VOLUME 36 • NUMBER 3 ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY / JUNE 2019

Rockford Public Schools SENIORS UNLIMITED

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS: www.rockfordschools.org HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! When Rockford Public Schools are closed BEING A MOTHER or dismissed early due to bad weather, Rockford Community Services activities will After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile also be cancelled. me to take another woman out to dinner and was on her lips. a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you too, and she would “It was I who used to have to read the menu ACTIVITY LEVELS love to spend some time with you.” when you were small,” she said. Look for our new Activity Levels in our “Then it’s time that you relax and let me return newsletters to indicate the level of physical The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow the favor,” I responded. activity required to participate. for 19 years, but the demands of my work and During the dinner, we had an agreeable LOW: Low Activity Level, Handicapped my three children had made it possible to visit conversation - nothing extraordinary but accessibility her only occasionally. That night I called to catching up on recent events of each other’s invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. life. We talked so much that we missed the MEDIUM: Medium Activity Level, including a “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked. My movie. moderate amount of walking, may include a mother is the type of woman who suspects that As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll few stairs or hills. Handicapped accessibility a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign go out with you again, but only if you let me is limited. of bad news. invite you.” I agreed. HIGH: High Activity Level, requiring a high “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend “How was your dinner date?” asked my wife amount of walking, including stairs. Handi- some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two when I got home. of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and capped accessibility not readily available. then said, “I would like that very much.” “Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered. That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at A few days later, my mother died of a massive HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I Area Agency on Aging 456.5664 be nervous about our date. She waited in the didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Caregiver Resource Network 456.5664 door with her coat on. She had curled her hair Some time later, I received an envelope with and was wearing the dress that she had worn a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same Good Samaritans 217.6973 to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She place mother and I had dined. An attached Hope Network 243.0876 smiled from a face that was as radiant as an note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t angel’s. sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I North Kent Connect 866.3478 paid for two plates - one for you and the other Senior Meals Program – “I told my friends that I was going to go out for your wife. You will never know what that If you are interested in assistance with your with my son, and they were impressed,” she night meant for me. I love you, son.” said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait meals, please call 459.3111 to hear about our meeting.” At that moment, I understood the importance of Senior Neighbors 459.6019 saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our We went to a restaurant that, although not loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing Senior Transportation for the Rockford area elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother in life is more important than your family. Give Ride Link 774.1288 took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After them the time they deserve, because these we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes things cannot be put off till “some other time.” could only read large print. Half way through CLASS LOCATIONS the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom ~ Author Unknown

RAB - Rockford Administration Building RHFC - Rockford High School Freshman Center NEWSLETTER Please call 863.6322 if you would like to receive the Senior News- NRMS - North Rockford Middle School letter. If you have a suggestion for a guest speaker for the luncheons, or a trip you would like to go on, we would love to hear from you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL 863.6322, OR SEND YOUR RESERVATION ALONG WITH PAYMENT TO ROCKFORD COMMUNITY SERVICES, 350 N MAIN ST., ROCKFORD MI 49341 BINGO $2.00 for 6 Cards. 1st Wednesday of the month, 1:00 pm Rockford Ambulance Community Room, 8450 Shaner Ave. Please call 863.6322 and let us know if you will be attending. May 1 - #5102-S19A June 5 - #5102-S19B No Bingo – July and August September 4 - #5102-F19A

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING 1:00 pm Monday, May - no meeting Monday, June 10

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE Michael Herring will be available to assist you with any legal issues or questions you may have. Appointments are held at ENHANCEFITNESS Rockford Community Services, 350 N Main St. Please call Just for people age 60 or older! EnhanceFitness is a program that 863.6322 to schedule appointment. focuses on developing strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility Tuesdays, 10:00 am–12:00 pm in a fun group exercise class! If you are interested in getting more (30 minute appointment) active, meeting new people, and having fun, this class is for you! May 28 Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 9:30-10:30 am June 25 Ongoing RAB – Cafeteria July 30 Suggested donation - $3.00/class August 27

SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT Navigating the pieces of your retirement income planning strategy can be a daunting task. Throughout this presentation, we will point out where legislative changes to Social Security claiming strategies were impacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Our goal here will be to help you become aware of some of the variables that can impact your benefits. Recognizing what those are is step 1 in taking control of your own retirement income planning strategy. Instructor: Nolan Goslee. Wednesday, May 8 (1 class) 6:30–7:30 pm RAB $10 #1886-S19A Community Thursday, May 30 (1 class) 6:30–7:30 pm RAB $10 #1886-S19B Cabin College A service of Rockford Public Schools UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS ON YOUR HOME & AUTO INSURANCE POLICIES Learn the basics of your home and auto insurance policies. In this Offering opportunities for lifelong learning and forging of new discussion we will review home and auto insurance policy. friendships. We’ll be meeting at the Community Cabin to enjoy We will review the key terms and coverages within a policy so lunch and speakers on the third Monday of each month. that you can better understand how to better protect your assets. This class is designed for any persons or family that would like to understand what they are paying for as it relates to insurance. Lunch: 12:00 pm Cost: $7.00 It will be a fun interactive class with plenty of questions and Rockford Community Cabin 220 Monroe St. answers. Instructor: Justin Goushaw owns a local insurance agency with Farm Bureau in Rockford. He loves to work in a one-on-one basis with his clients so that they are educated on the GRAND RAPIDS WHITE WATER - RESTORING THE insurance they are purchasing. RAPIDS 6:30–8:00 pm Presented by: Matt Chapman Wednesday, May 1 & Thursday, May 9 (2 sessions) The Grand River has been ignored for many years and has RAB $10 #1337-S19A lost its value. The solution is to bring the river back to a more natural state for fish and creatures, remove dangerous dams, and create ways for people to access and use the river. Through ongoing scientific study, planning, design, and working group meetings with federal, tribal, and city representatives, a full river revitalization project is underway Register at with expected social, environmental, and economic benefits. www.rpssignmeup.com Monday, May 20 - #5263-S19B

2 LET’S START A ZENTANGLE ZOO!! This could be the start of your own menagerie!! The animal kingdom is full of natural beauty so let’s explore it using Zentangle! This peaceful, whimsical art form offers an ideal way to create, mixing and matching repetitive patterns to produce different looks, textures, patterns and shapes. You will leave with a completed picture and many “way cool” techniques to do more at your own pace. Bring a friend, or your mom to share the fun! All supplies are included; suitable for ages 10+. *Each participant will receive JUNE 13 the book Drawing Zentangle Animals (included in the cost). Monday, May 13 (1 Class) 6:30–7:30 pm RAB $30 #1175-S19A

MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS Mantric Meditation (sometimes referred to as “Mindfulness”) c is a simple daily breathing technique which releases tension ni from within the body and provides a high level of calm and Summerp i c relaxation which lasts throughout the day. It does a wonderful job of offsetting stress, which is the number one major problem in our country today. The history of Mantric Meditation dates back some 7,000 years to India and is currently used by millions of Americans to enable them to enhance the overall quality of their lives. Instructor: Gary Paul is a retired international management consultant and former member of the adjunct faculty at Davenport University. He has spoken on the subject of Controlling THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 Professional & Personal Stress at the local, state and national level. Thursday, May 16 (1 class) 7:00–9:00 pm 12:00 – 2:00 PM RAB $30 #1539-S19A $7.00 #5008-S19A STEPPING INTO SUMMER WITH ESSENTIAL OILS Essential Oils are an incredible tool used for thousands of years ROCKFORD COMMUNITY CABIN, 220 Monroe St. for health and vitality. Join us for an introduction to essential oils. Learn simple tips to incorporate them into your lifestyle. Musical entertainment provided Instructor: Carly Koster. Carly is an avid essential oil user and Western BBQ Buffet Catered by educator. She enjoys educating others on how they too can pursue a lifestyle of wellness with Essential Oils. “Brann’s Distinctive Catering and Banquet Center” Wednesday, May 1 (1 class) 6:30–8:00 pm Baked Chicken, Baked Potatoes with Butter and Sour NRMS $20 #1171-S19B Cream, Corn on the Cob, Tossed Salad with Dressings, Pasta Salad, Drink, and Dessert.

OUT TO LIMITED SPACE, REGISTER EARLY! Please call 863.6322 to register ~ Join Us ~ SENIOR LIVING DAYS & WHITECAPS GAME Enjoy lunch and a great view of the baseball game from the FOR FUN AND SOCIALIZATION! Pepsi Stadium Club! The Pepsi Stadium Club is an exclusive INVITE YOUR FRIENDS. indoor climate controlled area located in right center field. We will arrive early for Bingo starting at 10:00am. Lunch will be served at game time (11:00am) which includes one hot Everyone is welcome dog, a bag of chips, two cookies and your choice of a soft drink or coffee. Come join the fun! Activity Level: Medium Wednesday, May 8 #5111-S19A $25 (includes to all senior events. lunch, bingo, game ticket & transportation) 9:15 am Departure from Hush Puppies Shoe Store If you have any suggestions for future outings or South Parking Lot (by the Hot Dog Mover) classes please contact Kris at 616.863.6322 1:30 pm Return to Rockford or email [email protected]

3 Stimulate your mind, meet new friends, and read books you may not normally read. Books are from the Kent District Library, “Book In A Bag”.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 You will need to pick up your book the month 12:30 – 4:30 pm before the scheduled meeting at the Community Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Services Office. Call 863.6322 for info.

