January 2019

Happy New Year!

Let’s start our New Year with much gratitude to all those who have supported the Harvard Community Senior Center this past year!  

With the beginning of 2019, we would like to thank First National Bank for their generous gift toward our new parking lot project that is scheduled for a spring groundbreaking!

2019 PEOPLE IN NEED FORUM – McHenry County College Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 8 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  FREE ADMISSION!  Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8 a.m.  This is a wonderful event with loads of helpful information on a wide variety of organizations and services in McHenry County.  Please come and stop by the Senior Center table. Check out their Facebook Event for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1294629640676064/

Buy a Brick The Harvard Community Senior Center is sponsoring a Buy a Brick program to help with the Senior Center’s required portion of the parking lot project.  The project will cost approximately $70,000, with about $66,000 coming from 2 community development block grants, corporate & community donations, the Food Pantry, and the City of Harvard.  Please consider showing your support by buying a 12 x 12 brick ($200.00) with your name that will be installed around our garden and path from the new parking area.

The Harvard Community Senior Center PEARLS Program is continuing to expand throughout Harvard and surrounding areas.

PEARLS serves individuals over age 60 and individuals of all ages with Epilepsy who suffer from Depression. This is a free, countywide, program led by the Harvard Community Senior Center to provide clinical depression treatment and medication management in the participant’s own home or other comfort setting.  The program is evidence based, runs for 19 weeks, and is funded by the McHenry County Mental Health Board, McHenry County Senior Services Commission and a McHenry County Community Development Block Grant.

PEARLS Referrals – Anyone can refer an Older Adult or individual with Epilepsy to the PEARLS program.  If you are concerned that someone you know is depressed, call 815-701-6605.  A trained social worker will respond and set up an initial assessment.

Are you still confused or overwhelmed trying to navigate the Medicare system?

You’re not alone.  Although, open enrollment is over for 2018, you are still encouraged to explore your options and ask any questions you may have.  There are different enrollment periods based on your individual situation.

Cynthia Sheppard, our SHIP Counselor, is here every Monday & Thursday from 9-4 with later hours available upon request.  You are welcome to call and discuss any concerns you may have or schedule an appointment to come in.

SHIP Counseling sessions are by appointment only (Monday or Thursday 9-4) at the Harvard Community Senior Center.  Appointments may also be made at alternative locations in Hebron or Huntley on Monday’s as available.

All appointments should be scheduled through Cynthia Sheppard at 815-943-2740.

Harvard High School Madrigal Singers – We love these kids who come and sing to us every Christmas season!  Thank you and we’ll see you again next December!

Celebrated Senior of the Month – MARILYN CREPS!

We would like to start 2019 by recognizing Marilyn Creps.  Marilyn is a steady contributing presence to our Senior Center!  Her generous donations of time and treasure are truly a blessing.  Marilyn brings a gentle, kind, and humorous spirit wherever she goes.  We are ever so thankful to know her! Love you Marilyn!!

Yoga Class is growing!  Once you attend one of Dorothy Robin’s you will want to come back for more! Dorothy states, “I like teaching things that people can use throughout their day.”  She recently added walls to participant’s repertoire of information!  GO DOROTHY! To which she would no doubt respond, GO SENIORS! Classes by Workplace Wellness Yoga, LLC Dorothy Robin strongly suggests seniors go to https://photos.app.goo.gl/zitbZFvynie9yFD56 This sequence is a ‘feel good’ way to start the day in bed or on the  floor, and to do before bedtime at night.  Note: always check with your doctor before practicing any new activity. In addition, if there’s a movement that you shouldn’t be making, or if  it hurts/is uncomfortable, don’t do it.

Make and Take

Laura Zaraza has been a Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator for 20+ years, holding In-Your-Home Workshops, Classes, Stamp Camps, Craft Fairs & kid’s Birthday Parties-A Specialty. She will bring out the creative talent you never knew you had!  Come and let her show you how easy stamping is and how quickly you can make amazing things with stamps, paper and ink.  

