From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

Christmas Past and

Christmas Present

I remember Christmas in our wonderful old Victorian home in Europe. The week prior to Christmas, the town would be buzzing with excitement and happy faces. I often thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if every day of the year was like this; we would truly live in Pleasantville, where everyone and everything would be perfect. As the days drew closer to Christmas the thrill of the anticipation of what Christmas morning would bring; stirred in my heart.

The vendors on the street would be roasting chestnuts, and the smell of cinnamon buns from From the WCSC

By Beth Sterk

I am writing this in the early days of November – we are encountering unseasonably warm weather and that prompted me to go from talking about “changes of seasons” in the weather to “changes of seasons” in life. Winter is upon us and I am asking what “season of life” are you in?

Life goes by quickly! For many of us, we started our lives by getting married and having babies – going from sleepless nights with a newborn, to sleepless nights waiting for your teenagers to walk the local bakery floated through the air drawing me closer and closer to the little store. The lines were long, but you didn’t really mind; it gave you time to catch-up on the news of the neighborhood.

On Christmas morning all the church bells would start ringing and everyone from every house would stand outside to wish each other a “Happy Christmas”. Grandmother would shoo my grandfather and I out of the house; so she could begin preparing for Christmas dinner. What a wonderful and simpler time; and just maybe this pandemic is the wake-up call that we need to stop the hustle and bustle and get back to enjoying our friends, family through that door. When we reflect on that, it seems as if time went by rather quickly. This may have been our “spring” and “summer” seasons?

Maybe as you retired and slowed down a bit, you entered your “fall” season? You began to observe the simple beauty and the blessings around you. Maybe you have noticed your adult children are turning into y-o-u and your grand-babies resemble your children as babies?

As Pablo Picasso once said, and neighborhoods. As we reflect on the past, hopefully we will learn to cherish the future and this holiday season. Holiday Season at LCCOA

The Holiday season here at LCCOA is quite different this year. Our seniors are not buzzing around the center and sharing their holiday plans. The spirit of the holidays are still present at our center. LCCOA is busy planning for the holidays, with our Christmas tree contest, our new Senior magazine, Open Enrollment, our sidewalk sale, the membership drive and making phone calls to all our seniors. Don’t forget to check out our new trees, (donated by the Rock River Garden Club) and of course our new signs all around our building; which truly states we are the senior center and we are here to serve.

So as we prepare for the holidays, remember this too shall “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away!”

With this being the holiday season, it is the perfect time to discover the joy of giving! There are many simple ways you can bring joy to others. Doing things to make other people happy is a selfless act. If you want to bring joy to someone else’s day, try one of these ways; 1. Spend time with them. This might be hard during Covid, so maybe reach out to them by phone, Facetime or video chats? 2. Bake them something. 3. Send a card. 4. Compliment them. 5. Give them a small gift. 6. Be their Encourager.

You may or may not be in your “winter” yet, but it will be here pass, and life is good, there are so many kind people in our Community, and Lee County Council on Aging is always here to help in whatever way we can. We are not perfect; but we work hard to make sure we have researched every avenue to help our seniors . May God bless you and as we raise our glasses for a holiday cheer; let us thank God for the good things in life. Right now with Covid it so hard to see the light through the forest; but a new year is ahead of us, and we are optimistic that the strength of our seniors will pull us all through. Thank you seniors from all you have given us, your wisdom, your courage and above all your hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Lee County Council on Aging a place where you belong a place to call home.

Happy Holidays from everyone here at LCCOA, you are in our

Assistant Director

hearts and in our thoughts. faster than we think. Don’t put things off. Do what you can today. There is no promise that we may see all the seasons in our life, so live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember. Life is a gift! The way you live your life is a gift to those who come after.

Please remember that kindness is a gift that everyone can afford to give! The best season of the year ... Have a beautiful Christmas and cherish the gift of seasons in your life!!

On behalf of the Staff at WCSC and WCPT, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, Happy New Year!

Be well! Beth Sterk 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.

Resources for seniors in Lee County

LCCOA Outreach helps local seniors with solutions to everyday problems. Call 815-288-9236.

Dixon VFW sponsors Buddy Check Programs – vets checking up on vets. Call 800-273-8255.

Dixon American Legion sponsors Patients Like Me, where vets share personal stories, symptoms, treatments and programs. Call 816-756-3390.

KSB Dementia/Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets the first and third Thursdays at Town Square, or via Zoom. Call 815-285-5836.

Lifescape Services helps older adults choose lifestyles of dignity and quality. Call 800-779-1189.

The Dixon Food Pantry strives to feed the hungry by distributing food items for cupboard, pantry and fridge. Call 1-815288-4848.

Dixon Golden Kiwanis meets by Zoom each Tuesday at 9 a.m. It’s a great opportunity to chat with other seniors and to join a wonderful group. Call 815-2881543. Send us a picture of your Christmas tree

LCCOA is sponsoring a Christmas tree decorating contest, featuring YOUR trees!

Take a picture of your favorite Christmas tree and mail it or drop it off at the LCCOA office, 100 W. Second St., Dixon, IL; or e-mail it to lccoa@comcast.net

Winners will be posted on Facebook and in the January issue of Golden Echo.

The deadline is Dec. 12.

Castor Home Nursing

Gaffey flu shots

Rock River Hospice NICIL Heritage Woods

A healthy turnout at the fair TRIAD wishes to thank all the people who came through our drive-through health fair at the mall Oct. 21. Thanks also to all the vendors who participated. It was a huge success and lots of information was shared! VITAS Hospice

CORA Physical Therapy

Catholic Charities Citadel Sterling Sterling Police Dept., with Brinkley

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.

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

E-mail us at lccoa@comcast.net Visit us at www.leecountycouncilonaging.net or www.posthouseballroom.net or find us on Facebook 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