In this edition
- Words of Wisdom from Eleanor Roosevelt
- Find a Convenient Aging with Gusto Session for Fall
- Donna Comer Named AWG Coordinator
- Wellness 50+ Events
- In the News
- Volunteer Opportunities
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Some words of wisdom
from Eleanor Roosevelt
"Every age, someone has said, is an undiscovered country. We are constantly advancing like explorers into the unknown, which makes life an adventure all the way... Whatever period of life we are in is good only to the extent we make use of it, that we live it to the hilt, that we continue to develop and understand what it has to offer us and we have to offer it. The rewards of each age are different in kind, but they are not necessarily different in value or in satisfaction."
Eleanor Roosevelt from You Learn by Living
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Notes from Aging with Gusto (AWG) |
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Register now for an Aging with Gusto session this fall!!
If you've been waiting for the opportunity to take part in one of VAN's Aging with Gusto series, there are several opportunities on the calendar for fall.
Please note: we had originally planned to offer these series in person and were excited to be meeting face-to-face once again. However, the recent surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant has made that option risky, and we're now working with hosts to pivot to an online, Zoom offering instead. More detail about the final decision will be available when you register or from Coordinator Donna Comer at donnajmcomer@gmail.com or 763-226-4729.
In Chanhassen: The Chanhassen Senior Center has scheduled two sets of AWG series.
- The first is Wednesdays, September 29, October 6, and October 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.
- The second is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, November 1, 3, and 5 from 10 a.m. to noon.
To register for free for the two series sponsored by the Chanhassen Senior Center, call 952-227-1124 or email mblazanin@ci.chanhassen.mn.us
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In Stillwater: The Thrive program of Community Thread in Stillwater is sponsoring a series on Thursdays, October 14, 21, and 28, from 2-4 p.m.
There is no cost for the Stillwater Community Thread sessions. Register by calling 651-439-7434. Registration deadline is October 8.
Questions about any Aging with Gusto sessions? Contact Coordinator Donna Comer at donnajmcomer@gmail.com or 763-226-4729.
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What is Aging with Gusto anyway?
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.
- Increase awareness of ageism and its impact on attitudes, behaviors, and experience with aging.
- Explore how to maintain our well being and manage challenges as we age.
- 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.
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Donna Comer is AWG's new coordinator
Donna Comer has been named to the post of AWG Coordinator. She started her duties on September 1. Donna previously served as an Aging With Gusto facilitator for both in-person and online sessions and brings a wealth of knowledge about the Vital Aging Network and its goals and values and the mission and vision of the AWG program.
As coordinator Donna will focus primarily on conducting outreach, securing organizations to host AWG, and working with hosts to handle the logistics of setting up sessions.
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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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You're invited to participate
in one of these Wellness 50+ events
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Wellness 50+ in Washington County and its Washington County partners have some very special events planned for fall.
You're invited--whether or not you're a Washington County resident. Here's the rundown:
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Bike tour at Levee Park in Hastings, September 20
Join Wellness 50+ Washington County for a bike ride on Monday, September 20, at 10 a.m. at Levee Park in Hastings. The ride will be about 16 miles. A helmet is required. There's an optional lunch gathering at the VFW following the ride. For more information e-mail warsam11@aol.com.
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Hike Big Marine Park Reserve on October 5
Time for a fall hike! Join the group at Big Marine Park Reserve, 17495 Manning Trail N. in Marine on St. Croix on Tuesday, October 5. Hike starts at 10 a.m. Refreshments follow. Register here.
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Get your flu shot
Cottage Grove Wellness 50+ , along with Walgreens, is sponsoring a flu shot clinic on Thursday, October 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Senior Center, 8400 Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove. Call 651-666-8408 to register.
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Oakdale events
Sunday in the Park with ice cream!
Oakdale Wellnerss 50+ is sponsoring a good, old-fashioned ice cream social on Sunday, September 26 from 1-3 p.m. at Oakdale Nature Preserve Park, 4444 Hadley Avenue North.
MilkMart Ice Cream and Candy will be there with its ice cream truck offering great treats for sale.
There will be games, too!
No registration required. Join us!
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Brush up! Learn from scratch:
First aid, Hands-Only CPR, AED Instruction
This essential instruction will equip you to save a life.
September 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Oakdale Discovery Center.. 4444 Hadley Avenue N., Oakdale. Instruction by the Oakdale Fire Department. Registration is limited. Call 651-747-3860 to register.
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Oakdale Wellness 50+ Book Club
The Oakdale Wellness Book Club meets every other month to discuss a wellness related book. Beginning in September we will meet in the Oakdale Library Community Room, 1010 Heron Ave. N., with a virtual option. If you are interested in joining please email oakdalewellness50new@gmail.com to be added to our distribution list.
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September 28 Breath by James Nestor
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November 30 Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
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January 25 The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
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March 22 The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner
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Oakdale 50+ Wednesday Walks
The last Summer walk will be September 22nd 9 am at the Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Avenue N., Oakdale. But there's good news! Fall walks will start on October 2. Come join us and enjoy the cooler temps and fall colors at the Oakdale Nature Preserve. We plan on continuing in the winter with snow shoeing on the trails.
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This cartoon ran in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on September1, 2021. |
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We're at the top of the hill, not over it!
Here's a story from the site Nextavenue.org about two women who formed a company to help other women in their 50s begin new businesses or pivot their careers.
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How did we get here? And where do we go next?
Welcome to the future of eldercare: Here's another story from nextavenue.org about how the pandemic brought a focus to elder care in our country and some of the current discussions concerning what needs to happen next.
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Looking for volunteer opportunities?
Consider AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps announces opportunities to serve
During these challenging times, join AmeriCorps as we work to close community gaps in education, affordable housing and other areas. We’re now recruiting AmeriCorps members for several programs including K-third grade Math Corps and a new Heading Home Corps to help people find affordable housing. We offer part-time or full-time positions with start dates in September, October or January. Benefits include a small stipend every two weeks, up to $6,000 in an education award (or gift to children or grandchildren), health insurance, etc. Here are some highlights:
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Math Corps: Make an impact by tutoring K-third grade school students to help them thrive in math. Whatever your experience or background, we’ll train and coach you in proven strategies that help your students succeed. Details at: https://readingandmath.org/math-corps/
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We’re offering a new Heading Home Corps program in September to help Minnesotans experiencing homelessness get safe and affordable housing. Our members will work directly with individuals and families to help them navigate resources and find affordable housing. Additional details are here: https://www.servetogrow.org/headinghome
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For more information about VAN's Wellness 50+ program
or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com
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Would you like to receive the Vital Aging Network e-Bulletin? Subscribe now.
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