Art Class…
Don’t miss the next Watercolor session January 24th at 1pm with
Barb Youhn. There is a $2.00 fee for supplies.

Wii Exercise and Games

Join the fun on Thursdays after bingo.We’re looking
for enough people to have a tournament.

Please consider ‘SHOPPING TO SERVE SENIORS on AmazonSmile. You shop exactly as you would on Amazon with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the Senior Center. Go to smile.amazon.com, look for “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on the product detail pages. You use your same Amazon account: Look for “Supporting”
Click on the down arrow.
Click on ”Change”
Look for “Pick” and type in
Harvard Senior Community Center.

Room Rentals

As you plan your 2018 events, parties, and family
functions, remember that the Senior Center can be
rented out on our non-service days. Call 815
943-2740 for details and our current rates. Senior
Center members enjoy discount rental rates

LOOKING AHEAD

“When The Weather Outside Is Frightful”!

Stop by the Center any Monday, Wednesday or Thursday through the end of February and have a free cup of hot cocoa.  If you are a reader, you can relax in our “lounge” and read one of our books or bring your own. Also, we will have a puzzle “in process” for puzzle lovers!

WISH LIST

2019 funding for our regular supplies will be very limited again this year.  We remain as thankful as ever for all the generously donated items our seniors bring each week to the Center!

Needs include:  Plates, napkins, coffee cups, plastic wear, food items that we can stretch to last such as trail mixes, popcorn, package cookies, water, and any other drink items you are willing to donate.  Cleaning products such as Antibactrial wipes, Pine Sol, Lysol and paper towels are also appreciated. Try to remember to bring your receipts and thank you for the ongoing support!

Senior Volunteers & Contributors:

Barb Youhn, Barb Cheek, Peg York, Rose Berglund, Peg Bankson, Deb Marlow, Ruth Greenlee, Beverly Stuyvesant, Dorothy Berry, Kathleen Felice, Keven Wood, Verda Blaizer, Mary Lou Collier, Clara Shotliff, Bob Reed, Marilyn Creps, Dan Wirtz, Geri Neff, Bob Bandovich, Daniel Serdar, Chris Zalewski, and Glenda Stewart, Carol Gauger from Websites Done By U, Steve Santeler, Sharon Smith, MCCF, Full Circle Foundation, Carol Waggoner, Justin from X-Tek, Tina Maggnetta, Penny Goad, Nancy and Bob Berkholtz

Corporate Sponsors

Founding Sponsor — The City of Harvard

Diamond  Sponsor

Mercyhealth Harvard Hospital

American Family Insurance

Platinum

First Presbyterian Church of Harvard

Harvard Ranch for Seniors

Gold

A-OK, Inc. Harvard Products, Inc.

Grant Resource$, LLC

First National Bank

Erect-A-Tube

Silver

Jones Insurance Services

Shepherd Premier Senior Living

Community Giving Leaders –

Grace Bersted Foundation

Full Circle Foundation

Carl & Marla Opper

Board of Directors

Penny Goad – President

Raul Meza – Treasurer

Kathy Schack

Ryan Knop

Sonia Hernandez

Jay Nolan

Senior Advisory Council

Kathleen Felice – Chair

Barb Cheek – Recording Secretary

Peggy York

Kevin Wood

All Seniors Welcome

PEARLS Counselor – Shannon Hart

PEARLS Case Manager – Jane Montgomery

SHIP Counselor – Cynthia Sheppard

Harvard Community Senior Center

6817 Harvard Hills Road, Harvard, IL 60033

Phone: 815.943.2740

Website:
www.harvardseniorcenter.org

E-mail:
Sharon.Smith@harvardseniorcenter.org    Sharon Smith, Grant Manager

Glenda.stewart@harvardseniorcenter.org  Glenda Steward, Site Manager