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Golden Echo A publication of Sauk Valley Media in cooperation with Lee County Council on Aging and Whiteside County Senior Center – United Way agencies 6OLUME s

January 2014

s %DITION

Ride WCPT WCPT serves residents of all ages throughout Whiteside County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Friday

The second annual Lee County Council on Aging 50/50 raffle is now in full swing.

For details, see Page 4.

Call 815-625-7433 today to ride WCPT!

Warm up at one of the senior centers

Find us onFacebook or visit www.ridewcpt.net

Want to beat the cold?

Come into the senior center and enjoy the warmth and fellowship.

Lee County Council on Aging and Whiteside County Senior Center are heating centers in the winter and cooling center in the summer.

We always have fresh coffee and smiling faces.

While you’re here play a game of Wii Bowling, bil-

liards or how about join in the Zumba or line dancing class? We also have our computer lab open and ready for you to use. Lots of fun, active and entertaining events happen here at the center and we want you to join the fun.

Find us on Facebook or visit us at www.lccoa.com or www.whitesidecsc.org.

These are your centers, come and enjoy them!

INSIDE Medicare Q&A ................................................... 3

Thank Yous........................................................ 10

Transportation Schedules ................................ 13

Assistance Sites .................................................... 5

Weekly, Monthly Activities .............................. 11

Upcoming Trips................................................. 14

Post House Ballroom .......................................... 7

Meal Sites ........................................................... 12

Upcoming Special Events ................................. 15

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Geoff Vanderlin

D

id you have a Merry Christmas? I sure hope so. Here at the Senior Center, we enjoyed so many festive times that it’s hard to name them all.

Many of you came and helped us decorate the Center for the season and it has looked great.

December opened with our annual Christmas Walk breakfast and Santa’s Workshop. Though it was cold, we had more than 300 people come through the doors, and a lot of happy eaters and shop-

pers. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and many helpers, including some of Santa’s elves, made it extra festive. Then, throughout the month, we enjoyed many programs relating to Christmas – from line dancers to crafting, to a very special performance by the Dixon High School Madrigal Singers.

It was great to see so many people taking part in these programs, and I’d like to remind readers that most of the activities here at the Senior Center are open to people of

happy for everyone, and that there are many people less fortunate whose lives we can brighten. Many of you have responded to our membership campaign, which goes a long way toward helping us fill the funding gaps and allows for continuing our programs. And so many of all ages. We are the Lee you have included a little County Council on Aging, “extra,” as well. We thank and I like to remind peoyou so very much. If you ple – some of whom do have not yet sent in your not wish to be reminded membership for 2014, now – that we are all aging. is a great time to do it. If we Therefore, we are here for somehow missed you with everyone. Why not make our appeal, you can call us it a point to visit more here at the Center and we often in the coming year? will set you up. Remember While I mentioned at the that membership is not top of the article that we necessary to participate in enjoyed the Christmas sea- and enjoy our programson so much, I would like ming, but it does help us to remind you that the hol- with that programming. iday season is not always Are you looking for-

ward to 2014? We will have another great year of programming for you, including old favorites like our chili supper, luau, and the annual Spring Prom, along with some new events and programs. For example, we will be partnering with the Lee County Extension service this coming year to provide a monthly program, and other partnerships are in the works.

Our second annual 50/50 raffle is now in full swing. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and the proceeds provide supplies and other things for the Senior Center. Last year the winner of the raffle walked away with $1,900, and LCCOA spent our share of the money to purchase new comput-

ers for our computer lab.

Let’s make this year even bigger! Get your tickets at the Dixon Senior Center or from one of our employees or board members. Or perhaps you would be interested in being a volunteer seller for us. The more people selling, the more the pot grows, and our winner and the Center will benefit. If you are interested, please call Jennifer at the Center at 815-288-9236.

The drawing for the 50/50 raffle will take place at the chili supper on March 12.

In closing, all of us here at Lee County Council on Aging wish you and yours a very Happy New Year 2014. Help us make it the best year ever. Have you “Senior” Center lately?!

Geoff

purchase gifts? The good news is that by Friday we had more gifts than we had table space to display. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, no child went away without a special gift for their loved ones! A special thank you to everyone who assisted with the setup of Santa’s Workshop and a very special thank you to all of you who provided homemade scarves, mittens, hats, slippers, and other toys or items for the children to purchase! Your efforts made a major impact on numerous families in our surrounding communities. Thank you for making a difference!

The Whiteside County Senior Center offers a

variety of programs and activities which can provide a place for you to start helping others or yourself. January kicks off with a Euchre Tournament at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5; a Medicare Information Class is available at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10; start organizing your holiday photos in Becky’s Scrapbooking Class at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16; Beth Sterk of Whiteside HomeCare will be offering a Fall Prevention presentation at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17; the American Red Cross will be conducting a blood drive at the WCSC from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, so please call and make an appointment; learn about The Basics

of Alzheimer’s at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27; Whiteside County Health Department will provide a Foot Clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 (appointment required); VCP Home Health Care, Inc. will provide a Wellness Event at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29; and the monthly It’s Showtime! movie presentation with free popcorn will feature “Eight Below,” a movie about two Antarctic explorers leaving their team of sled dogs behind as they fend for their survival. It stars Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, and Bruce Greenwood.

This movie is a tribute to Paul Walker!

From the WCSC Executive Director

By Doug Vandersee

W

hat are your expectations for 2014? As we begin to look toward next year, it is time to start planning how we are going to make a difference in someone’s life!

That someone can be you, or it can be a friend, neighbor, relative, or perhaps someone you haven’t yet met.

I was reading about two teenagers who decided they wanted to be superheroes and do random acts of kind-

ness for people they didn’t know. They gave a homeless person a coat to keep warm and some money to purchase some food. The person fell down on their knees and thanked God for bringing these two teens into his life.

What are you going to do in 2014 to make an impact on someone’s life?

Earlier this month, I watched a group of volunteers and staff work together to organize Whiteside County Senior

Center’s Fourth Annual Santa’s Workshop and Breakfast with Santa event. It was amazing to watch everyone work together to take the boxes of donated items and put them out on the table. On Tuesday, we were worried about the amount of gifts we had collected. Was this more or less than last year?

Will there be enough for everyone to be able to

DOUG CONTINUED ON 9

Golden Echo published monthly by Sauk Valley Media, 3200 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, IL 61081, in cooperation with the Lee County Council on Aging and Whiteside County Senior Center.

Golden Echo disclaims any liability for any advertisements published herein and in no way endorses or guarantees these ads.

