necessary documents, including wills, medical powers of attorney, living wills, and financial powers of attorney. They can assist with debt-related issues, housing issues, benefits-related issues, and many other civil legal problems. A senior in need of their services can call 866-333-1505 for more information.

“Your Hometown Team”

luxury living

"Don't let those aches & pains get you down. Let us help you get on top of them before they get you down!"

at Colonial Hill

3207 Bristol Highway Johnson City, TN 37601

(423) 282-6903

colonialhillrc.com

Retirement Center

62-181277 aa

May 2020

Travel

Travel Corner We trust that you are staying healthy and close to home. This is a perfect time to plan your future trips! We all look forward to getting back together with our friends and enjoying great adventures together.

Page 5

2-Have your volume too loud. Your neighbor probably doesn’t want to listen to your phone conversation and those nearby probably won’t want your music interfering with their conversations.

For those who had planned to visit Niagara Falls, you can take a virtual visit to the falls! See the American side of the falls at: nystateparkstours.com/ niagarafalls/. There is also a nice video of the falls on AirPano at: http:// www.airpano.com/360photo/Niagara-Falls-USA-Canada/. On the same website there is a good video of the 7 Wonders of the World: http://www. airpano.com/360photo/Seven_Wonders//.

3-Stand while the coach is moving unless it’s a must. A sudden slowdown or lane shift could result in a fall and injury.

Final payment for the September motor coach trip to Boston, Salem and Cape Ann is not due until July 2. This gives us plenty of time to make sure that we’ll be traveling again. The final payment for the November trip to New York City won’t be due until early September.

Where do I sit? – Normally, seating is first come first served. Some groups like to rotate seating day on a long trip to allow folks to get a different perspective. We’ve found that most passengers would rather remain in the same seat. It becomes familiar and they’ve usually made their “nest”.

If German culture is your passion, you have an opportunity to experience the annual Oktoberfest in Helen, Georgia! Todlow Coach is offering an overnight trip that includes motor coach transportation, a stay at the Country Inn and Suites with breakfast, and dinner at the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, designed and fashioned after the famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany.

Dates for this fun trip are October 12-13. Final payment is due August 11.

Protocol during stops. - Before the driver may be considered Off Duty, all passengers must be away from the coach and leave no responsibility to any passenger for the driver. The driver needs to be off duty for things like lunch and dinner. If at a venue with all passengers disembarked from the coach, the driver may also be Off Duty. Being Off Duty extends the drivers On Duty time for the day which allows them to have time for required responsibilities.

We asked Jackie & Joni Denny of Todlow Coach LLC, to share tips about motorcoach travel in order for every passenger to have the best possible experience from traveling with a group: SOME DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SAFE ENJOYABLE TRAVEL Do: 1- Please try to be on time to the pickup location. There is a schedule that must be kept to ensure that all passengers will be able to see and do everything that they’ve paid for.

2- Be very careful entering and exiting the motor coach.

3- Get familiar with the passenger safety features of the coach. Emergency exits, roof escape hatches, handrails.

4- Get comfortable – Bring your pillow, blanket, good book 5- Be neat. Keep your trash picked up and your area orderly. A clean coach is much more relaxing to travel on. If you have a spill, let us know. We have some cleaning supplies available. We allow eating and drinking on our coaches, but we ask that passengers are responsible.

6- Socialize – Get caught up with old friends and make new ones.

7- Have fun!

Don’t: 1-.Assume the trip is only about you. WE are traveling together and unless a passenger has an immediate emergency, the trip is about WE not me.

Everything possible will be done to reasonably ensure that the group is well informed and comfortable.

How much luggage do I bring? – You should get direction as to how much luggage is acceptable. Please don’t tie two pieces of luggage together. It will all come out at the same time at the destination.

Rest Breaks – Throughout the day, there will be frequent stops. Those stops are usually around 2 hrs. Even if you don’t have a need for the restroom, we encourage everyone to get up and walk. Sitting and riding can take a toll. These stops also keep your driver fresh and alert.

Stops, drops and pickups. – When making stops, the driver works hard to position the coach so that the safety of the passengers is the best it can be. Please listen to the direction given before disembarking. You’ll need to know exactly when and where you will need to be for the pickup. Many areas have very strict restrictions for where motor coaches can travel and park. You should always have the phone number of the group leader, tour guide or someone else on the coach so you can communicate if there is a problem. If the schedule is tight, it is very important that all passengers are back to the pickup location on or before time for pick up. Again….think We not Me. There are very few reasons that the coach would leave and not wait on a passenger who is running late. We would make every possible attempt to contact any passenger not accounted for. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers is always the most important aspect of our business.

