Village Insider News for Members & Volunteers October 2022
MEMBER & VOLUNTEER PICNIC RECAP Despite some residual rain from Hurricane Ian, more than 50 members and volunteers gathered earlier this month at Seneca Creek State Park to get reacquainted with one another, play games, and enjoy delicious fried chicken and potluck sides and desserts. The temperature was in the 50s, but with the addition of a roaring bonfire inside the covered pavilion, we were all as snug as a bug in a rug! The highlight of the afternoon was recognizing five outstanding volunteers. The Roberta Gosier award, given in memory of the Village’s founding president and recognizing the person who contributed the greatest number of direct service hours, was presented to Nancy Caporaso. Our four additional “Star Volunteers” for the entire last fiscal year (July 2021-June 2022) with the greatest number of hours directly serving members were Jane Brown, Steve Durako, Brian Eggleston, and Mary Millar. Special thanks are due to our organizing committee volunteers Sue Decker, Laurie Ekstrand, Carolyn Lauer, and Gail McDonald; and to other key volunteers, Gary Begin, Jay Elvove, Art Jaso, Joe Reinhard, and Darren Vieira. Thanks also to Carol Lite for transporting leftover fried chicken to Shepherd’s Table and to the others who stayed at the end to help with cleanup.
MEDICAL NOTE-TAKING Getting a complicated medical diagnosis can be a very confusing time. Sometimes, the amount of information coming from the providers to the patient can be overwhelming, and in the heat of the moment, it's easy for patients to forget all the questions they meant to ask their provider. The Village now has trained volunteer medical note-takers who can help members organize their questions and accompany them to appointments to take careful notes and make sure the appointment has a two-way flow of information. For more information, please contact Vanessa at 240-833-5584 or vanessa.ripps@silverspringvillage.org.
NEW MEMBERS Please welcome new members Abe Blitzer (Sligo Park Hills), Susan Farr (Sligo-Branview), Dhunji Master (Indian Springs), and Gerald Reichlin (Sligo Park Hills).
OCTOBER MEMBERS-ONLY EVENTS The following are events open only to Village members. Members can log into the Village calendar with their username and password for more detailed information. We can sometimes accommodate nonmember guests who may be interested in joining the Village. If members would like to bring a guest to an event, they should contact Doug at 240-833-5582 or doug.gaddis@silverspringvillage.org. Chess Group—The Village’s chess group is back for in-person play at Zinnia! For more information, contact organizer Leslie Hansley at lahansley@aol.com. The group meets each Thursday, 11:30am2pm, Zinnia, 9201 Colesville Rd. Book & Puzzle Swap—Jeanne Adams and Lynne Ebner will host an event for trading books and puzzles. Bring up to five items and be prepared to share what you enjoy about your favorite item. RSVPs are required via the calendar or by email to programs@silverspringvillage.org. Sunday, October 16, 3-5pm, 107 Sheffield St. AFI Movie Night—The Lady from Shanghai is a classic “film noir” starring Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. Professor David Rothman will introduce the film and lead a discussion after the viewing. RSVPs are recommended via the calendar or by email to programs@silverspringvillage.org. Tickets are not included. Wednesday, October 19, 6:30-9pm, AFI/Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd. Miss Toya’s Creole House—Enjoy lunch at Silver Spring’s hot new venue for Creole cooking. Reservations are required via the calendar or by email to progras@silverspringvillage.org. Saturday, October 22, 1-2:30pm, Miss Toya’s Creole House, 923 Ellsworth Dr. Duckpin Bowling—Join Village friends for snacks, drinks and duckpin bowling the fourth Thursday of each month. Refreshments and lane fees are not included. Registration is required via the calendar or by email to marilynbate@hotmail.com. Thursday, October 27, 3:30-5:30pm, The Eleanor, 931 Ellsworth Dr. October Birthdays Celebration—Calling all October babies! Join us for celebratory ice cream courtesy of the Village. Others are welcome, too—you'll just have to buy your own scoop! Friday, October 28, 2-3:30pm, Moorenko’s Ice Cream, 8030 Georgia Ave.
HELP WANTED: VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS (PARTICULARLY DRIVERS) Now that the pandemic is easing and more members are asking for more assistance, we are looking for volunteers who have time to spare. The average volunteer spends just four hours a month helping fellow villagers, but it makes a big difference to those receiving services! Call Vanessa at 240-833-5584 to learn how you can experience that special feeling that only comes from helping a fellow villager. For various personal reasons, some of our most active volunteer drivers are not as available as they once were. Yet, the demand for rides is higher than ever! Most trips are local—to medical appointments, exercise classes, groceries, and Village programs. Volunteering even once a week would be very helpful for many of our full members. We also welcome non-member volunteers. When talking with your family, friends, and neighbors about the Village, please let them know about our need for new volunteers to help with all sorts of services, including driving. For more information, call Vanessa at 240-833-5584.
HOLIDAY PARTY FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS Mark your calendar for the Village Holiday Party on Friday, December 16, tentatively 1-3pm. Guests will get to indulge in excessive amounts of cookies, mulled cider, and other seasonal treats. The Silver Spring Civic Building is still limiting capacity, so RSVPs will be required via the Village calendar or by email to programs@silverspringvillage.org. More details will be announced as plans develop later.