Press releases of interest to seniors will be accepted at 100 W. Second St., Dixon, IL 61021; or 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, IL 61081. Deadline for submission is the 15th of each month.

Golden Echo does not discriminate in admission to programs or treatment or employment in programs or activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act; the U.S. Civil Rights Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; the Age Discrimination Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; and the U.S. and Illinois constitutions. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you have a right to file a complaint with the Illinois Department on Aging. For information, call 800-252-8966 (Voice & TDD), or contact the director of Lee County Council on Aging, 100 W. Second St., Dixon, IL 61021 or telephone 815-288-9236; or Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling, IL 61081 or 815-622-9230.

The senior centers do not require duration of residency or citizenship as a condition of participation in any services or programs funded by the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Residency or citizenship may be a requirement for other programs that the senior centers may provide assistance with in application or accessing of same. Services are made available, in part, with funds provided under Title III-B of the Older American Act, and the Illinois General Revenue Funds, through the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. We are a United Way-funded agency.

*ANUARY s 0AGE

Golden Echo

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA

MEDICARE Q&A

Will Medicare call and ask for information?

Dear Marci, I was contacted by an unknown caller who said that he needed my Medicare number and bank account information due to changes in the Affordable Care Act. Are Medicare representatives allowed to call and ask me for that type of personal information? – Ralph, Greenwich, Conn.

Dear Ralph, This is a very important question to ask, particularly since there is so much

confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. To answer your question, Medicare representatives will never call you and ask for personal information like your bank account number, Medicare number or Social Security number. People with Medicare do not have to give out their personal information to Medicare representatives as a result of the Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law. In addition, Medicare private plans like Medicare Advantage plans

and Medicare Part D plans cannot call and ask for your financial or personal information. In fact, plan representatives cannot call or email you if you have never been a member of the plan and you did not invite the plan to contact you.

In general, be wary of websites, callers or individuals that ask for personal information, like your bank account number or Social Security number. For example, you should be suspicious of callers who claim to

work for Medicare and ask for your bank account information. Know that you should not give out your personal information to unidentified callers, as there have been many instances of people giving out their information to callers pretending to be government officials.

You should also refrain from giving out your personal, health or financial information to strangers who come to your home uninvited. Remember, you can always call 800-MEDICARE, before giving out

55 AND OVER COMMUNITY RETIRE WITH NO WORRIES! United Way of Whiteside County Calling 2-1-1 can put you in touch with organizations ready to help with:

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Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday

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General information Transportation Outreach

email: lccoa@comcast.net

www.posthouseballroom.com

email: whitesideseniors@comcast.net

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Doug Farster, Vice Chair Lisa Kennay, Secretary Diane Blaine Cindy Gabany Roberta Lemoine Jo Anne Mills Carol Rick

815-622-9230 or 888-622-9230 815-625-7433 or 855-625-7433 815-626-7707 www.whitesidecsc.org

WCSC Board Members and Officers

LCCOA Board Executive Committee and Officers

Anne Barlow Evelyn Eisenberg Laurie Krager Helen Kay Miller Donna Newman

www.thejonesfh.com

Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday

815-288-9236 or 855-407-9236 815-288-2117 or 888-239-9228 815-288-0892

Dr. Thomas Lawless, Chair Joe Rudolphi, Treasurer

AMBOY

303 E. Main St. 857-2611

Whiteside County Senior Center

General information\outreach Lee-Ogle County Transportation System Post House Ballroom www.lccoa.com

local Senior Medicare Patrol. To locate your state Senior Medicare Patrol, you can go online and visit www.smpresource.org.

If you feel that you are a victim of identity theft, you may also want to contact your local police department as soon as possible.

You can also contact the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging Fraud Hotline by calling them at 855-303-9470 or by visiting them online at http://www.aging.senate. gov/fraud-hotline. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Marci

DIXON

3TERLING #OTTAGES ,,# s #ALL 4OM 4HOMPSON

Lee County Council on Aging

your personal information if you need to. It is very important that you safeguard your information closely to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft.

If you receive a suspicious call from someone asking for your personal information, take down the name of the person you spoke to, as well as the date and time of the call. You can report callers pretending to be Medicare representatives or government officials to 800-MEDICARE or to your

Sheila Martinez, President Wilbur Mennecke, Treasurer

Mary Lou Burkardt Amy Gillespie Isaac Mercer Fred Nesbit

Janice Bell Jim Lopez Kelly Wilhelmi

Robbin Blackert, Vice President Cynthia Weisel, Secretary Myra Chattic Janet Mennecke

Bob Czuprynski Kay Wallin

4HE %MPORIUM 4HRIFT #ENTER 7 4HIRD 3T 3TERLING s

Golden Echo

*ANUARY s 0AGE

WALMART SERVES UP A FREE COMMUNITY DINNER

ITEMS TO NOTE Scoot your boots to line dancing classes Boot scoot, grapevine, strut, and shuffle into 2014 with line dancing classes at Whiteside County Senior Center and Lee County Council on Aging! The line dancing classes start at 11 a.m. Friday at WCSC, and 10 a.m. Tuesday at LCCOA. Whether you are an experienced line dancer, or if you are just jumping in – we invite you.

Line dancing provides an excellent aerobic workout and is wonderful exercise for balance, coordination, and memory.

While the weather may be freezing outside, we’ve got a warm place, a variety of dances, and toe tappin’ tunes at WCSC or LCCOA line dance classes.

Volunteers needed at Dixon Senior Center A free community meal from Walmart Distribution Center on Nov. 21 turned out to be a huge success! About 350 people came to eat turkey, stuffing, vegetable, drink and dessert. We thank you Walmart, we appreciate it!

50/50 tickets are available Want to help support Lee County Council on Aging and have the chance to win a chunk of change? Then buy some 50/50 raffle tickets.

Money raised will help support a variety of Senior Services in Lee County.

We are selling raffle tickets up until the drawing March 12 at our Annual Chili Supper.

Last year’s lucky winner, Kristy McClain, won $1,900.

With the $1,900 to LCCOA we were able to purchase new computers for our community computer lab.

You may purchase tickets from LCCOA staff or board members, or stop in the center at 100 W. Second St. in Dixon.

Tickets are $1 for one or $5 for six.

*ANUARY s 0AGE

Stop and shop The Emporium Happy New Year from the Emporium Thrift Center.

Looking back we are thankful for all the many donations we received daily in spite of the sidewalk construction, the community always gave and gave.

We have met a lot of new customers and enjoyed seeing the regulars. All and all we are so grateful.

The volunteers do an awesome job of keeping the racks and shelves stocked. Hats off to all of them.