Before any passengers arrive at the coach, the driver has already spent up to 1/2hr at the coach doing their Pre Trip inspection and preparing the coach for the day. That includes checking all safety issues such as tires and lights, checking the engine area for fluid levels or leaks and just anything that looks out of the ordinary. It can also include cleaning the windshield, changing trash bags and cleaning up from the day before.

At the end of the day when everyone is relaxing, the driver will be doing their Post Trip inspection. That can include all of the things listed above and making sure the coach is parked safely and is secured for the night with all systems being shut down.

A driver has a total of 15hrs per day to be ON Duty. They may use up to 10hrs of that time for driving. This On Duty time also includes the Pre and Post Trip inspections.

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Senior Lifestyles Help us get the word out!

How it works: SNAP customers can swipe their EBT Card at either location and get their purchase matched up to $20 a day. For instance, a family that spends $10 in SNAP benefits receive $10 in Double Up tokens to be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. They can save their tokens, too! This program is a triple win for the community: families can benefit from receiving healthy food, our local farmers gain new customers and increase revenue, and more food dollars stay in our local economy. At Jonesborough Locally Grown, our biggest challenge in regards to this great program is simply getting the word out to those who could benefit from it.

Boone Street Market is located at 101 Boone Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659 and is open Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm, and Saturdays 10am - 5pm. The store is remaining open currently, and customers can access this benefit now when it could really make a difference for them. The Jonesborough Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from 8am - Noon from May - October, though we should note that we may be pushing back the first day of this year’s market.

JCSC staff preparing bags for the Spring Forward for Seniors food distribution project

May 2020

Healthy Living, Games

May 2020

Healthy Living Bone Basics – Osteoporosis While there are many risk factors for osteoporosis that we cannot change – like family history, small body type and menopause, we can control things like nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyle. Bone is a living organ, in a constant process of tearing down and building up. It relies on the push of gravity and the pull of muscle to maintain its strength. Without enough activity, bone mineral and muscle mass are lost at a surprising rate for individuals over age 50. To avoid this, it is important to do weight-bearing exercise like fast walking and muscle strengthening exercise like lifting weights.

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Games What Number Belongs in the Box at the Top of the Pyramid?

National Osteoporosis Foundation recommendations for Daily Calcium and Vitamin D Include all sources, food and supplements. Get as much of your calcium from food as you can.

WOMEN Calcium Vitamin D

Age 50 and younger 1000 mg 400-800 units Age 51 and older 1200 mg 800-1000 units

MEN Calcium Vitamin D

Age 50 and younger 1000mg 400-800 units Age 51-70 1000 mg 800-1000 units Age 71 and older 1200 mg 800-1000 units

3. Forward I’m heavy, backwards I’m not?

What am I?

Here are some websites that you can find more puzzles to play:

4. A monkey, squirrel and a bird are racing to a coconut tree?

Which one do you think will get the banana first?

Now is a great time to learn to play a new board or card game or pull out the classics.

www.funwithpuzzles.com www.buzzkenya.com

Here are a few for one or two players: Battleship, Checkers, Chess, Dominos, Mastermind, Jenga, Rummy, Solitare and Crazy 8’s.

1. 47

ANSWERS:

2.

3. Ton 4. None of them, it is a coconut tree!

Page 8

Stress & Anxiety Calm: www.calm.com Sleep Cycle-Sleep Better: www.sleepcycle.com Talk Space-Online Therapy: www.talkspace.com Head Space: Meditation & Sleep: www.headspace.com Free Emotional Health Support Line 24-7 (Optum): 866.342.6892 COVID-19 Specific National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org/getattachment/ About-NAMI/NAMINews/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19Updated-Guide-1.pdf Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Disaster Distress Helpline 800.985.5990 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ daily-life-coping/ managing-stress-anxiety. html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F %2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare %2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html For Healthcare Workers: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavrus/2019nCoV/hcp/index.html Domestic Violence Call 911 if you or a family member are in immediate danger.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233 (SAFE) www.ndvh.org National Dating Abuse Helpline: 866.331.9474 www.loveisrespect.org

