9 minute read
From the Directors
From the LCCOA Executive Director
By Susan Lawler
I cannot believe it is March! Last year at this time we were getting ready for our annual Chili Supper.
We had over 170 seniors and friends that attended our event. All of LCCOA’s staff, and the wonderful staff and Director Bonnie O’Connell from Heritage Square helped serve our fun loving group. Everyone had a grand Ole Opry time. Our theme was country and western and our DJ was Darrell and Patty of The Red Hot Karaoke and DJ Service. The music was foot stomping and everyone had an amazing time. In fact, we ran out of Chili for the first time in the history of Chili Supper’s. We had doubled our order from prior years, but seniors were calling friends and arriving at our door. LCCOA cannot thank everyone enough for their support. Especially Franklin Grove, The Meadows of Franklin Grove and Oregon Living & Rehabilitation Center and KSB for their financial support.
Unfortunately this year we will not be having our annual Chili Supper. We are so sad not to have all our friends here to celebrate another rooten tooten event. This fundraiser was a favorite of all our staff and seniors. We are optimistic that we will be able to have our Prom in late May.
Valentine’s Day Lunch
The calls were coming in to thank LCCOA for the Valentine’s Day Lunch, games and cards. We are so happy we were able to brighten up your day, and provide you with a delicious meal. Since we were such a hit, we are repeating this event. This time it will be a St. Patrick’s Day lunch and a few shamrocks thrown in. Sorry no green beer! Call LCCOA at 815-288-9236 if you would like to be
We are still in need of gently used clothing, shoes, purses, belts, ties, and bedding. The drop-off date is March 23 and March 24. We are heading to Carol Stream. This is a great time to clean out your closets and help LCCOA at the same time.
Covid Vaccine Shot
If you are having difficulty registering for the vaccine, or if you need a ride to and from the vaccination center, please call us at 815-288-9236. All rides are free!
Passing of Friends
January was an extremely hard month on LCCOA’s friends and families. We not only lost Joe Rudolphi and Ed Kerley, we also lost Robert Wright, Roberta Berwanger and Roger Landreth. All three were members and supporters of LCCOA. Each one contributed their talents, smiles and caring for our senior center.They truly wanted LCCOA to thrive and continue to assist the seniors of Lee County. Their legacy is their friends and families and LCCOA. They will always be remembered by all our staff, Board of Directors and myself. You could see Robert outside at the Nachusa House shoveling away with a smile on his face. You could see how much he loved giving of himself to the community. Roberta, her passion for bridge, bingo and Zumba was written all over her face. Her eyes glisten with joy. Last, but not least Roger a true die heart bridge player. You could seem him here at LCCOA on any given Friday playing bridge. You must know that our bridge players, here at LCCOA are very serious players, any little noise would disturb their concentration. Many of Fridays, I would try to tip toe through the room so my high heels wouldn’t make noise, and I could see Roger give me a look, but then a small smile, as he could see my heels extended off the floor. I know his fellow bridge players will truly miss his dedication to the team. We here at LCCOA will miss all our seniors that have passed through our doors and unto the doors of Heaven. May God take care of them through their next journey. Goodbye old friends until we meet again.
Until next time, LCCOA a place where you belong, a place to call home.
– Susan
From the WCSC Assistant Director
By Beth Sterk
As I am writing this it is officially the coldest day of winter here in Sterling -10 degrees. BBRRR. We as humans always look forward to the freshness of spring! I think the spring of 2021 will be a welcomed sight in many ways! Although we look forward to the seasonal changes and Daylight Savings Time, changes in our life are sometimes really, really hard!
Everyone has faced changes during the pandemic, on many different levels. It is how we deal with changes that affect our well-being. When we are faced with the unknown, it is easy to become anxious. When our senior center staff first started working remotely, it was challenging! We have adapted, we are keeping patrons safe and we continue to make remote adjustments to provide the best customer service possible to each of you during this pandemic.
“When we don’t have enough information about the future – when things are uncertain, it makes perfect sense to be anxious,” says Amelia Aldao, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist in New York City. She shares that there are some simple techniques for coping with unknowns, both now and in the future: • Tune out all the unproductive worrying – Try to differentiate how much of your fretting is productive (making sure there is enough food in the house) versus unproductive (staying up all night thinking about worst case scenarios). If there is nothing you can do about it, it’s not worth the worry! • Focus on what you are grateful for – Find the silver lining. • Accept what you can’t control – Accepting the gray area is a giant step toward regaining some peace of mind. An obsessive consumption of information – an attempt to grasp for certainty – paradoxically, can make things worse. Aldao says that “wanting to know and control everything fuels uncertainty.”
Let’s take care of ourselves and each other in the next few months, as uncertainty continues, seasonal changes fluctuate, vaccination opportunities shift, and as covid guidelines change.
Please reach out to us (extension 101 for Reception, extension 194 for Outreach. and extension 110 for myself) with needs you might have and we will be happy to assist you remotely. We check our messages every morning, Monday through Friday, and on a regular basis throughout the day.
Let’s try to remember to let go of what we cannot change and embrace the beauty and blessings around us!
A positive reflection I like to focus on, “When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond- that’s where your power is.”
Be Well … and may you find a fourleaf clover!
Beth Sterk WCSC Assistant Director
Golden Echo published monthly by Sauk Valley Media, 113-115 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, IL 61021, 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 of 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.
POST HOUSE Planning an event at the Ballroom?
Here are some questions you’ll want to ask while making plans for your special day
While Covid has put a pause on weddings and special events, the show must go on! A new year brings us hope and joy while planning events. Let us help you turn the next page of your life.
Tips on how to make your special day your own:
How many people can the Ballroom accommodate?
The Ballroom can seat 200 guests comfortably, 240 while using the North Hall, or 280 with standing room only
Do you serve alcohol in your Ballroom?
Absolutely! We have a stationary vintage bar, and one mobile unit. The mobile unit can be placed anywhere in the Ballroom for your guests’ ease.
What about an Open Bar? How does that work?
That depends ... How much do you want to spend? What would you like to serve for your open bar? We ask that you choose 5 to 6 different beverages that you would like served during the event for your menu.
Do all beverages count towards my open bar?
No, only the beverages that are on your menu will be tallied.
What if a guest drinks something off the menu?
Any beverage not on your menu will be considered Cash Bar. Your guests will be required to pay cash for their beverage.
What happens when the money runs out for the Open Bar?
The bartender will let the bride or groom know when you are close to running out of your open bar funds.You can then choose to put more money toward the open bar or turn the bar into a cash bar for your guests.
Stay Tuned for next month’s edition for more of “How to make your special day your own:”
LCCOA phone numbers
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 100 West Second Street – Dixon, IL, 61021
Main number 815-288-9236
Transportation 815-288-9236
Post House Ballroom 815-288-9236
Outreach services & free phones for hearing impaired
Outreach hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
E-mail us at lccoa@comcast.net Visit us at www.leecountycouncilonaging.net or www.posthouseballroom.net or find us on Facebook
WCSC phone numbers
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling
Transportation – 815-625-7433 • Information – 815-622-9230
ADRC hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday Walk-ins from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Outreach and free phones for hard of hearing/ low vision 815-622-9230
Toll-free 888-622-9230
Email at info@wc-seniorcenter.org Go to wc-seniorcenter.org or follow us on Facebook. The Emporium Thrift Store 115 E. Third St., Sterling • 815-535-0368
