EATON — The Preble County Council on Aging Board of Trustees requests that you complete our survey in order to assure that the services being offered are useful and that your tax dollars are being utilized to meet the greatest need. To fill out a survey visit Decade’s Diner, Midway Diner in Lewisburg, or stop by the Preble County Council on Aging at 800 East St. Clair St., Eaton. It is a brief survey and upon completion your survey will be entered to win $100. You must be 18 years of age or older, a Preble County resident and have returned the completed survey in by June 15 to be eligible to win. For more information or to have a survey mailed to you call us at 937-456-4947.

Music Club Meeting Dates

The Preble County Senior Center Music Club meets at The Grange, located at 501 Nation Avenue in Eaton. The Instrumental Music Club meets the first Thursday of every month (July 7) at 10 a.m. The Choral Music Club will meet on the second and fourth Thursday (June 9 & 23) of every month at 10:00 a.m. There is always an open invitation for musicians, vocalists, and anyone interested in music. For more information, call the Senior Center 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, 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!

Northern Connection

The next Northern Connection meeting will be held on June 8. 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. June’s program will be musical entertainment, Richard Scott. If you joined us on Senior Day, you heard some of the good tunes that Richard Scott has to offer. 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.

Make Sun Tea

We are making sun tea Wednesday, June 8, join us at 2 p.m. at the Senior Center to enjoy some good, warm sun tea with us. On Friday June 10, join us at 10 a.m. for the History of Iced Tea! 937-456-4947

History of Iced Tea

Come on over to the Senior Center Friday June 10 at 10 a.m. and enjoy some iced tea while you learn about the history of iced tea. Did it begin on a muggy day in the south sitting on the porch? You will have to attend to find out the truth on the matter. Need a ride? Call 937-456-4947.

Lunch with Jake

Jake Dailey is a volunteer with the U.S. Veterans Administration. “Lunch with Jake” is an opportunity for veterans to ask questions and get information about services available through the Veterans Administration while enjoying lunch in the Decade’s Diner at the Preble County Activities Center, located at 800 East St. Clair Street in Eaton. Jake also has a lot of knowledge about Preble County. In addition, Jake wants input about possible trips that would be of interest to men. He will also provide information about activities at the Activities Center that would be of interest to men. “Lunch with Jake” will take place the 2nd (June 13) and 4th (June 27) Monday of every month.

Bingo!

Join in the fun on Tuesday, June 14, at 2 p.m. for our Bingo. This week’s Bingo is sponsored by Heartland of Eaton.

Caregiver’s Support Group

Join us on Wednesday, June 15 at 10 a.m. for the Caregiver’s Support Group (formerly the Alzheimer’s Support Group), held at the Preble County Activities Center, 800 East St. Clair Street in Eaton. The support group is sponsored and hosted by Heartland of Eaton. The support group meets the third Wednesday of each month at the PC Senior Center. Call 937-456-4947 for additional information.

Birthday Bash

Join us in celebrating all the June Birthdays on Wednesday June 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. This month’s Birthday Bash is sponsored by Gateway Health. Join in on the fun, you deserve it!

New Senior Center Mini-Trips Added

The Preble County Activities 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 includes Wednesday, June 15 – Miami Valley Military History Museum; Thursday, June 30 – “The Lion King” at the Schuster Theatre (sponsored in part by Arbor Trace); Tuesday, August 23 – Woodland Historical Tour; Friday, September 9 – “Million Dollar Quartet” at LaComedia, and Tuesday, October 4 – Darke County Past to Present. Call Cookie at 937-456-4947 for more information or stop by the Activities Center to pick up a flyer.

Senior Center Motor Coach Trips

The Preble County Activities Center has the following motor coach trips planned for this year: Tuesday, July 19 – Rising Star Casino; and Tuesday, Wednesday, July 27 – Ohio State Fair; Aug. 2 – Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals evening game. Call Cookie at 937-456-4947 for more information or stop by the Activities Center to pick up a flyer.

HEAP Assistance Available

Summer Crisis Program 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 cooling systems during the summer months. The Summer Crisis Program provides bill payment assistance to Ohioans with a household income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines in addition to having a member of the household who is at least 60 years old, or can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Applicants must apply in-person at the Community Action Partnership, 937-456-2800. Call to set up an appointment. You will need to include: proof of income for the past 12 months, a copy of your recent fuel/utility bill, proof of medical condition signed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, and a list of all household members (including Social Security Numbers). You can call the Ohio Development Services Agency’s hotline 800-282-0880, Community Action Partnership (937)456-2800 or the Preble County Council on Aging 937-456-4947.

Senior Companionship Program

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 are needed for the Senior Companionship Program. 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% of the federal poverty guidelines. For more information or to complete an application, contact Bev at 937-456-4947.

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 Activities Center, 800 East St. Clair Street in Eaton, the Decade’s Diner is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Choose 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.

Visit our website at www.PrebleSeniorCenter.org or the Preble County Council on Aging Facebook page for more information. Membership at the Senior Center is $10 a year. In addition to other benefits, members automatically receive our bi-monthly “Senior Scene” newsletter which features all the latest news.