Senior Edition

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EATON — Do you have an interest in scrapbooking? Would you like to learn how to make scrapbooks? The Scrapbooking Club, with instructor Pam Barr, will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 p.m. at the Preble County Senior Center. For more information, contact Stacey Copes at 937-456-4947.

Join the Music Club

Calling all musicians, singers, and anyone interested in music. The next meeting of the Preble County Senior Center Music Club will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. at The Grange, located at 501 Nation Avenue, Eaton. The Music Club meets the 1st Thursday of every month. For more information, call the Senior Center at 937-456-4947.

Join us for “Fun Friday”

The February “Fun Friday” will take place on Friday, Feb. 5, at noon at The Grange, located at 501 Nation Avenue in Eaton. This month’s theme is “For the Love of Seniors!” We will celebrate with food and. Tickets are $3 for members and $5 for non-members. Purchase your ticket in advance at the Preble County Council on Aging.

Northern Connection meetings

The Northern Connection “Lunch & Learn” meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church, located at 301 E. Main Street in New Paris. The Northern Connection is a partnership between the Preble County Council on Aging and the St. Paul United Methodist Church. Lunch is served at no charge (donations are welcome) followed by either a speaker on a topic of interest, or entertainment. Information is also available on services provided by the Preble County Council on Aging. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, contact the St. Paul United Methodist Church at 937-437-8484, the Preble County Council on Aging at 937-456-4947, or visit the Northern Connection Facebook page.

HEAP assistance available

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of Community Assistance (OCA). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit will depend on federal funding levels, how many people live with you, total household income, and the primary fuel you use to heat your home. In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company (or fuel vendor). Bev Shindeldecker, Preble County Council on Aging I&R Specialist, is available to help seniors determine eligibility, complete paperwork, and answer questions regarding

You can make an appointment to meet with Bev by calling 937-456-4947 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Senior Companionship program

through the Preble County Council on Aging. The Companionship Program at the Preble County Council on Aging helps community seniors stay in their homes and live independently by providing assistance with tasks of daily living and offering friendship and emotional support. Services provided include an in-home companion and/or a daily telephone reassurance call. For more information on these available services, contact Bev at 937-456-4947.

Volunteers for the Senior Companionship Program are needed. There are two different levels of volunteers needed:

– Preble County Senior Center Volunteer: Provide in-home assistance or telephone calls. You can volunteer as often or as little as you like. You will be responsible for recording your volunteer hours and mileage on a monthly basis. Mileage is reimbursed at $.50/mile. For more information or to complete a volunteer application, contact Stacey at 937-456-4947.

– Graceworks Volunteer: Provide in-home assistance. Required to attend a 20 hour start-up training at the senior center and one 4-hour in-service each month. You will earn a stipend of $2.65/hour (tax free) and $.30/mile. You must “work” at least 15 hours/week in the clients home. To volunteer in the Graceworks program, you must be 55 or older and your income must be lower than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For more information or to complete an application, contact Bev at 937-456-4947.

Thursday Night Weekly Dance

The Thursday Night Dance is held from 5-8 p.m. at The Grange at 501 Nation Avenue, Eaton. The Silvertones, a local band from Camden, Ohio will provide an enjoyable evening of classic rock & roll and country music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Band members include Michael Powers on piano; Mike Buckley, lead guitar; Danny Witt, bass; and Gary “Pete” Peters on drums. The dance features delicious food, with a $1 menu, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes. Admission is $3 per individual/$5 per couple. Join us for a fun evening! The Dance on Jan. 28, is sponsored by Heartland of Eaton.

Senior Center Mini-Trips

The Preble County Senior Center plans mini-trips for individuals who want a shorter, less strenuous travel day. Ten-seat passenger vans or smaller motor coaches are used for most mini-trips. Descriptive flyers are available at the Senior Center for 2016 Mini-Trips. Pick up and return to your home is available upon request. A sampling of the mini-trips scheduled so far for 2016 include: Tuesday, April 5 – Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield, Ohio; Wednesday, May 4 – Cincinnati Reds’ Day Game (sponsored in part by Heartland of Eaton); Wednesday, May 18 – Presidential Luncheon Motor Coach trip (sponsored in part by The Knolls of Oxford); Tuesday, May 24 – Dayton Dragons Evening Game (sponsored in part by The Knolls of Oxford); Wednesday, June 15 – Miami Valley Military History Museum; Thursday, June 30 – “The Lion King” at the Schuster Theatre (sponsored in part by Arbor Trace); and Tuesday, August 2 – Cincinnati Reds’ Night Game. Call 937-456-4947 for more information or stop by the Senior Center to pick up a flyer.

Have you visited the Decade’s Diner for lunch? If not, you are missing out on this unique location with its distinctive 1950’s decor and memorabilia, including a juke box and graffiti wall. Located at the Preble County Senior Center, 800 East St. Clair Street in Eaton, the Decade’s Diner is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Chose from the daily special, combo, or the regular menu. Don’t forget to order one of the delicious homemade desserts! The Decade’s Diner is open to the public and all ages are welcome. Carry-out is available. Call 937-456-4947 to place your order.

Many exciting events, trips, and activities are planned for seniors in Preble County in coming months. Check out our website or Facebook pages for the latest news. Membership at the Senior Center is only $10 a year. In addition to other benefits, members automatically receive our bi-monthly “Senior Scene” newsletter, which features all the latest news. The menu is also included in the newsletter. Visit our website at www.prebleseniorcenter.org or the Preble County Council on Aging Facebook page.

By Karen Lowery

For The Register-Herald

Reach Karen at the Preble County Senior Center at 937-456-4947.

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