From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all our senior friends from LCCOA’s staff, drivers, Board of Director’s and myself.

To celebrate Easter we will have an Easter Egg hunt outside of our building on Second Street from 1-2 p.m. April 1. There will be 3 eggs with special prizes in them. One egg will have two weeks of free lunches every day; the second egg will have one week of free lunches every day. For an added touch the lunches will be delivered to your homes by our amazing Senior Transportation drivers. The final and third Egg will have 5 free rides. This is no April fool’s joke!! This for real, so come on out and join the outdoor fun; (please wear your mask). We here at LCCOA promise you an afternoon of fun and laughter. Easter Parade

“In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it” ...

Since Easter is early this year; we here at LCCOA decided to have an Easter Parade the day after Easter.

On Easter Monday at 1:30-2 p.m.; we will gather on Second Street and walk around to the front of the building; so everyone on Galena Avenue can see all the wonderful bonnets/ hats. There will be a prize for the best Bonnet/hat. So all you crafters, put your on thinking caps ( no pun intended), and come up with some interesting Bonnets. Fun Saver’s Clothing Drive

I guess the snow stop our supporters from bringing their gently used clothing, belts, purses, bedding and shoes. We just didn’t meet our goal this time. The weather is changing, so go through those closets, attics and basements, and come on down with all your treasures to LCCOA. We are waiting for you. The drive will run until May 10; talk it up to your friends, family and neighbors. Aaliyah will even come out to your car and grab those bags. What would we do without Aaliyah, she truly is LCCOA hidden treasure.

Mackinac Island

LCCOA is so, so sorry Diamond Tours has postponed the Mackinac Island trip due to their corporate decision that all seniors traveling on their buses must have the second Covid-19 vaccine shot. LCCOA has decided to cancel the trip until Diamond Tours finalizes their agenda. We feel it is unfair to our seniors to keep getting their hopes up just to turn around and dash them. As soon as we have a firm commitment from Diamond tours we will notify all our clients. LCCOA will be returning your checks/money. Thank you for always supporting LCCOA. We are heartbroken: we too were looking forward to this adventure.

Back in My Day

Our first edition of our senior book was so successful; therefore we are publishing a second edition. Please send in your recipes, stores, poems or just a list of sayings your parents and grandparents use to say. Our goal here at LCCOA is to have at least four editions which we can publish into a hard cover book. So please help to make our second edition a success. You may e-mail your writings to lccoa@comcast.net, you may mail it to us at: 100 W. Second St., Dixon , IL. 61021, or call 815-288-9236. Thank You!!

The First United Methodist Church heard we were struggling to pay off our furnace; the wonderful parishioners of this parish held a collection; not only were we able to pay off our furnace we were able to pay for some long overdue repairs. I lay in bed at night thinking how are we going to survive in the face of Covid-19, and then this great community always steps up to the plate. I know God is watching over us here at LCCOA, with the help of amazing people from the First United Methodist Church. Thank you for the bottom of our hearts here at LCCOA. Your generous contribution and your continuing support of our agency will make the difference in so many senior lives. May God watch over all of you.

Until next time, Lee County Council on Aging: 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 the oneyear anniversary since the WHO declared a global pandemic! What were you doing a year ago March 11, 2021? What was the last photo you took on your phone? According to my camera roll, we were having St. Patrick’s Day Bingo at the senior center. Those were fun times!

Things have certainly changed for everyone during this past year. Somehow, we have powered through and I think everyone is looking for things to return to “normal” – whatever that new normal might look like. I think with all the all the adaptations everyone has navigated throughout the year, I am hoping the worst of it is over, and with vaccinations becoming more available and spring being in the air, everyone can resume some kind of regular, sunshine-filled activities?

With the Easter season upon us, I reflect on the realization that life is a rhythm of death and resurrection.

I understand people are anxious for the center to re-open and hold onto “just like it was” – we know it must evolve and change in order for it to have life! Currently, our county is 11% fully vaccinated, so we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Please be patient! If you are needing assistance getting added to vaccine waitlists in Whiteside County, we can help you with that!

Our staff has done an AMAZING job servicing clients remotely! According to our numbers, we have provided services to many, many people during the pandemic. In February alone, we had over 560 contacts made for services/information and assistance. I want to personally thank our staff for the wonderful job they have done and continue to do, with all the challenges of working from home – what a great team! We are available at extension 194 for Outreach, 101 for Reception.

If you would like to support the Senior Center and renew your membership for 2021, you are welcome to do that, although we do not know yet if any new trips will be offered; it will be based on the CDC positivity cases and metrics within Whiteside County. The membership cost remains the same: $25 for an individual or $35 for two people who reside in the same household.

Get outdoors and enjoy the warmer days ahead! I will keep you updated on any re-openings plans.

Wishing all of you a joyful Easter — may you be filled with gratitude for all the goodness that has surrounded us this past year! Enjoy the sunshine in the days ahead!

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.