From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

You know what they say: “ April Showers bring May Flowers,” but in our case April snows will not bring May flowers.

Our Master Gardeners tell us not to plant flowers until the weather stabilizes. We are looking forward to the beautiful Petunias that will once again enhance the beauty of our building. Hasn’t this been a crazy beginning to spring? One day we are out wearing short-sleeve shirts, and the next day we have our winter boots and scarves on. Who said there is no global warming??? I often wonder if Illinois will become the next Florida. I am sure I will not live to see it, but it would be something to see.

Well, my friends, May has arrived, and the Center is hoping. We have so many events and activities planned for you, from trips to White Pines to trips to Ireland. We have something for everyone. So keep reading the Echo and follow us on Facebook — we will keep you posted with dates and times.

Post House Ballroom

Our Post House Ballroom is pleased to host another event for the Reagan Ranch Foundation on May 6. The Ballroom is a perfect setting for every and any occasion, from a 200 guest wedding to an afternoon card game. Our historic beauty is here to serve Lee County for many years to come.

I know you will not believe it, but our hardcover book, “Back in My Day,” will be arriving any day. Please call us at 815-288-9236 to reserve a copy or two. A donation would be greatly appreciated, but not required. LCCOA is taking submissions for our next edition, so please keep sending in your wonderful interesting stories, poems, recipes and more; we cannot wait to read them.

Aging in Place

Just a reminder May is Older Americans Month. Our focus is always on our seniors. Mark your calendars for May 11th. Janell Loos from Heritage Woods will have a presentation on safety in the bath and home. LCCOA will provide lunch; please call 815-288-9236 and reserve your spot.

Mother’s Day

It’s time to celebrate all the wonderful women in our lives. It is not just for the moms who gave us life, but for every woman who took on the role of caregiver. Isn’t that what mothers are all about? They are caregivers, protectors, teachers, master chefs, and they are there to comfort you when you are sad. So take a moment and think about every woman in your life who was there for you. Her name might not be “Mom,” but in some shape or form she was your mom. My mom passed away on Mother’s Day, it is a bittersweet day for me. On one hand it reminds me that I cannot tell her how much she meant to me, but on the other hand I wouldn’t be here, and my 5 amazing children and 6 wonderful grandchildren wouldn’t be here without her. So thank you, Mom, for all you did, and I know you are waiting for me in heaven. Until that time, Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing women from all of us here at Lee County Council on Aging.

LCCOA: A place where you belong, a place to call home.

— Susan

From the WCSC Director

By Susie Welch

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I think of the Foster Grandparents who serve in our local classrooms. These lovely ladies (and men) have raised their families, helped with their grandkids and now share motherly (and fatherly) love with students and teachers.

In March of 2020 these remarkable men and women faced a new challenge when we were confined to our homes. The whole world was soon revolving around the internet — kids were learning from home on it, adults were working from home on it and medical appointments were made via the internet.

As the ringleader of the Foster Grandparents, I saw a real need for Grandparents to learn technology. Now the Foster Grandparents will tell you, I forced them kicking and screaming to learn technology, but many great things came out of this. It gave them something new to learn — and learning helps keep our brains active. It gave them something to do to replace the active school life they had before March 2020. The internet gave them a sense of togetherness as they read my daily posts on Facebook and participated in weekly Zoom meetings. The Grandparents went on to use technology in their personal lives to attend church virtually, have medical appointments at Mayo Clinic in the comfort of their own home, and they were able to schedule their own vaccine appointments online.

Like it or not, the Internet is the way of the future. The Center is ramping up to help seniors who want to learn the opportunity to do so. As we go forward, we will try to offer virtual options for our educational training, so those not comfortable with group settings yet or confined to home can still participate.

Our Outreach Department is ready to help you apply for subsidies to make the internet affordable, and free computers. Individuals and groups are coming forward to volunteer at the Center with training and assistance with technology.

The County is also planning for our future internet needs. Whiteside County is assessing the internet availability of the community — and you can help by completing a short survey. Valuable information can be assessed by you completing this survey from your home internet. Just go to www.connectwhiteside.org/survey. If you do not have internet at home, please stop by the Center and pick up a paper survey. Surveys can be picked up Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or Saturday May 21, at the Mother-Daughter Tea that the Whiteside County Senior Center is hosting. We will be having a light luncheon and a “Golden Girls” trivia contest that day. Grab your mom, grandma, friend, daughter or daughter-in-law and join us at the Center for fun! Recommended donation is $5 per person — check or cash accepted. RSVP by calling 815-622-9230 by Thursday, May 19.

Every month new groups and individuals are coming forward to share their talents to help the seniors in Whiteside County. Last month the University of Illinois Extension Office helped arrange our food pantry and three people volunteered to help on Commodities Day. Our grand reopening for the Food Pantry is scheduled for May 5. Another member of the community has come forward to teach quilting and another has donated a quilting rack to us. Many of you have also been willing to share yourselves by befriending a new patron, making someone feel welcomed at the Center, or sharing a smile or a laugh. Now there’s a new way you can be a part of the solution by helping our community by filling out the Connect Whiteside survey and helping the Whiteside County Senior Center honor our senior moms by attending the Moth er-Daughter Tea.

— Susie

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 BALLROOM

What’s happening at The Post House?

Our timeless beauty in a historic setting is perfect place for any event. The Post House welcomes back our Euchre players, who have found the Ballroom’s spaciousness and quiet environment a perfect place to play cards. These avid players invite all seniors to join them for a Friday afternoon of fun and games.

The Ballroom was a great place for AARP Tax Aide workers to recently service the seniors of our community. These dedicated men and women volunteered their time and energy for more than 8 weeks preparing taxes for Lee County Council on Aging seniors. We owe these generous men and women our gratitude for providing tax aide to more than 160 Lee County seniors. Thank you, George, and your wonderful team. Get some rest, we will see you next year.

Our dance floor at the Post House Ballroom is always business with LCCOA’s very own Line Dancers. If you like dancing, then put on your boots and come on down and join the men and women for a morning of the best music in town.

Each month the Ballroom host many events and organizational meetings. We are not just a pretty face; we have a great atmosphere for educational training, corporate presentations, networking and, of course, senior activities. We look forward to seeing you at the Post House Ballroom.

Euchre players invite seniors to join them for a Friday afternoon of fun and games. If you like dancing, then put on your boots and come on down and join the Line Dancers at the Post House.

Seniors recently received help with their taxes from AARP Tax Aid workers at The Post House Ballroom.

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:

Call 815-622-9230

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.