June 2023

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

In this edition

• News from Aging with Gusto: A world without ageism?
• About our Aging with Gusto program
• Important Medicaid/Medical Assistance update
• Caring for yourself during stressful times--tips from Mia Bremer
• Ideas we might be ready to let go of--thoughts by Sally Fox, Ph.D.
• Wellness 50+ news and events

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 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.

This month, we're taking a break from our discussion about the Key Contributors to share a graphic we received from Changing the Narrative (www.ChangingtheNarrativeco.org) that envisions a world without ageism. (To see a larger version, click the image.)

Next month the Aging with Gusto team will share thoughts about another key component.

Why this concern about ageism?

VAN's Aging with Gusto program encourages older adults to lead their best lives. As a part of its workshop series, Aging with Gusto explores ageism which interferes with our ability to view aging positively and as a valuable phase of life. Aging with Gusto Confronting Ageism workshops focus specifically on increasing awareness of ageism, its negative impacts, and provides strategies to address it in your personal, community and work life.

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 Aging 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 Aging workshops for your groups.

Important Medicaid/Medical Assistance update

By Jetta Wiedemeier Bower of the Senior LinkAge Line and Trellis

from the May VAN e-Bulletin

The pandemic was a health emergency in the United States, so if you received Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota), you could maintain your coverage throughout the pandemic without reapplying. However, as of April 1, 2023, that has changed and when your reapplication date comes up you will need to reapply to maintain your health insurance. You will receive a notification about reapplying in your mail. Don't ignore this notice! If you have moved since you first applied for Medical Assistance, learn how to update your contact information at mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo.

Your Medicare benefits can help you get access to check-ups, screenings and treatments and help prevent disease. Get the knowledge and support you need for a healthy lifestyle.

Caring for yourself during stressful times



by Mia Bremer

As we get older, we become aware of the losses that accompany aging. The loss of friends,

spouses, even the loss of physical and cognitive abilities can affect our health as we grieve

these changes. Self-care after a painful loss may seem impossible. Food is either undesirable or is used as a comfort, and while both things are understandable, they can negatively affect your health.

The time and effort spent caring for yourself can bring feelings of guilt, yet self-care is one of the most important things you can do right now. Healthy choices, including eating foods which promote mental and physical well-being, will support you in the process of grief and stress. Read her entire column here.

Ideas we might be ready to let go of...

by Sally Fox, Ph.D.

This month we're excited to introduce you to the writing of Sally Fox, Ph.D. Sally is a life transitions and creativity coach. Aging with Gusto facilitator Barb Rose met Sally recently and was certain that VAN participants would enjoy her thoughts. Here are her conclusions from 3rd Act Magazine about some ideas she's ready--and glad--to let go of.

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 events

-3rd Monday, June 19, Kayak Lake Rebecca in Hastings 9:45 am ($30 rental, $10 bring your own)

Kerri Kolstad of Wahoo Adventures will lead us on a paddle on Lake Rebecca at the Jaycee Park in Hastings. New or beginner kayakers are welcome on this lake paddle. Register through Meetup (June 19 Kayak Lake Rebecca).  

-4th Monday, June 26, Biking the Gateway to Phalen Lake 9:45 am 

We will meet at the Oakdale Discovery Center and bike west along the GatewayTrail to Lake Phalen for a 20-mile ride. You can continue to Keller/Spoon Lake, or for a shorter 10- mile ride, you can return from Lake Phalen. Register through Meetup (June 26 Biking the Gateway to Phalen Lake).  

--2nd Tuesday, July 11, Line Dancing at Oakdale Richard Walton Park, 6 pm

Monica Mohn, a line dancing instructor, will lead us in a 1 1/2 hour evening dancing session at Oakdale's Richard Walton Park bandshell. Bring a picnic dinner and lawn chair to rest and refresh after dancing.  Register through Meetup (July 11 Line Dancing). 

Community-wide activities we've enjoyed recently

--3rd Monday, Boomsite Rookery Kayak May 15

We had wonderful weather for our first kayak event of the season. The paddlers saw many birds, turtles and eagles putting in at the Boomsite and kayaking to the heron, egret and cormorant rookery on the St. Croix River.

