September 2023

Visit our website at: https://vital-aging-network.org/

In this edition

• Aging Successfully--by Christine Farris
• About our Aging with Gusto program
• Doing satisfying things--as a Key Contributor to Aging with Gusto
• Introducing a new AWG facilitator
• Flexibility--to prevent pickleball injuries
• Wellness 50+ news and events
• Opportunities from partner organizations

News from Aging with Gusto

For the last several months Aging with Gusto has been sharing one Key Contributor to Aging with Gusto each month in the VAN e-Bulletin. Those Key Contributors are:

1. Doing things that you find satisfying or fulfilling.
2. Striving to maximize physical health.
3. Striving to maximize cognitive health (thinking).
4. Striving to maximize emotional health (feelings).
5. Learning new things and challenging yourself.
6. Having choice and control over decisions that affect your life.
7. Being connected with family, friends and a broader community.
8. Having a sense of purpose, doing things that are meaningful, and contributing to something greater than yourself.

In September we're focusing on component 1: Doing things that you find satisfying or fulfilling.

Key Contributor-Doing things that are satisfying and fulfilling

From Aging with Gusto Coordinator Jan Cunningham

Key Contributor: Doing things that are Satisfying and Fulfilling, Doing Good/Being Kind: Decreases stress and increases life expectancy as well as makes us feel better and motivates us to do good again because it generates a “Helper’s High”. Feeling good is good for you.

I have a great niece Karsyn who has Down Syndrome, she was born with heart issues and needed surgery with in the first few months of her life. She survived the surgery and as she has grown, she has always had a very positive and infectious outlook on life. Karsyn is always happy and seems to be able to find the bright side of things. Being around her never fails to lift the mood of others!. Read the complete article here.

Learn more about our Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism workshops

Aging with Gusto workshops: are designed as a three-part, interactive series of sessions, with each session lasting about 90 minutes. Sessions may be held in person or via an online platform such as Zoom. They are led by trained facilitators.

Learn more about Aging with Gusto by watching this short video.

Download this flyer about the work of Aging with Gusto

Confronting Ageism workshops: are one-session events also led by trained facilitators that guide you and your group through activities that explore the roots and impacts of ageism and create opportunities for you to discover ways to combat them.

Both workshops are available in person or virtually via Zoom.

Jan Cunningham is Aging with Gusto's program coordinator. Contact her at jancunninghamAWG@gmail.com for information about scheduling Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism workshops for your groups.

Workshops in the "works" for fall!!

AWG and its partners have two Confronting Ageism workshops scheduled for October.

• It’s time to say no to ageism--Wednesday, October 4 at 9:30 am via Zoom. This workshop is offered in partnership with the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging. In just two dynamic hours, this online workshop is designed to elevate your awareness of the stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination directed toward people on the basis of age. Through interactive experiences, facilitators Sally Brown and Donna Comer of the Vital Aging Network will prepare you to effectively identify institutional, interpersonal, and self-directed ageism and take action in the movement to combat ageism. Click Here to register and get more information.

• AWG is partnering with AARP on a Confronting Ageism presentation on Oct. 11 from 9 am to noon at AARP's facility at the Mall of America. Contact VAN's AWG program coordinator Jan Cunningham at jancunninghamAWG@gmail.com for more information about this workshop.

An offer not to be refused

For a limited time, you can bring Aging with Gusto's innovative, interactive, three-part series to your facility or community at no cost. This is a special offer and will only be available to a limited number of organizations which can register a minimum number of 10 participants. To reserve a date, contact Janet Cunningham at jancunninghamawg@gmail.com or call (651)999-9908.

AWG introduces new facilitator, Carol Bowman

Carol Bowman has joined the VAN family as a facilitator for its Aging with Gusto Program.

Carol is the founder of Be Positive Wellness, an organization dedicated to helping women manifest the joy and freedom of overcoming food addiction and cravings through the removal of blocked emotions. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and Emotion Code Practitioner, Carol works with clients on relationships, career, physical movement, and spirituality.

Carol is also a Nutrition Educator, teaching nutrition and helping people learn about eating real food to fuel the body.