So let’s all pull together to make the New Year just as good or better. So have a good year and stop on by.

As the first of the year rolls around we all might need some things to keep us occupied in the house.

I thought I would mention

some of the things we have at the Emporium to help with that. We have books for both adults and children, both paperbacks and hard covers.

Our magazines and crafting books might give you some new ideas. We have puzzles, records, cassettes and VHS tapes. If you still have one of those machines we have the movies. Make the popcorn and kickback with a movie.

Who cares if it’s cold outside?

We have decided that each weekend in January we will have a sale. Watch

Golden Echo

our windows for the signs and we will guarantee that there will be a bargain for you.

Once again we thank you for all the support to the Whiteside County Senior Center. We send out a “thank you” to all the people who volunteer at the Emporium. It adds up to about 155 volunteer hours per week.

Stop and shop at The Emporium Thrift Center, 115 W. Third St. in Sterling. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and closed Wednesdays.

Janice Bell and Maxine Stern

Are you looking to do something with your spare time?

How about volunteering at the Dixon Senior Center?

We are looking for people to teach yoga, computer classes, crafts and more.

Do you have a special talent you would like to share? Or do you have a request for a certain activity? This is your center and we want you to come and enjoy activities you want.

Contact Lee County Council on Aging Activities Coordinator Jennifer Lang at 815-288-9236 to share your thoughts.

We would love to hear from you!

Recycle electronics at WCSC, LCCOA Recycle Cell Phones, Ipods, and Ipads.

The Whiteside County Senior Center and the Lee County Council on Aging collect used cell phones, iPods, and iPads to be recycled.

If you have any these items lying around and want to dispose of them drop them off at WCSC, 1207 W. Ninth St. in Sterling or LCCOA,100 W. Second St. in Dixon.

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA

Aging and disabled resource, ITAC centers L

ee County Council on Aging, Robert Fulton Community Center and Transit Facility, and Whiteside County Senior Center are selection centers for the free amplified telephone program sponsored by the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation. You need to be certified as hard of hearing, be an Illinois resident, and have a landline telephone to qualify for this program. Please bring your phone bill with all the pages, proof of address (driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, state ID, or a bill with your name and address on it) and we will help you with this program.

LCCOA, RFCC and WCSC have outreach caseworkers who provide Options counseling, Medicare counseling, information and assistance to anyone who is 60 or older and persons with disabilities. The caseworkers are Certified Information and Referral Specialists for Aging (CIRS-A) and Senior Health Insurance Program volunteer counselors. They receive training on a variety of programs and network with several

agencies in order to be informed of the options available to their clients. WCSC also offers a monthly Medicare Information class.

In order for our caseworkers to best assess your needs, ask what to bring when making your appointment or bring all of the following information: proof of all income for this year (Social Security benefits, pensions, interest, wages, any other income), Medicare card, Medicare Part D card, Medicaid card, value of all assets (bank accounts, CDs, any investments, investment property, business assets, cash value of life insurance, car, house, prepaid burial, burial plots, etc.), proof of income for 2012 (even if you do not file income taxes, we will need tax documents for Social Security benefits (SSA1099), pension (1099-R), interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), and wages (W-2, etc.), Social Security cards, and a list of current medications (including 30-day quantity and dosage).

You should call ahead for an appointment.

Home visits can be provided to clients who are homebound. Caseworkers also travel to several locations each month in both Lee and Whiteside counties (see below).

Some assistance programs may be seasonal, may have deadlines, time frames, or may require renewal. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reminder: File for the Benefits Access Program to get a $75 license plate discount. You must be 65 or disabled to file. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to call with questions.

Whiteside County Senior Center

Monday through Friday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling. For an appointment, call 815-

626-7707, or toll-free at 888-622-9230.

Jan. 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 p.m., Medicare Information class at WCSC

Jan. 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30-11:30 a.m., Prophet Manor, Prophetstown Jan. 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9-10 a.m., Erie Public Library

Jan. 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10:15-11:15 Jan. 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10:15-11:15 a.m., Odell Public Library, a.m., Robert Fulton ComMorrison munity Center, Fulton

Lee County #OUNCIL ON !GING Monday through Friday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Lee County Council on Aging, 100 W. Second St., Dixon.

For an appointment, call 815-288-9236, or toll-free at 855-407-9236.

Jan. 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10-11 a.m., Paw Paw Community Building Jan. 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1-2 p.m., Ashton Library; 2:30-3:30 p.m., Franklin Grove Library Jan. 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10-11 a.m., Amboy Community Center Jan. 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10-11 a.m., Countryside Manor, Dixon

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Golden Echo

WalnutManorNursingHome.com *ANUARY s 0AGE

LCCOA welcomes members We would like to thank the people who recently paid their Lee county Council on Aging membership dues: Bruce Anderson Patricia Anderson Marilyn Barnes Betty Bay Maria Beck Russell Beck Charles Becker Helen Ann Becker Urban Becker Dennis Bennett Penny Bennett Katherine Bertling M. Dianne Billquist Diane Blaine Linda Bock Kathleen Bodmer Jean Bogott Lyle Bogott Evelyn Bonnell Margaret L. Bonnell Maria M. Bonnell Boss Carpet One Floor & Home Jeanette Brandau Ronald Brandau Robert Brandenburg Billie Bratt Edward Bratt Arthur Burgess Lois Burgess Robert Burke Norma J. Burmeister Virginia Burnell

Betty Buzzard Donald Cadotte Alberta Callahan Evelyn Carey William Carey Lorene Case Margaret Castle Robert W. Castle Kathryn Coley Ralph Contreras Earl Delhotal Karen Didier Mary Drew Sharon Dunphy Thomas Dunphy Alice Ebersole Merle E. Ebersole Elverta Eller Corazon Ellorando Lois Erickson Albert Fantuzzi Helen Fantuzzi Doug Farster Julie Farster Lillian Farster Inge E. Fleming Curtis Floto Dorothy Floto Geraldine French Harold French Georgia Diann Frey Les Frey Cindy Gabany

Keith Gabany RenĂŠe Gilge Amy Gillespie Arlene Glaser Frances Griffith Lila Hadaway Mary Ellen Hamburg Marlene Heckman Melvin Heckman Clayton Heller James Hey Whitni Hey Fredda Hoffman Carol Holland Curtis Holland Elizabeth Huffstutler Irene James Kenneth James Evelyn Kalas Rose Mary Kellen Joan Kelly Roger Kelly Rosemary Keough Emil â&#x20AC;&#x153;Andyâ&#x20AC;? Kessel Kathy Kessel Bonnie Klamen Mary Ann Knoll Colleen Koch Mildred Lamkin Barbara Lawless Dr. Thomas Lawless Donald Lebre Verdeen Lebre

