September 2023 Newsletter

At the heart of Senior Services is a fundamental belief that life is precious and beautiful. Our mission to improve the quality of life for people as they age encapsulates that belief. I’d like to emphasize that this widely held view, that life is something to enjoy to the fullest, does not deny that life contains great suffering.

How do we navigate these shared truths? There’s no denying that celebrating life is a universal human calling. We love to play, love, laugh and triumph. We seek and fully enjoy the finer things in life. There are those who naturally see their lives with rose-colored glasses, so we say, and there is something enviable about them. Yet even they have tasted the bitterness of loss, the visitation of pain.

I say this having just heard of a bad health diagnosis for a dear friend. It’s a blue day for my wife and me. We will go see our friend this weekend, to reaffirm our love and friendship. Nothing unusual about this, and nothing about this that changes our view that life is wondrous.

Somehow, and I don’t have space to explore this more deeply, we all walk paths of balancing our life’s joys with the sorrows. It’s as old as humanity.

I write about this here not to deflate you, but to draw attention to the power and purpose of the mission of Senior Services. Our entire purpose is to help seniors live their best lives. We take for granted that all of us will have setbacks and heartaches. Nevertheless, we take trips, classes, dance and play cards! I absolutely love this about us. I think you do, too.

We are not naive to the tragedies of life. We see them plainly, and we do not let them wholly define us. We are more than our losses, and so long as the new days dawn, we seek the beauty in them.

Brian Windrope Executive Director

Volunteer Spotlight: Jill Colella

Jill Colella’s favorite phrase

is “curate the trip,” which is what she’s done as a volunteer one day a week in our Trips & Tours office for going on six years.

Taking knowledge from her BS degree in Marketing, her job at Pacific Telephone in California, and later positions at the Olympia School District and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Olympia, Jill started volunteering for us at Budd Bay Bargains.

Two years into volunteering, she transferred to the travel desk where she began helping Trips & Tours manager Sky Myers curate and book the adventures of a lifetime the program is known for.

While Jill doesn’t go on the trips as a tour guide, she works in the office assisting Sky by fine-tuning the particulars of a trip, like taking payments, putting complete information packets together, planning timelines and, perhaps most importantly, finding the rest stops along the way! Putting these trips together involves a lot of work, but Jill loves it.

Every day is different working in the Trips & Tours office. Jill could be working on a one-day trip like Whale Watching in Port Townsend and the next minute she’s taking calls to book excursions to places like Iceland and Costa Rica. Trips & Tours travels all over our area and the world.

Jill says she enjoys volunteering at the Trips office because of the camaraderie of working with great friends while planning and executing fun and unique travel experiences for their clientele.

“I think we provide a wonderful spice of life that our seniors are craving,” Jill said. “They meet new friends and experience things and places they wouldn’t otherwise do. Our program fills a much-needed and appreciated service within our specific community, and I am thrilled to be a part of that.”

When she’s not working with Trips & Tours, Jill is doing some traveling of her own with her husband Bob. Together the pair, married for 45 years, have visited places all over the world! From Italy, France, Scotland and Germany to wine tasting in Napa, Healdsburg, Paso Robles, Okanogan, Walla Walla, Yakima and Oregon’s wine country, you’d think they’ve seen it all.

After meeting at Oregon State University, Jill and Bob have lived all over the northwest until they settled in Olympia 36 years ago. They have three children living in Tumwater, Shelton and Portland, and four grandchildren ranging in age from one to seven.

Jill’s a great example of a retired person taking some of their working skills and knowledge and making a difference at the Senior Center.

Want to learn more about volunteering with the Trips & Tours office and Sky?

Call volunteer manager Theresa Ziniewicz at 360.586.6181 ext. 120.

-Scott Schoengarth

Scott is the coordinator for the Bus Buddy Program of Thurston County, a partnership between Intercity Transit, Catholic Community Services of Wester Washington, Volunteer Services and Washington State Department of Transportation. He can be reached at 360.688.8832.

Volunteer with Us!