Besides being a life-long learner, she also enjoys gardening, reading, sailing, hiking, and cooking.

Get those screenings and preventive care procedures

During the COVID pandemic, many of us delayed regular visits to our doctors and those important screenings, preventative tests, and vaccines that we know are important to our health. It was understandable--access was limited; we were getting conflicting messages about the safety at medical care facilities; and, frankly, we just didn't know what was what!

But things are different now. And if you know you're overdue for an appointment with your primary care doctor, or if you have passed that due date for a preventative test, the best time to make an appointment is today!

You'll have yourself to thank for your continued good health and vitality

Pickleball injury prevention: Part 3 – lower body flexibility

by Mia Bremer

There was a time in our 20s and 30s when many of us may have thought we could get away without stretching after a workout. We were wrong then and we would certainly be wrong now. . Read her entire column here. (The column will download as a document on the lower- left, or upper-right corner of your screen.)

News from Wellness 50+

Wellness 50+ community-wide events

Wellness 50+ hosts a series of community-wide events in addition to events organized and led by our community groups (Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and Phillips neighborhood). All of our community-wide events are listed in this newsletter AND are posted on the Wellness 50+ website calendar (https://vital-aging-network.org/wellness-50). Registration for community-wide events is via our Meetup Group "Wellness 50+ Twin Cities". Join the group (Wellness 50+ Twin Cities Meetup Group). You will receive email notifications when an event is ready for registration.

Upcoming community-wide events

-4th Monday, September 25, Biking Brown's Creek & St. Croix River Loop Trails, 9:45 am 

Join us as we bike 18 miles from Brown's Creek Park down the scenic Brown's Creek trail to Stillwater and then the St. Croix River Loop trail. Shorter rides are available by turning around sooner. Register through Meetup (Sept. 25 Biking St Croix River Loop ).  

-Fall Paddle, September 26, Mississippi River Kayak, St. Paul Park, 9:45 am 

Wahoo Adventures will lead us on a paddle down a channel of the Mississippi River. Kayak rental is $30. Register through Meetup (Sept 26 Mississippi River Kayak).  

NOTE: This will be our last kayak event of 2023.

-1st Tuesday, October 3, Hike at St. Croix Bluffs Park, 10 am 

We will enjoy fall colors and hike the wooded trails of St. Croix Bluff Park. Register through Meetup (Oct 3 St Croix Bluffs Hike).  

-Fall Bike Ride, October 9, Kaposia Landing Mississippi River Trail, 9:45 am 

Join us as we bike 14 miles from Kaposia Landing Park in South St. Paul to the Swing Bridge Park in Inver Grove Heights along the paved bike path. Shorter rides are available by turning around sooner. Register through Meetup (Oct 9 Biking Kaposia to Swing Bridge MRT).

NOTE: This will be our last bike ride event of 2023.

-Halloween Dance Party, October 31, Oakdale Discovery Center, 1 pm 

We will have Monica Mohn, a line dance instructor, back to lead us in Halloween themed line dances. Dance friendly Halloween costumes encouraged. We will socialize with cookies and mulled cider after dancing. Register through Meetup (Oct 31 Halloween Dance Party ).

Community-wide events we've enjoyed recently

-3rd Monday, Evening Kayak on Square Lake, August 21 

We had a relaxing evening paddle with the lake to ourselves with the exception of some scuba divers. Eagles, ospreys, turkey vultures and a loon were observed.

-4th Monday, Biking Cannon Valley Trail, August 28

We biked 20 miles from Welch Village to Red Wing Old West Main with additional miles to the riverfront and back to Welch. We had a combination of eBikes and regular bikes along the flat paved trail. Lunch was enjoyed in Hastings after the ride.

-1st Tuesday, Evening History Walk at Pt. Douglas Park, September 5

Herb Reckinger, a local historian, led us on a 2 mile walk discussing the geology, history and sites along the flat, paved trail. Highlights included the Mr Peanut statue marking the location of the historic Peanut train line that ran to Stillwater, a barge being pushed upriver through a narrow channel and a train coming downriver. 

