______Senior Spotlight July/August 2019

You’re Invited to the Senior Visitors Program Annual Summer Picnic

For Seniors, Volunteers and Friends of the Agency

July 18, 2019 6:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church 1300 Augustine Ave. Fredericksburg 22401

Please RSVP to (540) 371-2704 by July 12, 2018

Health and Safety

Look in this section of our newsletter each month for important health and safety tips and community health-related events or resources specifically for seniors!

This month’s safety message comes from the National Child Safety Council, Senior Safe brochure.

As the weather heats up this summer let’s all stay safe at home with these fire safety tips:

 The most important thing a person can do to ensure a home safe from fires is to install smoke alarms. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Never borrow the battery to use elsewhere!  Have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Smoke alarms for the hearing impaired or visually impaired are available.  Test your smoke alarms once a month.  Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year, when you reset the clocks for Daylight Savings Time or on a special holiday or birthday.  Know 2 ways out of every room in your home and make sure they’re accessible.  Always keep eyeglasses, a working flashlight, and emergency keys beside your bed.  In case of fire, leave. Never dial 9-1-1 from a burning building.  Don’t panic and try not to rush. You could fall.  If your clothing catches on fire – stop, drop, cover your face with your hands, and roll back and forth to put out the flames.  Never leave stovetop cooking unattended.  Use a timer as a reminder to turn off burners and the oven.  Keep stove surfaces free of clutter and built-up grease.  Have at least 1 charged and fully operational multi-purpose fire extinguisher in an accessible place. o Only fight a fire if: . Everyone is out . The fire is small and contained . It isn’t smoky . Behind you is a safe escape route . You know how to use an extinguisher

Our Stories You have probably heard the saying, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” This is certainly true of the many volunteers in our community. Volunteers are bridge builders. They close the gap between generations and cultures. They reach out to those in need and help them forge a better future. Volunteers are individuals making a collective impact. Since May was National Volunteer month, I decided to ask some of our volunteers who have over 500 service hours - why do you volunteer?

Barbara Stafford “My senior has become my friend. My favorite memory of volunteering is laughing like crazed oldies at Kentucky Fried Chicken – but I think you had to be there, though.”

Niki Howell “A favorite memory of my volunteer experience is probably the day my “senior” told me she loved me. I guess I wasn’t ready for that! I volunteer because I feel seniors are very overlooked and need extra help and attention.”

Laura Pryce “Giving back is very important to me, but sometimes I am blessed more by what my senior does for me. She always has a positive spin on a problem she may have. I am humbled and leave her house with a smile knowing my personal issues are a piece of cake.”

Richard Compton “I have visited many seniors over the years. Most have passed away now. I especially enjoyed visiting World War II vets. Two veterans I visited were in Pearl Harbor during the war. Another veteran was at the Battle of the Bulge. His birthday was on Veteran’s Day. He once got to throw out the first pitch at a Yankees’ exhibition game. Their stories are important. Another client I had played the violin. I would bring my guitar to visit her and we would play together for other residents. This always made everyone happy.”

Maria Cofer “Volunteering is important to me in memory of my mother. I was not in the same country when she would have needed the program. Now I am giving back. I also love people.”

Steve Flanagan “Volunteering allows me to feel connected to the world. My daughter is my only blood relative. So, prior to my marriage seven years ago, I really didn’t have a strong connection outside of work. Volunteering fills me with happiness. It really is a selfish endeavor.”

Pat Quinn “I have volunteered with Senior Visitors for the past 17 years because it makes a positive difference not only in the life of the seniors I spend time with, it also fulfills a purpose in my life. It’s an opportunity to fill a void in a senior’s day and allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Fun And Games Classic Toys Find and circle all of the toys that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell a quote by G. K. Chesterton.

