From the Directors

From the LCCOA Executive Director

By Susan Lawler

Happy Halloween! October is such a fun month. The leaves are changing, the weather feels so refreshing, and to top it off we have Halloween. I have always thought of October as a month you can be someone different — a super hero, doctor, nurse, or even a witch. How fun it is to take on a new persona!! I often think of Walter Mitty; it was an interesting show, where Walter would dream of being someone else, even for a short window of time. So put on your costume and come on down to LCCOA on Monday, October 31st. We will have fun, games, best costume prizes, and a treat or two. We may even have a trick — who knows what is in store for you? Only the Shadow knows!

Prom — “Oh What a Night”

LCCOA had another successful Prom, with the great DJ Hamilton as our DJ, food from KSB and Culvers, Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center, Meadows of Franklin Grove, and Oregon Rehab sponsoring the event — how could anything be any better? The room looked elegant, with the help of Terry, Aaliyah, Chance and Pam.

We couldn’t ask for more! Thank you all for your support and help. Our seniors had a wonderful time. As Pharnel said: “You put on a great party.” The new King and Queen were crowned — Madylin and Pharnel passed their reign to Jesse Rodriguez and Josie Almassy. Until next year, the royals will reign.

Open Enrollment is Here

As usual, at LCCOA our appointments are booking up fast for open enrollment. This is the time of year for all our seniors to renew their Part D plans. Kathy and Amy are available to help you with your 2023 enrollment. This is a short window of time for you to revisit your existing plans, stay or change to a new plan. Please call for your appointment at 815-288-9236.

9-11 Stories

Thank you for sharing your stories with LCCOA. It is not too late to call or send in your memory of that heinous day in the history of our country. One gentleman called to say: “ I remember it like yesterday. I was waiting by my phone to hear if my best friend for 40 years survived the attack. When I finally received the call that he was alive, but severely injured, I said ‘Thank God,’ and just kept holding onto the phone.”

I personally remember exactly where and what I was doing. I was driving my mother to the hospital as the news came across the radio. All I could think was that we will go to war. I lived through Vietnam, lost so many friends and classmates; but this time it could be my children. My mom turn to me and said we live through World War II, Korea and Vietnam; we will survive — and so we have, but not forgotten.

Smart Phone

Our Smart Phone classes have been such a great success, we are now adding computers. Please call to set up an appointment for computer assistance. We have received volunteers from Shepherd Premier to help assist with the demand. Please call for an appointment at 815-288-9236 — we are here to help.

Travel Club

Our travel group is coming up with wonderful ideas and trips. So come on down and enjoy the wine and the company; we would love to have you. Our next trip is Branson, and it’s filling up fast. We know it will be a wonderful trip to start the holidays; this is just the right place to put a spring in your step and a song in your heart. Marisa is waiting for you, so don’t disappoint her; she really would like to spend the time with you and get you into the holiday spirit.

A New Face at the Center

We are pleased to announce our new employee, Amy Meyers. Amy comes from a caregiving environment, is SHIP trained, and ready to provide all our seniors with assistance. Amy is a college graduate with years of casework, and counseling. We feel so pleased to have her on board, with open enrollment just around the corner. God sent her to LCCOA just in the nick of time.

Well, my friends, it is time to start thinking of the holidays. Please keep your eyes and ears open. If you know of someone who could use a friendly call, visit or a lunch please let us know. We are here to assist.

Until next time: LCCOA, a place where you belong, a place to call home. – Susan

From the WCSC Director

By Susie Welch

October is one of my favorite months. It’s the last hurrah before winter is upon us. My wonderful childhood memories of trick-or-treating in my home town of Albany. I no longer run the streets on Halloween but have a tradition of serving my children’s children soup and treats. I always have a hot bowl of soup waiting for them as they would hit my house just before trick-ortreat hours began. If you are like me, you love to see the little ones dressed up for trick-or-treat. In this tradition, I’d like to invite all seniors to the Center to pass out your trick-or-treat candy in the warmth and safety of the Center on October 31. Bring the candy you would normally buy or help us pass out our candy. We will provide you a safe, warm dry spot to pass it out. We will be serving chicken noodle soup with cinnamon rolls & applesauce (a free will donation will be taken). You’ll want to come early to enjoy a hearty dinner at 4pm before the fun begins. My hope is this can become a new Center and Community tradition.