May 2020

National Human Trafficking Resource Center/ Polaris Project: Call 888.373.7888, Text HELP to BeFree (233733) www.polarisproject.org www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Behavioral Health National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273-TALK (8255) Frontier Health Mobile Crisis Response Hotline: 877.928.9062 notOK* www.notokapp.com Suicide Safety Plan: https://www.verywellmind.com/suicidesafety-plan-1067524 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800.662.HELP (4357) www.samhsa.gov Veterans Crisis Hotline: 800.273.8255, Text 838255 www.veteranscrisisline.net Addiction Resources Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org SMART Recovery: www.smartrecovery.org Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org Herren Project – substance abuse support: 401.243.8590 herrenproject.org Learn to Cope: 508.801.3247 www.learn2cope.org Al-Anon Family Groups: www.al-anon.org Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800.662.HELP (4357) www.samhsa.gov

National Child Abuse Hotline/Childhelp: 800.4.A.CHILD (800.422.4453) www.childhelp.org

Grief Support

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673 (HOPE) www.rainn.org

Sesame Street – grief resource for children: www.sesamestreet.org/toolkits/grief/

National Center for Victims of Crime: 202.467.8700 www.victimsofcrime.org

Grief Share: www.griefshare.org

Local stores have adjusted their hours during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some have also designated certain hours of shopping for the senior population or people with compromised immune systems.

Here are just a few:

Aquatics

May 2020

Page 9

When only HOME will do...

We provide a variety of services to fit your needs.

Now accepting new clients.

CALL TODAY! 423-543-1250 1500 W. Elk Ave., Elizabethton www.SilverAngels.com

DOMINION SENIOR LIVING OF Johnson City

Welcomes New Community Relations Manager

Grief Support If you or someone you know needs grief support, please attend one of our support groups.

Melanie Bowman started as Dominion’s new Customer Relations Manager on October 14, 2019.

She is a native of Kansas and has called Johnson City, TN home for almost a decade now. Melanie has been working with seniors for over 15 years starting with her career after college as a Social Services, Admissions, and Marketing Director for a nursing home near her hometown. As a huge advocate for helping people in the Senior population, Melanie has been actively involved in Alzheimer’s TN and Alzheimer’s Associations. She lives with her 6-year-old daughter Emma, so there is never a dull moment at her house. In her free time, she likes spending time with Emma, hiking, shopping, bike riding and all things girls like to do!

Whether you are looking for assisted living or memory care, you will experience a piece of mind knowing that our family is caring for yours!

We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at the Memorial Park Community Center.

510 Bert St • Johnson City, TN 37601

Our communities are all custom built with the safety and security of our residents at top of mind.

We often hear the following reasons families choose our community over the competition: • 24/7 nursing • All-inclusive pricing (no hidden care fees) • All day dining • Family Owned, Faith based organization • Engaging activities and life enrichment programming • Latest technology, helping us provide the best care and security • Variety of choices in floorplans • We offer both, Assisted Living and Memory Care • In-house physician, PT, OT and Speech services

Dominion Senior Living is an Assisted Living and Memory Care community located right off I-26 in Johnson City, TN close to main shopping as well as other senior related businesses and health services! Our location is ideal!

Please visit us at www.dominionseniorliving.com/johnson-city/.

E x p e r i e nc e a t ra dit i on of c ar ing.

(423) 282-1521 • MorrisBaker.com

Page 10 Want to help and can sew………..Here’s how!

Arts

To help preserve supplies, Ballad Health is now accepting handmade face masks for patients who present to its facilities. Because the masks are not medical grade, they will not be worn by team members as they provide care, but will still provide a vital barrier for patients. If anyone sews and wants to help in this way, there is a specific pattern that needs to be used. The links below describe the drop off locations and directions for making the masks.

May 2020 To add the yarn ball bookmark ‘tail’, use the 15-inch piece of yarn, tie it around the same string you used to tie the 90 loops together, as seen in the pictures above.

https://www.balladhealth.org/news/handmade-mask-donations?ref=9186 https://www.balladhealth.org/sites/balladhealth/files/documents/Ballad-HealthCOVID-19-Mask-Pattern.pdf Want to make an air freshener for your home?

Here’s how! https://www.smartschoolhouse.com/diy-crafts/how-to-make-gel-air-fresheners Bored at home and want to make something out of things that you make have lying around?

Here’s a link to some easy crafts! Enjoy!

At this point, your yarn ball bookmark should look like the picture above.

Next, holding the ball on it’s side, slide your scissors through the yarn loops and start cutting. Instant fluffy yarn!

https://www.attagirlsays.com/30-easy-crafts/ Try your hand at Pom Pom Bookmarks …All you need is scissors and yarn!