Senior Nutrition Program

2 - 4 hours weekly. A Food Handlers permit is required for most SNP volunteer positions. Volunteers opportunities include meal prep, serving, lunchroom set up and break down, Meals on Wheels delivery and administrative support. Proof of insurance required for all Meals on Wheels drivers. Shelton, Lacey, Olympia, Tenino and Yelm.

Transportation

Provide seniors with rides to medical appointments, important Senior Services programs, and other essential errands. Drivers in Thurston and Mason Counties needed.

Tech Assistance

Help educate and or troubleshoot smartphone and laptop issues. Spend a couple hours a week helping assist seniors with basic smartphone functions, apps, security or password/file management. Must have experience with iPhones, Androids and computer skills. Flexible schedule. All ages are encouraged to volunteer for this unique and much needed position. 2 - 3 hours weekly or bi/weekly.

50th Anniversary Gala: Celebrating Seniors

We’re looking for volunteers to help us with our Fall Gala on October 7 at the Lacey Community Center!

Where we need help:

Decorating Team: Setting up and decorating the event venue including setting tables and decor throughout! Must attend weekly meetings.

Food Service Team: Serving appetizers, dinner and dessert.

Bartending Team: Serving beer, wine and our signature cocktail.

Beverage team: Serving coffee, water and opening wine bottles.

Auction Room Attendants: Assist guests and answer questions.

Campagne Table: Offer a glass of bubbly at the entrance!

Check-In Attendants: Check in guests and give them their packets. Computer skills required.

Live Auction Bid Spotters: Spot bids as we auction off our big ticket items.

Raffle Ticket Team: Sell raffle tickets to guests.

Clean Up Team: Break it all down and bring it back to the Lacey Senior Center.

Are you ready to get involved? Contact Theresa Ziniewicz, Volunteer Program Manager, at 360.586.6181 ext. 120. Or you can find volunteer applications at SouthSoundSeniors.org/Volunteer. You’ll be glad you did!

Pet Assistance for Low-Income Seniors

Thanks to you we supported multiple pets and their owners this summer with sometimes lifesaving veterinary care.

Many low-income seniors cannot afford to pay for routine veterinary care, much less a pet emergency, and often put the needs of their pets ahead of their own, risking their own health and wellbeing.

That’s where the PALS Fund comes in. Supported completely by donations, the PALS Fund—Pet Assistance for LowIncome Seniors—helps cover the cost of veterinary bills. From routine preventative care to emergency procedures, the fund provides much-needed support for seniors who simply cannot afford the rising cost of vet care.

Here’s what you made possible:

Bob and Mary’s two dogs, Buster and Dinky, found their way into and ate an entire package of chocolate candy. The couple took the dogs to the pet ER where it was determined that Buster would be fine, but Dinky required further monitoring. We were able to help with costs, so Dinky is back at home, and the chocolate has been secured!

Larry accidentally stepped on his new terrier’s foot. A recent rescue adoption, Larry hadn’t even named the dog yet. He was so upset! We were able to pay for the pet’s x-rays, splint, and pain medication so his new pet, “Dog, the dog”, is on the mend.

Bobbi called about her pet, Astrid. Bobbi had recently lost Astrid’s sibling, Michael, to old age. Astrid is a therapy cat who keeps Bobbi going. Astrid needed some TLC, as she is very elderly, so Bobbi called us to get help with her various illnesses. We were able to fund care to bring Astrid back to health.

Want to learn how to donate to PALS, or qualify for pet assistance?

Visit us online or contact our PALS Fund coordinator at 360.586.6181 ext. 131

Special Events The Basics of Long-Term Care Planning with Lauren Pitman

Thursday, September 21 at 10:00 am

Olympia Senior Center

Due to the amazing turnout at our last estate planning event, seating is limited to 75 people. This is a free event, but you must register online in order to attend. Register at southsoundseniors.org/events.

• Artwork must be general holiday or winter themed and should appeal to everyone regardless of faith or ethnicity

• Examples of submissions eligible for the contest include: painting, drawing, and digital/ computer-generated graphic design entries

• Winner will be used for our 2023 holiday card!