BALLOON HOT WHEELS PLAY-DOH SPIROGRAPH BARBIE JACKS PLAYMOBIL SUPER BALL BEACH BALL KALEIDOSCOPE POGO STICK TEDDY BEAR BOP BAG KAZOO POKEY TINKERTOY CAP GUN KEN POP GUN TIN SOLDIERS CHATTY CATHY LEGO RADIO FLYER TONKA TRUCK EASY BAKE OVEN LITE BRITE RUBIK'S CUBE VIEWMASTER ETCH A SKETCH LITTLE PEOPLE SILLY PUTTY WATER PISTOL FINGER PAINT MATCHBOX CAR SIZZLERS WEEBLES FLATSY DOLL MECCANO SKIPPING ROPE WIFFLE BALL FRISBEE MR POTATO HEAD SLINKY WIZZZER G.I. JOE NERF BALL SOCK MONKEY YO-YO GUMBY PADDLE BALL SOMA CUBE GYROSCOPE

Did you enjoy this puzzle? Visit: https://www.puzzles.ca/word-search

Copyright © 2018 Puzzles.ca

Memorial and Special Occasion Gifts allow you to honor or remember a loved one, a friend, a relative or a special occasion. Your tax deductible gift will be used to provide free, supportive services to older adults in our community that can help them remain in their own homes. Please complete the following information: This gift is given to honor, OR in memory of:______

Send acknowledgement/tax deductible receipt to:

Name ______

Street ______

City ______State ______Zip ______

Please make checks payable to MHAF-Senior Visitors Program

Mail to: 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

Free Events You and Your Volunteer May Enjoy: Music on the Steps - At the Fredericksburg Branch, Mondays, June, July, & August, from 7:00-8:00, except July 1. Come out all summer long for great music. Lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics welcome. In the case of inclement weather, the concerts move into the theater. A variety of music can be enjoyed each week. Visit their website (www.librarypoint.org) for a list of specific performers or call (540) 372- 1144. 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters Branch, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. FREE

Fourth of July at Ferry Farm - Celebrate Independence Day at George Washington’s boyhood home! Tour the Washington house, learn about archaeology at Ferry Farm, enjoy a patriotic flag retirement ceremony, interact with colonial and Civil War reenactors as well as members of the Patawomeck tribe, listen to festive music, view living history demonstrations and theatre performances, and participate in educational programs, crafts, games, and hands-on activities for the whole family. Shuttles run between the Eagles Lodge, Ferry Farm, and Downtown Fredericksburg. Eagles Lodge – 21, Cool Springs Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. (Handicap parking available at Ferry Farm.), $1.00 admission.

Performance by ENDURING FREEDOM HONOR TEAM - Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Join us on the steps of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop as we celebrate our independence. There will be a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:00pm and again at 3:00pm. This event is free and open to the public.

July 4th Spectacular – John Lee Pratt Memorial Park opens 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. with children’s activities, backyard games, face painting and food vendor truck on site. 9:30 p.m. FIREWORKS

View Fireworks from Pratt Park or Old Mill Park: Fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. *Bring lawn chairs *No tents allowed in concert area *No alcoholic beverages *No sparklers *No grills *Dogs must be on leashes

Check out your local Parks and Recreation Department for more special events and fun activities planned specifically for Seniors:

Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation – Call (540)372-1086 for information or visit their website at www.fredericksburgva.gov .

Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation - The Senior Center is located in the Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road. For more information call Parks and Recreation at (540) 507-7533 or call the Senior Center directly at (540) 507-7564.

Stafford Parks and Recreation – Call (540) 658-4871 for information or visit their website at www.staffordparks.com . July/August 2019 Birthdays Lessie R – 7/1 Priscilla K – 8/1 Normita H – 7/3 Irene G – 8/3 Frank T - 7/7 Neal W – 8/10 Grace D – 7/9 Jane C – 8/11 Darnell C – 7/13 Bonita A – 8/17 Rebecca J – 7/17 Barbara R – 8/23 Florence V – 7/23 Mary E – 8/24 Carol F – 7/25 Joyce T – 8/26 May Jane T – 7/26 Mary L – 7/26

If we missed your birthday, please let us know at (540) 371-2704.

“That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up.” -Walt Disney

The hidden message is: WHAT WAS WONDERFUL ABOUT CHILDHOOD IS THAT ANYTHING IN IT WAS A WONDER. Free information for older adults, caregivers, people with disabilities, Veterans, and their families. Find resources in your community: health services, transportation, housing, financial and legal information, exercise programs, support groups and more!

www.VirginiaNavigator.org www.SeniorNavigator.org or call (804) 525-7728 or toll free 1 (866) 393-0957

Senior Spotlight Senior Visitors Program Mental Health America of Fredericksburg 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 [email protected] 540-371-2704