It’s All Free • No Reservations Required Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month 10:00 am - Rockford Community Services Hosted by: Joan Bogart. Keynote by WOTV’s Jennifer Feuerstein, 1:00 pm Jennifer Feuerstein is the WOTV 4 Encore Years expert, offering advice on all things of interest to those age 50+. She’s UPCOMING BOOKS a community organizer, activist, public speaker, and writer MAY 15 – River of Doubt on issues related to older adults and the encore years. She by Candace Millard currently is associate state director for AARP Michigan and she is a journalist for various publications including Faith Grand JUNE 19 – The Martian Rapids and West Michigan Woman magazines. by Andy Weir

Mercy Health Lectures, 1:30 pm - 4:15 pm JULY 17 – Sing, Unburied, Sing Professionals from Mercy Health will present three 30-minute by Jesmyn Ward presentations with 15 minutes for questions and answers. AUGUST 21 – Hidden Figures Brain Health – Music & Medicine, 1:30 pm by Margot Lee Shetterly Presented by Herman Sullivan, MD Neurologist, Medical Director of Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences and Mercy Health’s Multiple Sclerosis Program

Move It: Staying Active Safely As We Age, 2:30 pm Presented by Thomas Foster, MD Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Mercy Health Physician Partners, Ada

Considering a Hip or Knee Replacement?, 3:30 pm Presented by Ben Harper, MD Fellowship Trained Orthopedic Surgeon at Mercy Health Orthopedics & River Valley Orthopedics

Stay the Afternoon • Exhibitor booths and health screenings provided by local businesses and organizations

• Door prizes: $400 in gift cards from Forest Hills Foods and Fuel; $500 in VISA gift cards from Lake Michigan Credit Union; and $400 in gift cards from Design 1 Salon Spa.

• Healthy snacks are available in the Fine Arts Center Café

4 REGISTER NOW!

You are invited to join Rockford Community Services on our Annual Brown Bag Tour to Amish Country

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 Cost: $85.00 #5240-S19A

Travel by motorcoach to northern Indiana for the day! At each of our stops, we will receive a free gift to fill up our brown bags. We will visit a few of our favorite places, PLUS a few new ones. Be aware that some of the stops may only accept cash for purchases. Don’t wait, register now. This popular trip fills up quickly! Price includes dinner at an Amish home.

Call Rockford Community Services, 863.6322, to register! Motor Coach Transportation departs from Hush Puppies Shoe Store Parking Lot at 7:00 am – Approximate Return at 7:30 pm

Credit card payments are welcome – Visa, Discover or MasterCard. Make checks payable to Rockford Community Services and mail to Rockford Community Services, 350 N. Main Street, Rockford, MI 49341 Deadline to register: May 24, 2019, or when bus is full. 5 The Rockford Farmer’s Market

Opens the second Saturday in May and concludes the last Saturday in October

Saturdays 8:00 am–1:00 pm MAY 2019

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 28 29 30 1 2 3 4

Bingo Enhance Fitness Farmers Market Enhance Fitness Basics of Home & Auto Insurance Essential Oils

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Farmers Market

Social Security Planning

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Mother’s Day Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Meditation & Enhance Fitness Farmers Market Book Club Mindfulness Zentangle

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Farmers Market

Community Cabin College

26 27 28 29 30 31 1 Memorial Day Legal Assistance Enhance Fitness Social Security Enhance Fitness Farmers Market Closed Planning

6 A Dad is a person who is loving and kind, And often he knows what you have on your mind. He’s someone who listens, suggests, and defends. A dad can be one of your very best friends! He’s proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong, A dad can be patient and helpful and strong In all that you do, a dad’s love plays a part. There’s always a place for him deep in your heart. And each year that passes, you’re even more glad, More grateful and proud just to call him your dad! Thank you, Dad ... for listening and caring, for giving and sharing, but, especially, for just being you!

Happy Father’s Day

JUNE 2019

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY The 51st Annual 1 START OF SUMMER CELEBRATION Farmers Market June 14-16, 2019 Crafts, food, entertainment, carnival, & much more Parade at 11:00am June 15th

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Farmers Market

Bingo

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Summer Picnic Enhance Fitness Farmers Market

Advisory Council Start of Summer Start of Summer Mtg Celebration Celebration

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Father’s Day Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Brown Bag Trip Enhance Fitness Farmers Market

Book Club

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Enhance Fitness Legal Assistance Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness Farmers Market

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