Upcoming Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

Getting a Good Night's Rest presentation by Audrey Wells, MD will be on Thursday, September 21, at 6 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Register by calling 651-747-3860.

The Wellness Book Club will discuss Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova on Tuesday, September 26, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*.

Greeting Card Design and Construction will be on Thursday, September 28, at 5:30 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Lolita Cox will teach new card-making skills. Bring your own scissors, pencils and rulers. Register by calling 651-747-3860.

Flu Shot Clinic provided by Walgreens will be Saturday, September 30, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Bring your insurance card and photo ID. No registration necessary.

Fire Prevention and Police Safety presentation will be Saturday, October 7, from 10 am to 12 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Register by calling 651-747-3860.

Wednesday Walks continue weekly at 9 am and run through November. (During the winter months, walks begin at 10 am.) Meet at the Oakdale Discovery Center** to walk the paths of the beautiful Oakdale Nature Preserve. W50+ age appropriate guide to the Preserve exercise stations is now available. A laminated printed copy is available in the carousel by the front door for use when walking the trails. 

*The Oakdale Library is located at 1010 Heron Ave. North, Oakdale

**The Oakdale Discovery Center is located at 4444 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale

Upcoming Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ events

Social Shenanigans: Laughter and Connections

September 20 from 6:30-8 pm 

South Washington County District Program Center, 8400 East Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove

Have you ever heard of “Speed Dating”? Well, we’re planning a speed “get-to-know-new-people” event! Connections come from shared stories, so we’ve assembled a list of 20 fun questions designed to make it easy for everyone to connect one-on-one. We guarantee you’ll meet new people, share a few laughs, and find at least a few interesting things in common. This is a partnership program with South Washington County Community Education and costs $10 per person. Reservations can be made at: https://sowashco.ce.eleyo.com/ for program number SA10661. 

Balanced Wellness Series: Benefits of Group Fitness

Monday, Oct. 2 from 1-2 pm .

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove

Join Live 2 B Healthy®️ Fitness Professional, Melissa Bailey at Park Grove Library for Balanced Wellness, a series of monthly educational wellness talks for adults ages 55+. The topic for October is "Benefits of Group Fitness for 55+."This is a partnership program with Cottage Grove Wellness 50+. Sign up is required. 

Register at: https://washcolib.libcal.com/event/10739773

Flashlight Night Hike 

Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm . 

Ravine Regional County Park, 9653 Keats Ave. S., Cottage Grove

Join us for a night hike at Cottage Grove Ravine County Park. It’s free park day for all park users on the first Tuesday of the month, so we thought we’d enjoy the park in a new way — after dark! Be sure to bring a flashlight and wear appropriate clothes. See you there! 

Register at: https://flashlighthike.eventbrite.com

Team Puzzle Competition

Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 pm  

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove

Attention jigsaw puzzlers: Gather your team of 2 to 4 people and compete against other teams to finish the same 500-piece puzzle in the least amount of time. 

Registration is required. One "team captain" should register for each team. Space is limited to ten teams.

Register at: https://washcolib.libcal.com/event/10964369

Scat Cats: A Vocal Performance by Vicky Mountain

Monday, Oct. 16 from 6-7 pm

Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove

“Scat” singing is vocal improvisation without words that presents the voice as an instrument. Join Vicky Mountain from the MacPhail Center for Music as she takes you through the history of scat singing and then awakens the creative spark in all with participation in exercises and songs in this program. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. No registration required. All ages are welcome to attend. 

Opportunities from partner organizations

From River Market Co-op Community in Stillwater

This fall River Market in Stillwater is offering both in-person and Zoom classes.

You can register for any of the classes on River Market website:  http://www.rivermarket.coop/news/classes/

After registration, an email link to join the Zoom presentations will be emailed to you.

In-person classes will be held at River Market conference room, 221 Main St., N., Stillwater.

For more information, email Ola Schmelig education@rivermarket.coop

Some upcoming classes include: growing garlic, winter gardening, microgreens, buckthorn, photography in your garden, houseplants, composting, and natural healing.

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Here's the Ramsey County Public Health Healthy Aging Digest for September.(The newsletter will download as a document on the lower-left, or upper-right corner of your screen.)