John H. Leffelman Mary K. Leffelman Louis Levan Patricia Levan Carole Lightner Jerrell D. Long Marilyn J. Long Marilyn Lynch Mary MacMillan Carol Mall Donald Mall Carolyn Marshall William Marshall Margaret Matthew Robert Matthew James McAllister Joyce McAllister Carol McCoy Sarah McCoy Charlene McNinch Joyce M. Montavon Richard C. Montavon James Moore K. Nadine Moore Joseph Morrissey Nancy L. Morrissey Fred Nesbit Donna Newman Faye Nicklaus Gordon Nicklaus Nell Nooney Delores A. Northrop William F. Northrop

WCSC welcomes members We would like to thank the people who recently paid their Whiteside County Senior Center membership dues: Mary Eisentraut Ronald Gipson Lee and Carolyn Ledford

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WCSC kitchen

BY CATHY REGLIN Lee County Council on Aging

H

appy New Year!

Whether you had a good year or a bad year, I hope the coming year is better. One of my New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolutions is to make the â&#x20AC;&#x153;insertâ&#x20AC;? button on my keyboard work â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t toggle for me from insert to overwrite. It always inserts. If you know how to fix this, please call me at the number below.

That gets one thing off my list.

Jan. 15 is Dixon Main Streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lunch and Learn in the Ballroom.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always good food for $3, and you learn whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat that with a stick!

If you need a beautiful place to have a gettogether, look us up at www.posthouseballroom.com, www.posthouseballroom.shutterfly.com, then email me at posthouseballroom@ gmail.com, or call me at 815-288-0892, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll talk.

Also, look us up on Facebook and see the pictures.

5PCOMING EVENTS Jan. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Jan. 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Line Dancing; The Stage Door Jan. 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Stage Door Jan. 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Line Dancing; The Stage Door Jan. 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dixon Main Streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lunch and Learn

Jan. 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Stage Door Jan. 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Martin King Luther Jr. Day Jan. 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lee County Council on Aging Board meetings Jan. 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Line Dancing; The Stage Door

Jan. 23 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Stage Door Jan. 24 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The United Way of Lee County Jan. 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Line Dancing; The Stage Door Jan. 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Stage Door

Happy New Year.

I hope you all had a magical Christmas season.

We begin the new year here in our kitchen knowing we have had some prayers answered this past year, and we are thankful. We have also lost some we will hold in our hearts forever.

We continue to do our best for you, by providing a good meal at a modest cost. With the help of the Sauk Valley Food Bank and the Salvation Army we will strive to do just that this next year.

We are seeing some new faces in the dining room and hope to see more. Anyone with an appetite is welcome to come and eat in our

dining room.

We have had several of our local law enforcement officers come and join us and visit with us.

When you support us here for lunch you are helping with a wide range of things our center provides for our community.

We have so many things going on here, we ourselves find it hard to keep track at times.

We have some of the most dedicated volunteers in the area, and could use a few more in the facility. So come on by, have lunch with us, and see what we are all about. You might be surprised.

As always God Bless you this new year and thank you!

When It Comes To Your Health Trust The Professionals We Offer All Your Home Health Care Needs

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Call toll-free (888) 741-8985

to be connected with the team in your area!

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3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA

Golden Echo

1RUWKHUQ ,OOLQRLV +RPH 0HGLFDO 6XSSO\ 1)3 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Compassionate Careâ&#x20AC;Ś Quality Productsâ&#x20AC;?

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CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AT WCSC

!"/6% Eating breakfast and getting pictures taken with Santa at Santa’s Workshop at Whiteside County Senior Center.

4/0 2)'(4 Santa Claus taking a picture with Miley during Santa’s Workshop on Dec. 14 at Whiteside County Senior Center. "/44/- 2)'(4 Elves taking children shopping at Santa’s Workshop at Whiteside County Senior Center. Everyone had a great time.

AARP tax aides to prepare returns for free AARP tax aides will be preparing 2013 tax returns again this year for low and middleincome taxpayers at the Lee County Council on Aging and the Whiteside County Senior Center. It is not necessary to be a member of AARP or of a particular age to participate in this program.

For tax assistance at Lee County Council on Aging/Dixon Senior Center you may schedule an appointment by stopping in at 100 W. Second St., Dixon and

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picking up an information packet. The receptionist will then schedule your appointment.

No appointments will be taken over the phone until you have picked up your information packet. Appointments will be scheduled at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays starting Jan. 30 and ending April 10.

For assistance at the Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling please call 815-622-9230.

Appointment schedule to be announced.

Tax preparation will be for individual taxes, not for businesses such as farm income, rentals, partnerships or other business returns. We also do not do health savings accounts, minor’s investment income, some K-1’s, or moving expenses, and LCCOA does not do cancellation of debt.

Taxpayers are reminded to bring a copy of last year’s tax return, Social Security cards, not medicare cards,

and at least one picture ID such as a driver license, passport, etc. for themselves and each dependent, together with any of the following documents that apply to 2013: W-2 forms showing income from each employer.

Unemployment Compensation statements.

SSA-1099 forms showing Social Security benefits received.

RRB-1099 or RRB-

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1099R forms showing railroad retirement benefits received.

All forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc) showing interest and/or dividends.

Documentation showing original purchase prices of stocks or assets sold and their selling price. Note, we will not be able to do returns with an extensive number of sales.

1099-MISC forms showing any miscellaneous income.

1099-R forms for pensions and annuities.

All forms indicating income taxes and real estate taxes paid.

Dependent care provider information (name, address, employee ID or Social Security number).

Receipts, cancelled checks, or other records for itemizing deductions.

Real Estate Tax receipt with the registered lot number.

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CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AT LCCOA

ABOVE: Many enjoyed breakfast in the Dixon Senior Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dining room before going upstairs to Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop.

RIGHT: Volunteer â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elfâ&#x20AC;? Devon Jensen from the Dixon High School Key Club helps kids shop for loved ones during Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop.

DOUG

$2 one-way for ages 6-59, and 50 cents each way for CONTINUED FROM 2 ages 5 and under. Let our friendly bus drivers get Want to attend our you safely to your desired activities but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enjoy destination! driving during the winter?

Mark your calendar!

Check out the Whiteside Allen Edwards â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The County Public Transpor- Singer will be making a tation system by calling return appearance for the 815-625-7433 (RIDE) to Whiteside County Senior book your reservation at Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Fundleast 24 hours in advance. raising Concert at 2 p.m.