Pinot’s Palette Painting Experience

Trip Date: Tuesday, October 3

Spend a wonderfully creative afternoon amongst friends as we enjoy a three-hour painting class with step-by-step instructions to make a gorgeous wall-worthy acrylic painting.

Whether you are new to painting or have more experience, you will have a blast learning new techniques alongside other art lovers during this private group class in Puyallup.

Before the class, we will have an early lunch at the Windmill Bistro located on the grounds of the Windmill Village with their beautiful exhibition gardens.

This trip is open to guests using walkers, just let us know when you register.

$149 Members; $169 General Public

Includes transportation, lunch, and 3 hour painting class. All materials provided.

Bus leaves Olympia at 9:00 AM; Lacey at 9:30 AM

Approximate return: 5:30 PM

Activity Level: Easy

Friday, September 8 & November 17

Trips & Tours

SIN #6: Mushrooms of the Olympic Peninsula

Trip Date: Thursday, October 12

There are few better places in the world to observe the complex interactions of mushrooms than Olympic National Park. The park harbors at least 1400 different species of fungi, and we’re going to look for some.

We’ve teamed up with Hood Canal Adventures to offer the final Step Into Nature trip of the season. This tour may not include a long walk (anywhere from .5 to 1.5 miles), but it could require some off-trail foraging, so we are rating it difficult.

This is a 2+ hour mushroom identification walking tour through the Olympic National Forest. You will learn about edible and non-edible mushrooms, foraging skills and how to make a spore print! Bring a harvesting basket if you have one, or purchase one in their shop. Guided by Herpetologist and Professional Forager Jerry Novak.

$159 Members; $179 General Public

Includes transportation, guided hike with naturalist and meal. Bus leaves Lacey at 8:30 AM; Olympia at 9:00 AM

Approximate return: 4:00 PM

Activity Level: More Difficult

Bucket list trips are here!

Have you always dreamed of traveling across the Atlantic or exploring the beautiful desert landscape of the southwest? Trips & Tours manager Sky Myers has recently announced the Trips & Tours program’s lineup of new and amazing extended travel opportunities scheduled for 2024!

Great Trains and Grand Canyons - March 10 through 15, 2024

This six-day tour features five nights in beautiful Sedona, Arizona and two train excursions including one to the Grand Canyon!

Flavors of Portugal and Spain: featuring Barcelona - April 28 through May 16, 2024

See the stunning landscape and taste the explosion of flavors when you travel with us on this 19day adventure through Portugal and Spain.

Highlights of the Canadian Rockies - July 20 through 28, 2024

Breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies await you on this eight-day excursion through Alberta, Canada including two nights in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and more.

Shades of Ireland -September 19 through 28, 2024

Make your way around the Emerald Isle on a ten-day tour filled to the brim with sights like the Cliffs of Moher and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You’ll even get the opportunity to kiss the famed Blarney Stone for your chance to gain the gift of eloquence!

Stop into the T&T office for a full brochure detailing these amazing chances to travel the world!

MEMBERSHIP PRICING FOR 2023

Seasonal: $20

Silver Single: $60 | Silver Couple: $100

Gold Single: $120 | Gold Couple: $200

Lifetime Single: $1,000 | Lifetime Couple: $1,800

Speaker Series

September 6: Joe Oguiza on Emergency Preparedness

Joe Oguiza , Firefighter and Fire Prevention Officer at the Olympia Fire Department Fire Investigation Team will discuss emergency preparedness, and best practices for your safety.

September 13: Maureen Wells and Unforgettable Art

Maureen Wells, founder of Unforgettable Art will share her extensive knowledge of art and the art prints of Autumn.

September 20: Janis Rich, SHIBA Program Manager

Join Janis Rich as she discusses Medicare and the SHIBA program here at Senior Services for South Sound.

September 27: Janice Arnold, Felt Artist

Come hear Janice and her wild and wooly tales of learning to speak the language of wool and the resulting art and adventures along the way.

