Newsletter of the Vital Aging Network--
celebrating more than 20 years of service and education!
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In this edition
- A message from Director Mark Skeie
- VAN 101--the basics
- VAN website gets a new look
- Wellness 50+ news and events
- Aging with Gusto program offers ageism workshops
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From AWG Executive Director
Mark Skeie
Finally summer! I really do appreciate the warm weather and green grass after this long winter and cold spring. What I don’t appreciate is how the political season has already started. Can we not find common ground with all the distrust?
I do believe it important to understand the real issues and determine where you stand. In the past I volunteered for local state senator for more than 20 years, and I learned that feedback from voters is always welcomed.
So, I urge you to email, phone, or write to your elected official to let them know your opinions.
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VAN 101--the basics
If you're new to the Vital Aging Network (VAN), here's some basic information: VAN is a Twin-Cities based non-profit that promotes self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth for people as they age.
VAN has two main programs--Aging with Gusto (and its associated Confronting Ageism component) and Wellness 50+. Later in this newsletter, you'll find information about current happenings in each program. To learn more about each program and its goals, visit these sections of our website:
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VAN website gets a new look |
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Thanks to assistance from long-time VAN leader and supporter, Julie Roles, the redesigned site is brighter, more interesting, and easier to navigate. Be sure to check it out!
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Wellness 50+ is in the news for its work with Catchafire |
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Last fall, VAN's Wellness 50+ programs were struggling a bit. In some communities Wellness 50+ was thriving, but in other communities programs were shrinking in participation. Wellness 50+ leaders knew they needed to do something to keep the organization healthy and growing, but they didn't quite know where to start.
Through assistance from the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, Wellness 50+ began work with Catchafire.org, a New York-based nonprofit that matches professionals who volunteer their time and skills to work with organizations that need their help.
Through Catchafire, Wellness 50+ was matched with Tom C. of Atlanta. A retired planning and evaluation officer from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tom offered his strong strategic consulting background to assist Wellness 50+ in developing a new strategic plan. See more detail here.
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What is Wellness 50+ all about?
Cottage Grove - Forest Lake - Oakdale - Stillwater - Woodbury
Phillips Neighborhood
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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Wellness 50+ Community-wide events
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What great outdoor venues were these Wellness 50+ enthusiasts enjoying? |
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Check the "Actvities we've enjoyed recently" section below to find out. |
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Wellness 50+ hosts a series of community-wide events in addition to events organized and led by our four community groups (Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and Phillips neighborhood).
All of our upcoming community-wide events ( i.e. 1st Tuesday, Biking, and Kayaking) are listed below AND are posted on the Wellness 50+ website calendar. Use this link ( https://vital-aging-network.org/wellness-50) to see the calendar and to add upcoming events to your personal calendar.
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 Kayaking, June 20, at William O'Brien State Park
Wahoo Adventures will lead us on a paddle around Greenburg Island through a channel of the St Croix River at 9:45 a.m. You can rent a kayak ($25) or bring your own ($10). Register through Meetup (June 20. Rent a Kayak) or (June 20. Bring Your Own Kayak).
--4th Monday Biking June 27 on the Gateway West to Lake Phalen
Join us for a ride on the Gateway Trail from the Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale, to Lake Phalen starting at 9:45 am. Two routes are available- 20 miles and 12 miles. Register through Meetup (June 27 Biking the Gateway West to Lake Phalen).
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Activities we've enjoyed recently
-3rd Monday Kayaking, May 16
We had a wonderful morning out on the water at Lake Gervais and Keller Lake, even with a bit of a headwind on the return. Are you new to kayaking and want to try it? Please join us on our future lake paddle events, Willow River Wisconsin State Park (July 18), or White Bear Lake (August 15). Meetup registration will be announced one month in advance of the event.
4th Monday Biking, May 23
We had another wonderful morning biking scenic Hastings. Vermillion Falls was flowing fast and pelicans were spotted at the lock and dam. Some of the group continued to socialize on the deck of the American Legion over lunch.
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Oakdale Wellness 50+ events
Oakdale Wellness 50+ team members have created several healthy events for July:
Tuesday, July 14, 11 am-12:30 pm , the Oakdale Discovery Center (4444 Hadley Ave. Oakdale) will host "What Can I Say? Communicating Our Feelings."