They will be happy to take on Sunday, May 18. Allen you to the WCSC or to was a big hit last year with any other destination you all of the audience memwould like to go. Fares bers. Buy your tickets for are free for those over 60, Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, birthday

presents, or just because, as this will be the show you want to see! Call 888622-9230 or 815-622-9230 to reserve your tickets.

Ticket prices and sponsorship packages will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 20! WCSC will be promoting and selling the tickets for this concert. All proceeds from the concert will go to support the programs and operations of the Whiteside County Senior Center.

It looks like 2014 will be a very exciting year at the

WCSC, so please take time to come and check us out!

We have great homemade meals every day at lunch, lots of fun activities each day, and check out our Niagara Falls and Toronto bus trip, Cape Cod bus trip, and Alaskan Cruise in 2014! We will be hosting several other trips which will be listed in the next Echo!

Happy New Year to everyone from the board and staff of the WCSC! Until next month, Doug

GOOD NEWS For Seniors!

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Thank you Thank you to all our volunteers who donated their time, energy and services and those who gave monetary and non-monetary donations. We also thank everyone who gave anonymous donations.

Lee County Council on Aging Dixon Lioness Club Rita Landwer YMCA Daycare Women Marilyn LaCourse Thomas and Barbara Lawless Arlene Glaser Larry and Char Griffith Golden K of Dixon Sylvia Montavon Nancy Grygiel Norma Reed Green Acres Healthcare Tri-County Opportunities Mary Smith V. Ellis Fredda Hoffman Hal Weaver Vi Bushman Robert and Margaret Matthew CeCe Stover Fay Santos Joe Morrissey Annette Peterson Ellen Mumford Ramona Reglin Dixon McDonalds Sara Ackerson Ryver Rice Emily Brooks Justin Wiggins Jaegar Lee

Zoey Colglazier Bryson Forrest Hailey Ragan Kora Heitzler Evan Tschosik Erin Brady Karli Ewaniuk Skye Ewaniuk Erika Renkes Devin Jensen Bobbie Jo Jones Katie Foster Arielle Foster Aurora Foster Rylan Ramsdell Riley Margie McBride Ron Welch Otto Ickes Steve Potnack Tom Dzuiban Jennifer Bethsrtsiel Gene Donoho Rosi Donoho Donna Newman Becky Pepper Cece Stover Carol Rick Ed Fritts Brad Fritts Fred Nesbit

Emma Carnaghi Doug Farster Kay Miller Samantha Perez Sherry Perez Kelsi Fox Fay Jardeen Roberta Lemoine Joe Shoemaker Sandy Woodin Joan Sheridan Boss Carpet One Floor & Home Leona C. Hayene Kurt Weippert Marlene Weippert Rita Thompson Todd Etheridge Geoff Vanderlin Roberta Vanderlin Carl Gann Aaron Mossholder Marilyn Smallwood Mary Ann Kreps Gerald Kime Verna E. Knigge John W. Atkinson Mary K. Sharp Sharon Tribley Darlene Hinkle Wendy Ryerson Eileen L. Skibinskie

Juanita Day Lela Kraber Anne Lahey Jacob Scott Delores Scott James G. Vaile Mary D. Vaile Joyce U. Gibson Sylvia Montavon Marilyn Bodmer Georgia Cover Walter Fassler Mary Fassler Carl Scroggins Gary Koser Linda Koser Joyce Warrenfeltz Tom Friel Barbara Friel Ruth E. Pitts Barry R. Bacon Pamela J. Bacon Melinda Ucci George Schwemberger Barb Schwemberger Mary L. Hackbarth Virginia C. Martin Edward Murphy Tim Deem Carol Thompson

Whiteside County Senior Center Thank you to all our volunteers who donated their time, energy and services and those who gave monetary and nonmonetary donations. We also thank everyone who gave anonymous donations, and people who donated to Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop.

Halo Branded Solutions Bobi Adams Kathy Vanderlaan Karl Terry Pat Estes Mike and Susie Jones Ed and Ada Forder Kathy Forder

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Donna Crawford Cindy Hartman Hope Howell Susan Little Marilyn Scott Phil and Dorothy Szewczyk Delores Nelson Betty Fry Joan McDonald Norma Lauts

Ronda Smith Evelyn Egan Tom Brackenmeyer Becky Bailey Judy Irwin Ms. Santa Claus Group Shirley Schwarz Mary Nasluchacz Estamae Williams Aida Friesen

Golden Echo

Norma Lauts Debbie Reinhart Opal Christian Alice Ports Loren McCormick Vicky Kent Luis Velazquez Anna Young Stella Sagal

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Weekly Activities and Meetings Lee County Council on Aging Mondays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Open pool table, open cards, and open Wii games 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Computer lab 10:30 a.m. – Zumba class 11:30 a.m. – Lifescape lunch (reservations) Noon – Organized Wii Bowling games 12:30 p.m. – Duplicate Bridge

Tuesdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Open pool table, open cards, and open Wii games 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Computer lab 9 a.m. – Golden Kiwanis 10-11 a.m. – Line dancing 11:30 a.m. – Lifescape lunch (reservations) Noon – Organized Wii Bowling games 1 p.m. – Pinochle

Mondays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Playing pool, cards, Wii machine, socializing, and computer lab 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle in the Big Room 12:30 p.m. – Crochet/Knitting Club 12:30 p.m. – Friendly Mexican Train Dominoes, $5 to play, prizes, and bring a snack

Tuesdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Playing pool, cards, Wii machine, socializing, and computer lab 10 a.m.-noon – Commodities, must meet income guidelines 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch 12:30 p.m. – Euchre, $2 to play, bring a snack 1:30 p.m. – Wii/Yoga and Zumba

Wednesdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Open pool table, open cards, and open Wii games 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Computer lab 11:30 a.m. – Lifescape lunch (reservations) Noon – Organized Wii Bowling games 1 p.m. – Pinochle

Thursdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Open pool table, open cards, and open Wii games 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Computer lab 10:30 a.m. – Zumba class 11:30 a.m. – Lifescape lunch (reservations) Noon – Organized Wii Bowling games 1 p.m. – Crocheting and crafting 5:30 p.m. – Overeaters Anonymous

Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Open pool table, open cards, and open Wii games 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Computer lab 11:30 a.m. – Lifescape lunch (reservations) Noon – Organized Wii Bowling games 12:30 p.m. – Duplicate bridge 1 p.m. – Pinochle

Whiteside County Senior Center Wednesdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Playing pool, cards, Wii machine, socializing, and computer lab 10 a.m. – Farkle 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle in the Big Room 12:30 p.m. – Bridge

Thursdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Playing pool, cards, Wii machine, socializing, and computer lab 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch 12:30 p.m. – “Hand and Foot” card game, similar to Canasta, but a lot shorter, $2

Fridays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. – Playing pool, cards, Wii machine, socializing, and computer lab 11 a.m. – Line dancing (Except: 10-11 a.m. Jan. 24 in Polo) 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch 12:30 p.m. – Mexican Train Dominoes $5 to play, prizes, and bring a snack 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle in the Big Room

Monthly Activities and Meetings Lee County Council on Aging Jan. 1 Site closed for New Year’s Day Jan. 7 10 a.m. – Line dancing class Jan. 8 12:30 p.m. – Fall prevention presented

by CVP Healthcare

Jan. 9 10-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Oregon Living & Rehabilitation Jan. 10 9:30 a.m. – Bingo, sponsored by Green Acres Healthcare & Rehabilitation

Jan. 14 10 a.m. – Line dancing class Noon – How to Deal with Grief workshop with Unity Hospice of Northern Illinois 1 p.m. – Bingo, sponsored by Liberty Court Jan. 20 Site closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 21 10-11 a.m. – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Polo Rehabilitation & Healthcare 10 a.m. – Line dancing class Jan. 23 12:30 p.m. – Puzzles and games with LCCOA staff

Jan. 24 9:30 a.m. – Bingo, sponsored by Lee County Council on Aging Jan. 28 10 a.m. – Line dancing class Jan. 31 Noon – Chase Away Winter Blues with Hearty Soups

Whiteside County Senior Center Jan. 1 Site closed for New Year’s Day Jan. 8 11 a.m.-noon – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Gaffey Home Nursing 11:25 a.m. – Celebrating January birthdays 12:30 p.m. – Bingo with prizes, sponsored by Good Neighbor Care, Sterling, snacks sponsored by Whiteside County Senior Center Jan. 9 5 p.m. – Alzheimer’s Support Group

Jan. 10 1 p.m. – Medicare information class, free, call 622-9230 to register

Jan. 14 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Outreach caseworker at Prophet Manor, Prophetstown

Jan. 16 10-11 a.m. – Outreach caseworker at Robert Fulton Community Center, Fulton

Jan. 11 1 p.m. – Sauk Computer User Group will meet with a question and answer time. At 2:15, there will be a presentation

by Angie Rester on Card Making Programs. Everyone is invited to be there if you have an interest in computers.

Jan. 15 9-10 a.m. – Outreach caseworker at Erie Public Library 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Transitions Nursing & Rehab Center 12:30 p.m. – Bingo with prizes, sponsored by Transitions Nursing & Rehab Center, snacks sponsored by Whiteside County Senior Center

Jan. 22 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Sterling Pavilion 12:30 p.m. – Bingo with prizes, sponsored by Vista Hospice, snacks sponsored by Whiteside County Senior Center

Jan. 13 10-11 a.m. – Outreach caseworker at Odell Public Library, Morrison

Jan. 29 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Sterling Pavilion 12:30 p.m. – Bingo with prizes, sponsored by VCP, snacks sponsored by Whiteside County Senior Center Jan. 31 12:30 p.m. – It’s Showtime! Movie and popcorn are free. The movie is “Eight Below.” Rated PG. Brutal cold forces two Antarctic explorers to leave their team of sled dogs behind as they fend for their survival. Starring Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, and Bruce Greenwood. The movie is sponsored by Whiteside HomeCare.

Robert Fulton Community Center Come in anytime to play pool, cards, board games, corn bag toss. We have a large screen TV, pianos, books and puzzles to loan out, four sewing machines, two personal computers and four Macs available.

Jan. 1 Site closed for New Year’s Day Jan. 6 8:30-10 a.m. – Community Coffee with Whiteside Homecare

Jan. 7 1 p.m. – Euchre Jan. 8 11-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks, sponsored by Whiteside HomeCare 11 a.m.-noon – Bingo after lunch

Jan. 10 11-11:30 – Blood pressure checks Jan. 14 1 p.m. – Euchre

Visit us on our website: www.cityoffulton.us Look under the community and government heading!

Jan. 16 10-11 a.m. – Outreach caseworker here, call 888-622-9230 for an appointment Jan. 17 11-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks Jan. 21 1 p.m. – Euchre

Jan. 24 11-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks Jan. 28 1 p.m. – Euchre Jan. 31 11-11:30 a.m. – Blood pressure checks

Meals for January Serving at Lee County Council on Aging Jan. 1-3 Wednesday: Site closed for New Year’s Day. Thursday: A) Pizza burger, tator tots, corn and chilled pineapple; B) Roast beef sandwich and cream of mushroom soup. Friday: Cheese omelette, turkey sausage, hash brown potatoes, blueberry muffin and Mandarin oranges.

Jan. 6-10 Monday: Shredded barbecue chicken on wheat bun, augratin potatoes, Capri blend vegetables and fresh orange.

Tuesday: A) Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes with gravy, glazed baby carrots, bread and fruit cocktail; B) Ham sandwich and chicken noodle soup.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour meatballs, fluffy rice, steamed broccoli, Lima beans and diced pears. Thursday: Italian beef on hoagie bun, potato pancakes, winter blend vegetables and cinnamon applesauce. Friday: Mushroom Swiss burger on bun, tator tots, green beans and sliced peaches.

Jan. 13-17 Monday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, steamed peas, corn, garlic bread and fresh pear. Tuesday: Citrus baked ham, sweet potatoes, Capri blend vegetables, wheat bread and Jell-O with fruit. Wednesday: Beef and noodles, glazed baby carrots, steamed peas, roll and peach cobbler. Thursday: Tropical chicken salad on greens, croissant, apricots and pineapple juice. Friday: A) Dirty rice with beef, corn with peppers, broccoli, wheat bread and apricots; B) Liver and onions.

Jan. 20-24 Monday: Breaded chicken Parmesan, pasta with marinara, steamed broccoli, roll and diced pears. Tuesday: Sausage gravy with biscuit, hash brown and fruit juice. Wednesday: Bratwurst with onions on bun, tator tots, Italian blend vegetables and chilled applesauce. Thursday: A) Beef stew, buttermilk biscuit, cauliflower and fresh orange; B) Turkey sandwich and vegetable soup. Friday: Chicken fiesta taco with cheese, lettuce and tomato, Spanish rice, Mexican corn and citrus fruit cup.