We are starting October the right way with a baked half-chicken dinner for only $7 at noon on October 7, followed by the amazing Helen and DuWayne Karaoke Show. You won’t want to miss this afternoon of great food and music. We will be announcing November big events that you will want to be in the know about.

October means open enrollment for Medicare part D. This year, to ensure that we can meet everyone’s needs, we will be sending out forms to be filled out and returned to us prior to setting an appointment. Our hope is that this will reduce the time you have to spend in an appointment and allow us to see more individuals. You will need two packets if you are married and only one packet if you are single. Please call 815-622-9230 to have us mail you a packet, or drop by the Center to pick up your packet(s). Our Outreach coordinator, Teri, will call you to set up an appointment once we receive your packet back. This is a new procedure, so we ask for your patience and understanding as we try to give you the best service possible.

October 11 is our next Parlor Club trip. We had a blast last month — you won’t want to miss out on the fun. If gambling is not your thing, no worries, Pastor Al will be leading Bible study at 10 a.m. that day, and Yoga has added a second day to our schedule at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. This month we will be adding Book Club to our line-up on October 3 at 1 p.m. in the dining room. The Book Club’s first book will be by a Sterling author. You can pick up the book at our receptionist station for $5. Our roundtable trip discussion had a great time last month; the group decided to meet once a month. The Trip Club will meet the fourth Monday of each month at 10 a.m. in the dining room. Plan to stay for lunch and keep the fun going!

This month we will be hosting three days of classes that seniors have asked for. October 25 we’ll be hosting a special internet/phone safety class from noon to 1 p.m. Whether you are new to computers or not, this is a must-attend class. This fraud prevention class will be put on by Sauk Valley Bank. The other class will help seniors re-enter the workforce, and be taught by BEST Inc. With rising costs, many seniors have had a harder time to make ends meet. We will have other resources available that can help supplement your income through assistance or a paid volunteer position too! Both of these classes will be available virtually also, if you cannot get to the Center. TRIAD will be hosting a paper shred and educational day at the Center on October 17. Attorney Tim Scordato will be available at 10 a.m. to answer questions on Homeowner Scams, POA and legal questions, and at 1 p.m. Jennifer Snow will present on Medicare Fraud. The Shred Event is limited to two boxes per household, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Our new Volunteer program, Host or Hostess of the Day, is up and running. We still have times available if you would like to volunteer to help out at the Center. The Center is seeing more and more activity. If you have never met a stranger and have a few hours a week to spare, please reach out to us.

We received a generous donation of office chairs by our local Social Security Office last month, which has transformed the Center. A big thank you to Sullivan’s for donating 26 Lobster dinners to help us raise money for the Center. Due to time and quantity limitations, we were unable to add it to our calendar of events.

And if you’re not a member yet, please become one now, as we kick off our 2023 membership drive early! Not only do we discount our trips but send out a monthly newsletter that gives you all the new events before they are released to the public. We have great things planned for November already so you do not want to miss out.

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.

Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way to help our seniors!

Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center and The Meadows of Franklin Grove are helping deliver our lunches to 44 seniors. Thank you, ladies, for visiting our seniors and assisting LCCOA drivers and staff. We do appreciate all you do for LCCOA.

A shout out from LCCOA’s staff and drivers ... We love our seniors!

Need a ride? Give LCCOA a call

LCCOA senior bus transportation is available to take you places you need go — the bank, church, dentist office, doctor office, employment, grocery store, health department, hospital/ medical clinic, kidney dialysis center, public library, restaurants, or summer programs. LCCOA’s senior bus can also take you from your home to the

Dixon Wal-Mart at 10 a.m., noon and 1:15 p.m., Monday thorugh Friday.

The cost is only $1 for rides inside of the city of Dixon for each way.

Call 815-288-9236 for more information or to reserve your seat on the Seniors’ Bus!

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 815-6229230

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 www.wc-seniorcenter.org or follow us on Facebook.