Rachael Sarto of Family Means Center for Grief and Loss will help the audience learn what to say to someone who has a loss or bad news. This is a problem for all of us as we age, wanting to say the right thing in the face of sadness. Please join the discussion and learning opportunity by calling 651-747-3860.
Friday, July 22, 9 am-3 pm, the team will host a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Oakdale Discovery Center. Donors can sign up through the American Red Cross website.
Sunday, July 24, Ice Cream Social! 1-3 pm. Come to the Oakdale Discovery Center for an afternoon of treats and fun. There will be ice cream, cookies, and games. Bring the family and all are welcome, no registration is necessary (Treats are for sale, but fun is free.)
Tuesday, July 26, at 6:30 pm. The Wellness Book Club will discuss The Omnivore's Dilemma; A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan at the Oakdale Library, 1010 Heron Ave N., Oakdale. If you can come, email oakdalewellness50new@gmail.com
The Wednesday Walks through the Oakdale Nature Preserve are ongoing and start at 9 am. Take a walk with us! Meet at the Oakdale Discovery Center.
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On June 9, Maxine Bethke led a Wellness 50+ walk for Oakdale Wellness members through Bethke Park, the marvelous park she designed and maintains. An Oakdale treasure! |
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Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ events
Summer Informational Table-June 13
Stop by the District Program Center, 8400 Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, between 12-3 pm to meet Wellness 50+ members and learn more about the organization and about summer activities in Cottage Grove and around Washington County. We’ll have the low-down on summer bike rides, kayak trips, local drop-in art groups, summer reading programs and more!
Hybrid Puzzle Competition-June 18
Avid puzzlers, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Ave. S., Cottage Grove, is hosting a jigsaw puzzle competition. Teams of two-to-four people compete to finish the same 550-piece puzzle in the least amount of time. Register for this program at: https://washcolib.libcal.com/event/9181954.
Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ at Strawberry Fest-June 18
Come and meet members of the Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ team during the Strawberry Fest on Saturday, June 18, from noon to 5 p.m. at Kingston Park in Cottage Grove. Win prizes by playing Corn Hole and answering quizzes.
Cottage Grove Guided Trail Hike at Shepard Farm (FREE) – Followed by Dinner (on Your Own Dime) at Junction 70-June 21
Want to get to know Shepard Farm, Dodge Nature Center’s newest property at 9020 70th St. S., Cottage Grove? Join trained Dodge volunteers for a guided trail hike through the big woods.
On this 45-minute hike, you’ll be introduced to the wildlife, environment and the historic character of Shepard Farm. This hike is free! No experience necessary—people of all activity levels are welcome.
Pre-registration is encouraged to secure your space. Please wear comfortable footwear and come dressed for the weather. Meet your guide at the pavilion to the south of the parking lot.
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Stillwater Wellness 50+ events |
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Local Activities for Grandchildren
Learn about fun and interesting things to do with your grandchildren in the St. Croix River Valley when you attend Local Activities for Grandchildren on Thursday, June 23, from 2-3:30 pm at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater. Call 651-439-7434 to register.
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News from Aging with Gusto |
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Aging with Gusto
Positive views on aging matter. Whether we’re 6, 60, or 106, aging is happening to all of us…if we’re lucky. That’s not going to change. But what can change is how we view aging and how we treat one another and ourselves as we age. How we think about our own aging and how we treat others as they age takes on added significance as America and the world age at an unprecedented rate. Aging with Gusto works to ignite a more positive view of aging.
Would you like to bring Aging with Gusto to your organization or community? Contact Donna Comer, Aging with Gusto Coordinator, donnajmcomer@gmail.com or call 763-226-4729 to schedule a series at a time that works for you.
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Confronting Ageism
Vital Aging Network offers programs on ageism designed for organizations and individuals interested in addressing the negative impacts of ageism in their work and business environments. Confronting Ageism provides a forum for people to raise their awareness about ageism and its impacts on older adults. This interactive workshop helps participants identify ways to address ageism in their work and personal lives.
Normally a 90-minute to a two-hour session, the workshop can also be delivered in greater depth and application to work environments as a 3-4 hour workshop. Are you interested in hosting a session? Contact Donna Comer, Aging with Gusto Coordinator, donnajmcomer@gmail.com or call 763-226-4729.
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From interestingfacts.com
Did you know that Cleopatra lived closer to the invention of the Iphone than she did to the beginning of construction of the pyramids? Learn more here
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For more information about VAN's Wellness 50+ program
or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com
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