Jan. 27-31 Monday: Hamburger on bun, macaroni and cheese, seasoned green beans and diced pears. Tuesday: A) Baked chicken breast, mashed potatoes with gravy, four-way vegetables, wheat roll and fruit cocktail; B) Chicken salad sandwich and tomato soup. Wednesday: Chef salad with turkey, ham, cheese, tomato, cucumber, egg and dressing, wheat roll and sliced peaches. Thursday: Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, steamed peas, waxed beans, garlic bread and chilled pineapple. Friday: Hot ham and cheese on wheat bun, tator tots, Scandinavian blend vegetables and chilled apricots.

Serving at Whiteside County Senior Center Jan. 1-3 Wednesday: Site closed for New Year’s Day. Thursday: Tuna noodle casserole, salad and dessert. Friday: Italian beef sandwich, salad and dessert.

Jan. 6-10 Monday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable and dessert. Tuesday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable and dessert. Wednesday: Lasagna, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Thursday: Barbecue chicken, potato, vegetable and dessert. Friday: Beef stew, salad and dessert.

Jan. 13-17 Monday: Oven fried chicken, baked potato, corn and dessert. Tuesday: Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Wednesday: Chili, corn bread, salad and dessert. Thursday: Pork chop, potato, vegetable and dessert. Friday: Cook’s choice.

Jan. 20-24 Monday: Site closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tuesday: Baked cod, potato, vegetable and dessert. Wednesday: Chicken breast, potato, vegetable and dessert. Thursday: Tacos, refried beans, rice and dessert. Friday: Cook’s choice.

Jan. 27-31 Monday: Ham, potato, vegetable and dessert. Tuesday: Goulash, vegetable and dessert. Wednesday: Creamed chicken and biscuit, vegetable and dessert. Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable and dessert. Friday: Hot dog or brat, salad and dessert.

Serving at Golden Meals in Rock Falls Jan. 1-3 Wednesday: Site closed for New Year’s Day. Thursday: Barbecue ribettes, cheesy potatoes, mixed vegetables, applesauce and bread. Friday: Tater tot casserole, green beans, mixed fruit and bread.

Jan. 6-10 Monday: Herb baked chicken, parslied potatoes, mixed vegetables, vanilla pudding and bread. Tuesday: Polka dot macaroni and cheese, peas, spiced peaches and bread. Wednesday: Turkey tetrazzini, carrots, mixed fruit and bread. Thursday: Roast pork with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce and roll. Friday: Brat on bun, ranch potatoes, mixed vegetables and pears.

Jan. 13-17 Monday: Barbecue chicken, ranch mashed potatoes, broccoli, Mandarin oranges and bread. Tuesday: Beef stew, cole slaw, rosy applesauce and biscuit.

Wednesday: Ham loaf, sweet potatoes, peas, pineapple and bread. Thursday: Easy chicken casserole, white and wild rice, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit and bread. Friday: Baked fish, tater tots, spinach, peaches and bread.

Jan. 20-24 Monday: Site closed for Martin Luther King Day. Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, pears and bread.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger on bun, German potato salad, baked beans and tapioca pudding. Thursday: Roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, mixed fruit and bread. Friday: Chili with meat and beans, carrots, apricots and corn bread.

Jan. 27-31 Monday: Sloppy Joe on bun, parslied potatoes, vegetable blend, peaches and bread. Tuesday: Salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, beets, mixed fruit and bread. Wednesday: Goulash, green beans, pears and bread. Thursday: Barbecue ribettes, cheesy potatoes, mixed vegetables, applesauce and bread. Friday: Tater tot casserole, peas, mixed fruit and bread.

Serving at Robert Fulton Community Center in Fulton Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m.

Jan. 1 Site closed for New Year’s Day

Jan. 17 Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, vegetable and dessert

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Jan. 3 Tater tot casserole, vegetable, roll and dessert Jan. 22 Harbor Crest chili with crackers, rolls and dessert by Elsie

Jan. 8 Lunch sponsored by Guardian

Jan. 24 Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable and dessert

Golden Echo

Jan. 10 Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, vegetable and dessert

Jan. 15 Eagle Point Nursing & Rehab lunch

Jan. 29 Biscuits and gravy, sausage links, fruit and cookie

Jan. 31 Vegetable soup, deli sandwich, salad and dessert

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Transportation Lee-Ogle Transportation System

WCPT Spotlight

Fares: (within zip code) Ages 5 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

$1 one way

People age 6 to 59 years

$2 one way

Seniors or individuals with a disability (unless qualified under Medicaid or other program)

$1 one way

Out-of-town trips can be arranged, subject to availability

35 cents per mile

Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

888-239-9228 or 815-288-2117

Whiteside County Public Transportation

Edith Canales Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs-AmeriCorps VISTA

Fares: (within county) Ages 5 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

50 cents one way

People age 6 to 59 years

$2 one way

Seniors or individuals with a disability (unless qualified under Medicaid or other program)

Donation suggested

Out-of-county trips can be arranged, subject to availability

25 cents per mile

Edith Canales joined in June 2013 and has made a commitment to one year of VISTA service with WCPT. She loves her job.

Edith is married and has three children that are her life.

Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

Contact WCPT or LOTS today to help you get where you need to go.

Find WCPT and LOTS on Facebook.

855-625-7433 or 815-625-7433

Public transportation always an option Happy New Year to all the Sauk Valley Community! On behalf of Lee-Ogle Transportation System and Whiteside County Public Transportation, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

As we move in January, the temperature continues to remain below freezing, road-

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA

ways are icy, and driving personal vehicles continues to be a challenge during this time of year. Public transportation can be a fantastic option to keep your car in the garage, nice and warm.

As you can imagine, public transportation ridership increases greatly during the

winter months, so as always, we encourage you to contact your local provider as soon as you know you have a need for a ride.

Safety is always the number one concern for the public transportation administration team for both drivers and passengers. In January, all Lee and

Golden Echo

Ogle County public transportation drivers will attend an 8 hour training that is taught by the Rural Technical Assistance Center. The three major trainings include: Defensive Driving, Emergency Procedures, and Passenger Assistance. In addition, drivers endure additional trainings such as winter driving

skills to make sure that all vehicles on the road are as safe as possible. It is our goal to ensure that our passengers are safe.

Lee County would like to congratulate Whiteside County on successfully completing their trainings over the summer.

Thank you for choosing public transportation and stay warm!

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Upcoming trips To sign up and pay, or for questions, please visit or call Dixon Senior Center 100 W. Second St., Dixon 855-407-9236 — OR — Whiteside County Senior Center 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling 888-622-9230

The Midtown Men at the Paramount Theatre Friday, Feb. 14 Leave Rock Falls Community Center at 9 a.m.