Classes, Services & Activities

OLYMPIA SENIOR CENTER

Explore Olympia Walkabout

Thursday, September 14 at 10:00 am

This month we will Explore McLane Nature Trail which is on the eastern edge of Capitol Forest. The trail encircles beaver ponds, which have changed course and grown in size many times over these last years. There are many boardwalks over water and plenty of places where mud is likely, so please be aware and plan accordingly. Wear sturdy walking shoes, weather appropriate clothing and meet us at the Olympia Senior Center at 10:00 where we will carpool to McLane. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Senior Reads Book Club

Thursday, September 21 at 10:00 am

This month for Senior Reads we will be reading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It’s a novel about the choices we make, and how they, in turn, affect our lives. Join us for a lively discussion, and good company! Be sure to bring suggestions for our next book.

Death Café with Glenn Harper

Wednesday, September 13 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

What is a Death Café? At a Death Café people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Our objective is ‘to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. A Death Café is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session.

Death Cafés are always offered:

• On a not for profit basis

• In an accessible, respectful and confidential space

• With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action

• Alongside refreshing coffee, tea – and cake! Open to the Public

Dine Out - For Olympia Senior Center

Thursday, September 14 at Dos Hermanos Mexican Kitchen, 222 Capitol Way N, Olympia5:00 pm

Join the Olympia Senior Center for an evening at Mercato! Meet at the restaurant at 5:00, where we will dine with good food and better company! Everyone pays for their own meal. Your reservations for Dine Out must be made NO LATER than 2:00 pm the Monday of the week of Dine Out. If we do not have your reservation by Monday at 2:00 the week of, we will not reserve you a spot.

Last month was a difficult situation, as people were phoning in the day of and asking to be added to the list, which caused the planned restaurant to not honor our reservation. To avoid another situation like this, reservations will be made on Monday afternoon the week of Dine Out...every month. Please reserve your spot early! This ensures us a pleasant evening and is courteous to our local restaurants as well as the staff here at Senior Services. Thank you for understanding and respecting this new practice.

Tech Help with the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

1st and 3rd Thursdays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce will be back with free computer classes. Come join us as we explore a variety of topics, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and as we explore ways to protect your privacy while navigating online. Open to the Public

To view the Life Long Learning Catalog and to read more about these offerings as well as others, please visit southsoundseniors.org/activities

Digital Literacy

Classes, Services & Activities

VIRGIL CLARKSON LACEY SENIOR CENTER

Session 1: Registration Begins September 1

Mondays, September 11 through October 169:00 am to 11:00 am

Session 2: Registration Begins November 1

Mondays, November 6 through December 119:00 am to 11:00 am

The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting free Digital Literacy classes. This is a course to help you feel more comfortable and capable when using your laptops, smartphones and other tech devices. Open to the Public. Drop-ins welcome depending on space. Bring your own devices.

NARCAN Presentation

Thursday, September 7 at 12:30 pm

The Thurston County Department of Health will be presenting a talk about what to do if you run across a person experiencing a fentanyl overdose. Learn what a fentanyl OD looks like and how to administer NARCAN. Put your superpowers to super good use!

NEW! Disc Golf

Tuesdays in September at 11:00 am - Woodland Creek Community Park

Learn how to play disc golf—a sport rapidly gaining popularity in the senior community! Simple rules coupled with rest and nonstrenuous activity make disc golf a perfect solution for those who want to get out in nature and enjoy a game with friends. As an added bonus, the disc golf course located in Woodland Creek Community Park is just steps away from the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center!Join Dave Wilkens who will show you all the ins and outs of the sport. All supplies are included, but be sure to wear a sturdy pair of shoes. Open to the Public. Call 360.407.3967 ext. 200 or visit the Lacey reception desk to register. *Disc golf could continue into October and November depending on the weather!

Medical Equipment Bank Update

Per our present understanding as of Aug 23, the Medical Equipment Bank is relocating to a building between the IHOP and 7-11 on Martin Way E (Lilly Rd is the cross-street). As they are in transition, it is not certain when they will reopen, possibly mid September or early October. Soon they will update their telephone recording with this information at 360.456.8810.