JULY & AUGUST STAR VOLUNTEERS Volunteers keep the Village running. We want to extend a giant "thank you" to the Village's "Top 5" volunteers for August: Isabelle Melèse d’Hospital (22 hours), Jane Brown (18 hours), Mary Millar (10 hours), Nancy Caporaso (9 hours), and Peggy Gervasi (7 hours). “Top 5” volunteers for July were Jane Brown (28 hours), Nancy Caporaso (12 hours), Brian Eggleston (10 hours), Barbara Ryan (8 hours), and Connie Raab (7 hours).
WANT TO LEARN SOME NEW TECH SKILLS? The Village offers one-on-one technology coaching to members to build their confidence using a computer (laptop or desktop), tablet, or smartphone. The sessions can take place via Zoom or in person. Everyone's learning needs are different, so volunteer coaches are trained to go at the learner's pace. One member told us, "Tech Coaching has been a shot in the arm for me! I am very glad to have signed up. At each session, I have received direct and clear assistance with my questions. Thanks for offering this program and giving us 'tech resistant' villagers a helping hand with getting started." Please contact Vanessa at vanessa.ripps@silverspringvillage.org or at 240-833-5584 if you would like to learn more.
HELP US GET THE WORD OUT! Do you have a way to share information with your neighbors via a neighborhood listserv, newsletter, common area, or bulletin board? Does your neighborhood host a Halloween parade, a potluck, or other events that would welcome Village participation? Do you have a patio, yard or living room where you can invite neighbors to come and learn more about how the Village could make a difference in their lives? The Village is readying to ramp up our membership and volunteer recruitment efforts. If you can help by serving as a neighborhood “ambassador” or by hosting an outreach event, please contact Doug at doug.gaddis@silverspringvillage.org.
UPCOMING SPARKLE EVENTS Silver Spring Village and Silver Spring Town Center co-present this series of monthly outreach events to enrich the lives of older adults. The series features guest speakers, musicians, authors, activists, and more. SPARKLE events are open to the public. Some events are in person and others are still on Zoom. Non-members can access the Zoom link by emailing programs@silverspringvillage.org. Brookside Gardens Tour—Adult education manager Jason Gedeik will lead a tour of Montgomery County's horticultural gem, Brookside Gardens. Wednesday, October 12, 2-3:30pm. NOTE: This event is sold out. Archie: An American Journey—John Sullivan will discuss his documentary about the life and impact of local philanthropist and youth activist Archie Avedisian. Over a lifetime of service, Avedisian integrated the Boys Club in conservative communities, introduced the Club to housing projects during DC's crack cocaine crisis, and brought girls into the local Club long before the national organization was prepared to do so. Attendees will watch the documentary followed by discussion via Zoom. Wednesday, November 9, 2-4pm. Fighters for Freedom: William H Johnson and the Struggle for Social Justice—Virginia Mecklenburg, senior curator of 20th-century art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum will discuss Johnson's groundbreaking artistic tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, performers, and heads of state. Presented via Zoom, Wednesday, December 14, 2-4pm.
TRY THE VILLAGE EXPERIENCE WITH A NO-RISK TRIAL MEMBERSHIP The Village is open to new members in all parts of our service area zip codes—20815 east of Rock Creek Park, 20901, 20902 east of Wheaton Regional Park (Kemp Mill), and 20910. If you have a friend or neighbor who might be curious about Village life, please let them know about our trial membership program. Trial members get all the benefits of Associate Membership for three months at no upfront cost. For information, contact membership chair Claire Maklan at membership@silverspringvillage.org or at 301-588-5535.
OFFICE ADDRESS & STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION The Village's mailing address is 8700 Georgia Avenue, Suite 306, Silver Spring, MD 20910. To reach us by phone, please call 240-833-5580. A virtual receptionist will guide you to reach any staff member, or you can dial any of us directly. Office hours are M-F, 9 am-5 pm. When the office is closed, please leave a voice message for us. If your after-hours call is urgent, dial the main number and press "1" when the virtual receptionist answers to redirect your call to both Doug's and Vanessa's private mobile phones. Doug Gaddis, Executive Director 240-833-5582 (direct) | 240-833-5580 ext. 2 | doug.gaddis@silverspringvillage.org Vanessa Ripps, Volunteer Services Director 240-833-5584 (direct) | 240-833-5580 ext. 4 | vanessa.ripps@silverspringvillage.org Best wishes,
Doug Gaddis
Silver Spring Village sustains a robust neighbors-helping-neighbors network that supports older adults who wish to live as independently as possible and be fully engaged in their community as they age. Unless otherwise noted, activities and services mentioned in the Insider are available only to Village members. The Village's social, educational, recreational, and cultural events are open to associate and full members. Full memberships include volunteer services, and are available only to residents of zip codes 20815 east of Rock Creek Park, 20901, 20902 east of Wheaton Regional Park (Kemp Mill), and 20910. Associate memberships are not restricted to these geographic areas. For information about a free trial associate membership, or if you are ready to join as a regular member, become a volunteer, or wish to donate, please call 240-833-5582. Our website is www.silverspringvillage.org and our email is info@silverspringvillage.org.