Leave Dixon Walmart at 9:30 a.m.

Cost – $75 members; $80 nonmembers Grab your sweetheart, or friends you’re really fond of, and celebrate Valentine’s Day with four voices so silky smooth you can skip the Dove chocolate.

The Midtown Men are the original cast of Broadways Jersey Boys. They took Broadway by storm in one of the biggest hits of all-time! Now they are together again, taking their sensational sound on the road. Audiences from coast to coast are raving about this one-of-a-kind concert experience celebrating the music of the 1960s with classic songs by The Beatles, Beach Boys, Motown, The Four Seasons and more!

Cost includes transportation on a chartered bus and ticket into show. Lunch will be on your own at Cracker Barrel prior to show.

Niagara Falls and Toronto Trip Sunday through Saturday, June 1-7 Cost – $639 Motorcoach transportation; 6 nights lodging including 4 nights in Niagara Falls; six breakfasts and four dinners; guided tours of Niagara Falls and Toronto; a Journey to The Falls on a “Hornblower Niagara Cruise”; gaming at Fallsview Casino; a visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Queen Victoria Park; a visit to Casa Loma, Canada’s most magnificent castle, and much more. Stop in and pick up a flyer.

Alaska Anyone?

Thursday through Friday, Aug. 28-Sept. 5 Cost – $2,800 per person for an inside cabin with a $600 deposit due (based on double occupancy) Final payment is due by June 1 Thursday we will be staying overnight in Seattle. Friday, Aug. 29, we will board the Celebrity Solstice for a 7-night cruise. We depart from Seattle and visit Ketchican, Juneau, Skadway and Victoria, B.C. We will travel through the inside passage and visit the Twin Sawyer Glaciers. Please call 815-622-9230 and ask for Glenda.

Cape Cod Trip Saturday through Sunday, Sept. 20-28 Cost – $769 Motorcoach transportation; 8 nights lodging including nights in the quaint Cape Cod area; eight breakfasts and six dinners; a tour of the “Outer Cape” including Provincetown and Chatham; a visit to the JFK Museum; gaming at Turning Stone Casino; a Hyannis Harbor Cruise; an exploration of the historic seaside towns of Hyannis and Sandwich; a visit to the Heritage Museums and Gardens; and much more. Stop in and pick up a flyer.

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Golden Echo

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Upcoming special events Euchre Tournament at Sterling Moose Family Center 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 Cost – $5 per player with 25 cents per set Come and play in the euchre tournament. Prizes for first-, second- and third-place. Come in side door. Bring a snack. Call Ron Wolber at 630-9651621 for more information Come in side door.

Fall Prevention presentation at LCCOA 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 Falls are a real concern for older adults. It is estimated that one out of every three adults age 65 or older, fall each year. Tips will be given on how you can protect yourself by eliminating hazards, understanding health-related factors, and other things that you can do to prevent falls.

Medicare information class at WCSC 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 Free The basic information that we provide will help our community members who are new to Medicare and those who want more information, make a more informed decision when it comes to their options with Medicare. Our Outreach Department staff are trained Senior Health Insurance Program volunteer counselors. SHIP is a free counseling service provided by the Illinois Department of Insurance. Please call 815-622-9230 to register for this class.

Puzzles and Games at LCCOA 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 Get out of the cold and join us for an afternoon of fun and games. We will be testing ourselves with riddles and puzzles. Prizes will be given and treats will be eaten.

National Handwriting Day at WCSC 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 Come and show off your handwriting! First and second place winners for the best handwriting. You will write a paragraph we show you.

National Pie Day at WCSC Thursday, Jan. 23 Come and enjoy one of our lunches for $5 and get a piece of homemade pie for dessert. Delicious!

The Basics of Alzheimer’s at WCSC 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27 Cost – $5 for materials Discover more about symptoms, causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia, the benefits of early detection, treatment options, stages of the disease, and ways the Association can help. Call 800-272-3900 to register for the program.

Presentation by Nathan Fellows at WCSC

National Puzzle Day at WCSC

3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 Nathan Fellows will be talking about a class available for those who wish to know more about technology such as cell phones and computers. The class will help you to better utilize the technology of today. For more information, call 815-632-7293.

10:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 Come and put a puzzle together. Prizes for first and second for the best time!

The same puzzle will be used for everyone. Come and have some fun!

National Hat Day at WCSC 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 Wear a special hat today and you could win a prize! First prize for the best decorated hat and first prize for the ugliest hat! This will be fun!

Scrapbooking class at WCSC 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 Cost – $5 for materials Beginners and advanced scrapbooking class. Bring scissors, double sided tape or glue stick, and four to six pictures that we will use. Double sided tape and cutter will have for sale that day or we can order for next class. Call 815622-9230 to register.

National Blood Donor Month at WCSC 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 Individuals who are 17 years of age and older, meet weight and height requirements and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor care or other form of photo ID when you come to donate. Please call 815-622-9230 to make an appointment. You will help save lives.

Fall Prevention Presentation at WCSC 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17 The presentation will cover risk factors of falls in the elderly, prevention tips and home safety precautions. This is presented by Beth Sterk of Whiteside HomeCare.

It’s Showtime! at WCSC 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 Skeeter, a southern society girl, returns from college determined to become a writer, but turns her friends’ lives – and a small Mississippi town – upside down when she decides to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent southern families.

Foot Clinic at WCSC 1 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 Foot care will be available for all senior citizens over 60. For appointments call Whiteside County Health Department at 815-772-4213. A doctor’s order is required for all clients receiving foot care.

Wellness Event at WCSC 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 Come join VCP Home health Care Inc for this Wellness Event. They will be doing blood pressure and oxygen level checks. Snacks will be provided.

Chase Away the Winter Blues with Hearty Soups at LCCOA Noon-1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 The University of Illinois Extension will teach us the basic soup concepts and terms, tips to increase flavor in soups while keeping them healthy, different preparation methods and cooking demonstrations & recipes to help prepare healthy meals at home.

It’s Showtime! at WCSC 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 Cost – $5 for lunch The movie and popcorn are free. The movie is “Eight Below.” Brutal cold forces two Antarctic explorers to leave their team of sled dogs behind as they fend for their survival. Starring Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, and Bruce Greenwood. The movie is sponsored by Whiteside HomeCare.

Lee County Council on Aging serves a Free Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 Breakfast will be followed by LCCOA speakers.

Come see all the great happening’s at the Senior Center and learn about what we can do for you.

Reservations for breakfast are required, call 815-288-9236 by Feb. 10.

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January 22

Solid Gold Sixties, Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI

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Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook

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Mary Poppins, Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI

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