NEW! Death Journaling

Thursday, September 21 from 10:00 to 11:30 am

Come spend 90 minutes with Death Doula and Grief Coach Aypril Porter, creating your personal death journal. A death journal is a notebook that you will use to record your thoughts, wishes, memories, and more. You can use it to explore your thoughts on end-of-life topics and what kind of funeral or memorial service you’d hope for so your loved ones can understand and fulfill your wishes. Please bring a notebook to work on. We’ll have pens, markers, paints, and inspiration for things to write about or consider as we spend time together discussing and sharing thoughts, ideas, and memories and creating. Feel free to bring any magazines, articles, pictures, or other mementos you’d like to include.

Open to Public

Senior Driving Workshop

Sundays, September 17, October 22, November 19 and December 17 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm Feel safer on the road! Join this interactive workshop covering topics such as texting, driving in bad weather, handling emergencies, freeways, reference points, what to do in case of a collision, and more. After attending, you will receive a certificate that will apply a 5 - 10% discount on your auto insurance over a twoyear period.

Open to the Public + Register at the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center + $20 Per Student

Upcoming Bingos

Open to the public! Doors open at 6:00 pm. Must be 21+. $25 cash at the door to play. Also available: snack bar, 50/50 raffle, special game tickets & daubers. Enjoy a cash bar and costume contest! CASH ONLY.

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors

(SHIBA) are here to help with your Medicare questions. SHIBA provides free, unbiased information about Medicare. SHIBA is part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s consumer protection services. Please contact us if you have questions about Medicare at Senior Services: 360-586-6181 ext 134. A trained volunteer advisor will return your call within two working days.

Monthly Article of Interest: Callers claim to be from Medicare, offer services

“Medicare scammers often sound professional over the phone and use current technology to create convincing websites, emails, and print materials that appear to be from a trustworthy organization. The SMP says to never feel pressured by someone on the phone and do your research before giving out any information or clicking on any suspicious links. If you believe you’ve been scammed, don’t be ashamed. You are not alone, and there is help available.” -From the Eagle-Tribune via the National Senior Medicare Patrol.

SHIBA presentations in September

(For presentations via Zoom, please register with our office at 360.586.6181 ext. 134 or email jrich@ southsoundseniors.org)

New to Medicare via Zoom

September 6: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

September 19: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

September 21: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

September 27: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Senior Medicare Patrol-Prevent Fraud via Zoom

September 7: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Get Help Paying for Medicare (MIPPA) via Zoom

September 14: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Want to talk to someone directly? Here are some in-person options, no registration is necessary!

Olympia Senior Center

Wednesday, September 13: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Wednesday, September 20: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mason County Senior Activity Center

Thursday, September 21: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

A message from Sue Gallaghar, Inclusion Program coordinator:

Yes, we have room for you! The Inclusion Program is full of fun activities for people with Developmental Disabilities who would like their week to be a little more social!

Head to the Olympia Senior Center Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, for exercises, painting, puzzles and games. At the Virgil Clarkson Lacey Senior Center on Thursdays and Fridays, expect to have a blast playing Bingo and doing more games and art.

If you or someone you know would like to join us, call the Olympia Senior Center at 360.586.6181 and leave a message for Sue. I’ll call you back soon!

Do you remember?

As part of our 50th anniversary year, we’ve got a special challenge for you.

The year is 1973, when Senior Services first started. Where were you? Do you remember the president, how much minimum wage was or the price of gas? What about the first Billboard hit or the cost of a first-class stamp?

Put your memory to the test with our official quiz! Answers will be posted every Friday on our Facebook page and in the next newsletter.

1. What was the cost of a 3 lb can of Folgers coffee? $1.49 $3.29 $2.19

2. Which popular cop show featured the closing line, “book ‘em, Danno”?

Dragnet

Mannix

Hawaii Five-O

3. Which famous person died in 1973?

Jimi Hendrix

Che Guevara

Bruce Lee

4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1973?

American Pharoah Secretariat

Seattle Slew