In this edition
- What has the last year taught you?
- Vickie Snyder honored
- Aging with Gusto's approach to Ageism
- Wellness 50+ is ready for summer fun and activity
- See what the Wellness 50+ Virtual Auction has to offer
- Tips for aging in place
- A vaccine fact sheet
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What has the last year taught you?
by VAN Director Mark Skeie
As we start to emerge from this past year of lockdowns and fear, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel.
The past year has been an experience. No, we do not need as much toilet paper as we thought! Finding ways to cope, discovering how to stay positive, and the importance of family are some of the things we realized are important. Many things we took for granted, like democracy, and honesty.
Priorities for many of us were shifted. Our bucket list was redefined. For many the importance of our health really came into focus.
I do realize we have yet to claim a victory, but we are close. So, what are some lessons learned. How do we go forward?
There is a need to give thanks for the science, which is helping us win, and those healthcare workers who were in the trenches fighting the battle firsthand. Also, we need to take a moment to remember all of those who have passed away during the past year.
One question for each of you, what have I learned in the past year?
Hope is the only thing which is stronger than fear!
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Vickie Snyder honored
Vickie Snyder of VAN's Wellness 50+ organization recently received honors from MAVA, the Minnesota Association For Volunteer Administration. Vickie received MAVA's 2021 Mary Wiser Award for Leadership in the Field of Volunteer Resources. The award honors a professional in the field of volunteer administration who demonstrates vision, diligence and commitment to service --all hallmarks of professionalism in the field.
Vickie is the current President of Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County. Basic Needs is a nonprofit that seeks to provide funding to help Washington County residents with basic needs like housing, food, and clothing. The majority of the organization's funding comes from revenue at its thrift shop, the Basic Needs Thrift Shop, in St. Paul Park.
After retiring from a career in the biomedical services industry, Vickie became active in Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ , and that involvement led her to become interested in the Vital Aging Network. Today she also serves on the VAN Board of Directors.
Vickie helps coordinate Wellness 50+ events and fundraisers such as the current Wellness 50+ Virtual Auction (See notice later in this newsletter.)
In addition to her MAVA award this spring, Vickie has received recognition by several other groups. In 2017, she won the Spirit of AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) Award given by the national biomedical services industry. In the fall of 2017 she won the Volunteer of the Year Award for the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce.
Vicki will be honored during a virtual awards ceremony at MAVA's Annual Meeting on Friday, June 11.
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Notes from Aging with Gusto |
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Have you experienced ageism?
Examples might include:
- Being denied a job or other opportunity due to how old you are
- Being referred to as “cute” or “a geezer” or “still [active in something]” because of your age
- Hearing, “What can you expect at your age?”
- Receiving birthday cards that make fun of getting old
- Being viewed as obsolete or out of touch
- Hearing assumptions about your health based solely on your age
- Having your health care needs overlooked because of your age
- Being encouraged to think of yourself as “young” or “not old”
VAN’s Aging with Gusto Program provides opportunities for exploring how ageism is embedded into our everyday lives and what we can do about it.
NOTE: Aging with Gusto is now available to you in both virtual and in-person format
Contact Pat Samples, VAN's Aging with Gusto Coordinator, at patsamplesawg@gmail.com or 763-560-5199 to learn more about how your organization can sponsor an Aging with Gusto community discussion series or schedule training for your staff.
Does your experience of aging differ depending on your race?
This is a question that our Aging with Gusto Task Force is exploring. An
all-white group, we have been entering into a learning dialogue with older people of color and community leaders who serve them to expand our understanding. We are also doing plenty of reading, talking, and reflecting on how our Aging with Gusto can better enlarge the experience of positive aging for every older Minnesotan, regardless of race.
We are eager to expand our circle of Aging with Gusto facilitators to be more racially diverse. We welcome opportunities to offer our Aging with Gusto discussion series in organizations that are made up of, or serve, BIPOC.
If you have ideas, resources, or questions that may assist us in reaching a greater level of equity, diversity, and inclusion in this program, please contact Pat Samples.
Make plans to bring Aging with Gusto to your organization or community by calling Pat Samples at 763-560-5199
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Cottage Grove - Forest Lake - Oakdale - Stillwater - Woodbury
Phillips Neighborhood
What is Wellness 50+?
Wellness 50+ has active teams in Washington County (Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, Oakdale, Stillwater and Woodbury). It also has a team in the Minneapolis Phillips neighborhood. Its purpose is to promote health and wellness in those communities. Wellness 50+ teams plan and facilitate activities that include walking groups, healthy cooking classes, book clubs, recipe sharing and more.
Click here to learn more about Wellness 50+ goals and strategies.
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There's lots on the calendar at Wellness 50+!! |
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Let Wellness 50+ and the Washington County Parks make your summer memorable!
Wellness 50+ in Washington County and the Washington County Parks have some very special events planned for the first Tuesday of each month throughout the summer and beyond.
You're invited--whether or not you're a Washington County resident. Here's the rundown:
June 1-Bird watching--St. Croix Bluffs Park
July 6-Kayaking--Square Lake Park
Aug. 3-Beginning fishing--Lake Elmo Park
Sept. 7-Learn disc golf--Pine Point Park
Oct. 5-Fall hike--Big Marine Park
Nov. 2-Night hike--Lake Elmo Park
Dec. 7 -Stillwater courthouse tour--Stillwater
You can get more information at wellness50mn@gmail.com. And you can register for each event here: (You can also see a full-size version of the flyer above by clicking anywhere on the image.)
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Kayaking with Wellness 50+ |
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In addition to the collaborative events with the Washington County Parks listed above, Wellness 50+ has a series of kayaking outings scheduled for this summer. They include:
May 24--Boomsite Rookery, Stillwater
June 28--Hazen P. Mooers Park, Cottage Grove
July 26--Arcola Mills Historical Mansion, Stillwater
August 23--White Bear Lake Manitou Island, White Bear Lake
September 27--Hazen P. Mooers Park, Cottage Grove
(You can see a larger version of the kayaking poster by clicking the image. )
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Wellness 50+ Virtual Auction starts May 20 |
Food, drink, games, St. Paul Saints tickets, books, and much more. All are on the auction bill for the Wellness 50+ Virtual Auction, which runs from May 20 through June 1.
All proceeds will benefit Wellness 50+ projects.
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For more information about VAN's Wellness 50+ program
or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com
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Strategies to make aging in place possible.
The website NextAvenue recently published an article entitled The 3 Best Ways to Remain Independent as you Age by Richard Eisenberg. The story features practical tips for those who want to age in place. From advice about renovations for your house, how technology can help, and the importance of relationships, this column provides a lot of practical, no-nonsense information. Read the story here
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Heard a lot of conflicting information about vaccinations?
Are there still people in your family or friendship circles who are hesitant about the vaccine? Maybe they've heard rumors about imbedded microchips, or that the vaccine can alter your DNA. Here's a fact sheet from Stay Safe MN that you may want to share with them. See the entire fact sheet here.
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