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR YOUR POM POM BOOKMARK: – YARN – SCISSORS That’s it! You do want your scissors to be sharp, or the last step will be difficult. And you do not need any special tools for this pom pom ball – just your fingers! *Before you start, cut an 8-10 inch piece of yarn and a 15 inch piece of yarn and set it aside. You will need these lengths in later steps.

This is what your pom pom will look like — it will start to resemble a ball, but is in dire need of a haircut!

Start snipping! {WARNING: be careful NOT to cut off the bookmark tail! Hold it out of the way while you snip.} With this step, you need to cut the yarn pom pom into the shape of a ball. Continue to turn and snip the yarn, looking at the ball from different angles while doing so. Keep rounding it off until you are pleased with the shape. This step does take practice, and you will improve with each ball you make.

Voila! Your pom pom ball will appear! And your yarn ball bookmark is officially done!

To start, hold the end of the yarn in your hand, and begin wrapping the yarn around your fingers – snug but not too tight. We recommend wrapping the yarn 90 times.

Cut the yarn after 90 wraps, and carefully slide it off your fingers. Lay it down over the 8-10 inch piece of yarn. Tightly tie a knot around the middle of the 90 loops.

These pom pom bookmarks are sure to put a smile on any bookworm’s face, and the best part of this project is that kids can make them all by themselves!

May 2020

Groups & Meetings, Outings & Volunteers

Groups & Meetings

Bible Study: Three different Bible study groups meet weekly at the Johnson City Senior Center.

These groups are led by volunteers who have a desire to serve.

As the Page Turns Book Club: The book club meets once a month. Books are loaned free of charge from the local Library, and distributed at the Center.

Writers’ Circle: This group meets two times per month to share tips for improving your writing skills, and offers opportunity to share your own writings for discussion within the group.

The following groups are not part of the Senior Center programming, but use space at the Center through a facility use agreement and provide valuable services to our community: Constituent Services: A representative from the offices of Congressman Phil Roe is available once a month to discuss concerns and issues, including Social Security and Disability, Veteran’s issues, and other issues.

The Northeast Tennessee Multiple Myeloma Support Group: This support group meets one Saturday per month. Those who are affected directly by Multiple Myeloma or who have a friend or family member who is, are invited to attend.

Grief Support Gathering: This group meets two times per month, and is sponsored by Morris Baker Funeral Home.

Compassionate Friends of TN Valley: The Compassionate Friends of TN Valley is a support group that meets on a monthly basis. This is a support group for parents, siblings and grandparents who have experienced the death of a child.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Self-Help Group: This group meets every other month to provide support and education for those living with MS.

Outings

While the buses may be temporarily idle, you can still enjoy a virtual outing or catch up on reading about some interesting places around our area or across our nation!

The Biltmore Estates website has a short video of the house at: https://www.biltmore.com/visit/biltmore-estate/biltmore-house/.

TNhistoryforkids.org has some great videos. Take a look at History Bill touring Fort Loudoun in Monroe County, Tennessee, built in 1756. The video can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/NHBkouIQ5-k.

Just up the road from Fort Loudoun is a museum about Sequoyah; after twelve years of dedicated work, Sequoyah finished the Cherokee syllabary in 1821 and spent the rest of his life teaching his people how to read and spell. Cherokees are the only Native American People who possess a writing system equivalent to the European alphabet. A video suitable for children but full of information allows you to hear the Cherokee language spoken while viewing captions in English; find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyWlmUWwvwA. The National Parks websites offer wonderful videos. You’ll want to visit Cumberland Gap, a National Historical Park where Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia meet, at https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm.

National Park Foundation has links to several national parks: https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/take-virtual-visit-national-park.

The Tennessee State Museum has several interesting stories on their website at https://tnmuseum.org. One story that is pertinent for today is Answering the Call: Nursing and the Flu Pandemic of 1918-1919.

Where are some local Tennessee sites that you would like to visit? Send us your suggestions or favorite destinations for a day outing: MPCCSeniorCenter@johnsoncitytn.org.

Stay healthy, wash your hands, keep your social distance, and the staff of the Johnson City Senior Center hope to see you in the near future!

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Ready, Set, Serve…..Volunteer!

On a mission to engage adults in Active Life through Active Living

I think I can speak for all of us at the Johnson City Senior Center, when I say……

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Senior Lifestyles

May 2020