July 2021

In this edition
  • Who's a hero?
  • Aging with Gusto's approach to ageism
  • Would your group benefit from an Aging with Gusto workshop?
  • Wellness 50+ events
  • Exercise Challenge winners!
  • In the news
The heroes among us

by Warren Wolfe


We’ve heard a lot about heroes over the past 18 months and legitimately so.

They are the people who have risked their lives to tend the sick, protect our safety and property, keep the nation’s supply lines moving, stock grocery shelves and take on scores of other critical tasks. Many are people you know.

But look closer--at your neighbors, your friends, your family, even yourself.

At a time when our health was at risk and we could not predict the course of COVID-19, who donned a mask and went out for groceries? Who phoned or wrote to friends at a time of physical distancing? Who mastered the art of Zoom and other online tools to keep social groups, religious services and even funerals a source of support? Who offered love, care and encouragement to children and frail relatives at home in isolation? Who offered comfort to the sick and the survivors? Who gave financial help to those in need?

You did, and so did people all around you. By your words, your actions, your mere presence, you helped so many of us survive one more day, one more month, of living into the unknown.

You are my hero.
 
I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles.-- Christopher Reeve
Aging with Gusto's approach to ageism

by Aging with Gusto Facilitator Sally Brown

Many of you have attended an Aging with Gusto series of discussions, but did you know that Aging with Gusto also offers ageism workshops?

These workshops are generally presented at an organization interested in reducing the impacts of ageism in the work environment. The sessions typically last 90 minutes to two hours and can be tailored to different audiences and organizational interests. Through engaging activities and discussions, participants learn about how misconceptions, biases and prejudices about aging display themselves and affect all of us in our everyday lives.

Participants explore the detrimental effects of ageism on the health and well-being of people.

They identify ways that ageism may affect their work environment, and they develop ideas for how to incorporate positive practices and attitudes about aging in their work.

The workshops raise awareness about ageism and help participants identify ways to address ageism in their personal and professional lives.

 If your organization is interested in hosting a workshop, please contact Sally Brown via email at sallybrown46@comcast.net.
Notes from Aging with Gusto

What is Aging with Gusto?
Aging with Gusto is one of the programs of the Vital Aging Network. Aging with Gusto works to ignite a more positive view of aging.

Aging with Gusto offers a three-session discussion series, in person and online. The discussions are led by trained facilitators and offer plenty of time for participants to engage and to learn from one another.

The purpose of these sessions is to:
  • Encourage more positive views of aging.
  • Heighten appreciation for the capacity of people of all ages to contribute in their families and communities.
  • Increase awareness of ideas, behaviors and practices that are based on misconceptions and biases about older people.
  • Develop ideas for how to “age with gusto.”

It’s no secret: our society favors youth and shies away from aging. Prejudice against people as they age comes with a twist: It is discrimination against our future selves.

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.

What's happening with AWG now?
During the past year as the COVID-19 pandemic changed all of our lives, AWG moved from primarily in-person to mostly online, Zoom sessions. Now, as the pandemic wanes, AWG leaders are working to provide both options to the community in the future.

AWG sessions have finished for the summer, but several community groups are now scheduling sessions for fall.

If you would like to participate in an AWG series this fall, or if you are part of a community group that would benefit from this program, please contact Facilitator Sally Brown at sallybrown46@comcast.net

What participants this spring said about Aging with Gusto:

"I hadn't thought about my values for a long time. This series has inspired me to be more intentional about how I decide to spend my time."

"I appreciate the authenticity of the presenters and the people in the group who shared thoughts and challenges."
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.

More ways to enjoy summer:
Participate in one of these Washington County Wellness 50+ events
Wellness 50+ in Washington County and its Washington County partners have some very special events planned for the remainder of the summer.

You're invited--whether or not you're a Washington County resident. Here's the rundown:
July 19--Wellness 50+ monthly bike ride. 10 a.m. to noon. Start at Brown's Creek Nature Preserve. See directions below.* Ride to downtown Stillwater. Then continue on the path across the St. Croix River Bridge and return via the pedestrian lift bridge. There's an optional lunch stop at one of the Stillwater restaurants. The ride is about 18 miles. Helmets are required. Register by e-mailing wellness50mn@gmail.com
 
*Directions to Brown's Creek Nature Preserve: Take Highway 36 toward Stillwater and follow detour signs to County Road 15 North (Manning Ave.) After completing the detour, continue north on County Road 15 roughly one mile and turn right on McKusick Road. Go one mile and turn right on Neal Avenue. Drive another mile to the parking lot. 
...

July 21--Let's plan for the future: estate planning basics. 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Amy York of York Law in Cottage Grove will talk about the basics of estate planning and answer questions. Join us at Oakwood Park, 7851 Harkness Ave. S., Cottage Grove. (Bring a chair.) Register by e-mailing wellness50mn@gmail.com
...

July 26--Kayak tour: 10 a.m. Join us for a paddle around the Arcola Islands; get a front-row view of the Arcola high bridge; see eagles, osprey, ducks, birds, and see the 1847 Arcola mansion and learn about the sawmill developed by the Mower brothers. Register here. (Kayakers will receive more information about where to meet and other details after they register.)
...

Aug. 3-Free Tuesday at Lake Elmo Park. Join us for fishing at 9 a.m. and yoga at 10:45 a.m. Register here.

If you would like more information about any of these events, email wellness50mn@gmail.com
Oakdale Wellness 50+ promotes healthy living with an Exercise Challenge

Oakdale Wellness 50+ sponsored an Exercise Challenge for six weeks this spring and summer ending in early July.

The purpose of the challenge was to encourage physical activity and healthy eating. Participants got points for exercise completed (15 minutes= 1 point), for eating fruits and vegetables (one serving= 1 point) and water consumptions (50 ounces per day =2 points). Nancy Joseph was the challenge winner with 1,111 points. Jan Cunningham and Sue Dallman took the second and third places. The top winners received gift cards donated by Target, and all the participants benefitted from their efforts to establish healthy habits.
In the news:
Downsizing? You might want to read what Senior Move Manager Margit Nowack has to say about the process in a recent edition of the Nextavenue website newsletter. Read her thoughts here.
For more information about VAN's Wellness 50+ program
or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com