--4th Monday, Hardwood Creek Bike Ride May 22

We started off the biking season with a wonderful 15-mile ride from Forest Lake to a beautiful park in Hugo and back. After the ride, some of the 17 bikers enjoyed lunch at the American Legion in Forest Lake.

--1st Tuesday, Belwin Oxbow Hike June 6

The Oxbow Trails are the newest addition to the Belwin Conservancy public hiking trails. The trails will officially open on June 15. Lynette Anderson, a Belwin naturalist, gave us a preview of the trails and their extensive plans for the site. She guided us on the trails discussing both native and invasive species that are found on the site. It was a wonderful tour of a new option near Afton to get off the paved trails and out into nature.

Hiking at the Belwin Conservancy

Biking at Hardwood Creek

Kayaking at the Boomsite Rookery

Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

Lake Elmo Sunfish Lake Park Walk and Tour will be Friday, June 16, from 9 - 11 am.  Enjoy a guided walk with Environmental Educator Chase Davies, followed by light refreshments and a tour of the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center. Participants must be able to walk a mile on natural grass and dirt trails. Register by sending an email to oakdalewellness50new@gmail.com.

Intro to American Mahjongg will be Saturday, June 17, 11 am - 1 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center**. Learn the basics of American Mahjongg taught by Mary Boss, a professional trainer, coach and Mahjongg enthusiast. Challenge your mind and have some fun with this popular game. Call Oakdale Recreation at 651-747-3860 to register.

Wellness Movie Club will meet on Tuesday, June 27, at 1 pm at the Oakdale Library*. The movie to discuss will be The Hours.

The Oakdale Wellness team is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive on Friday, July 21, from 9 am-3 pm at the Oakdale Discovery Center**. Sign up to give blood at redcrossblood.org.

Wellness Book Club will discuss What We Hunger for: Refugee and Immigrant Stories about Food and Family edited by Sun Yung Shin on Tuesday, July 25, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*.

Wednesday Walks begin at 9 am. Walks will continue through November. Meet at the Oakdale Discovery Center** to walk the paths of the beautiful Oakdale Nature Preserve. On June 7, Susan Weum, a personal fitness trainer, showed age-appropriate strengthening and stretching movements at the exercise stations in the Oakdale Preserve. We are working on a printed guide with pictures and instructions on Susan's suggestions which we plan to have available at the Discovery Center to check out and use while walking the paths of the Preserve.

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

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

Stillwater Wellness 50+ events

Join us on a River Cruise Sponsored by Stillwater Wellness 50+, Tuesday, June 27; boarding 6 p.m.

Cost is $20 per person

Location :525 South Main Street Stillwater, MN 55082

Please note:

• Ticket office is located at top of the main ramp prior to boarding the boat.
• Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure.
• 30 people total minimum or the trip will be canceled. In this case, money will be refunded.
• Casual dress.
• All beverages are available for purchase with credit card or cash.
• Our boats are handicapped accessible, and restrooms are available on the boats.
• Menu includes BBQ pulled pork served with herb roasted chicken, potatoes, coleslaw, roll and butter and a gourmet cookie.
• Cost is $20 per person.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-dinner-cruise-tickets-649394565627

(Ages 13 & up are an adult rate, children ages 4-12 are a child rate, children 3 & under are free

We cruise rain or shine – Refunds available up to 48 hours prior to cruise. Actual boat used for your cruise will be determined by Stillwater River Boats and is subject to change without notice.)

Live 2 B Healthy--July 12, 1 p.m. at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd St. N., Stillwater. This month we focus meal hacks for healthier menus. There is no registration fee for this event. (You can see a larger version of this poster by clicking on the image at right.

Opportunities from partner organizations

From River Market Co-op Community in Stillwater

River Market offers a series of classes from Intro to Hooping to climate friendly gardens, to becoming a pest detective. Check them out and register here.

https://rivermarket.coop/classesevents/