Senior Circle Senior Lifelong, Enhancing the Second Half Second the Enhancing Lifelong, CHANGE SERVICEREQUESTED CHANGE Jones, Carl Judd, Anne Kellerman, Th 119 W
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 15 No. 2 • May 2011 www.tclifelong.org A circle is a group of people in which everyone has a front seat. SENIOR FOCUS Margaret Solomon Shalaby Sustained by Family and World Travels By Katrina Schickel 1900. “My grandfather lived in a “We were a close com- Imagine for a moment. The year mud hut in a village in Syria. He munity. Most of the people is 1953. You are a young, single fe- came to this country in 1900 and here at Myers Heights were male traveling to Syria via cargo subsequently to Lansing to work my relatives. I had three boat….from Myers Heights in for the International Salt Co. He aunts and uncles and two Lansing, New York. This is a story never wanted to go back to Syria sets of grandparents that all of a young woman whose curiosity, because he loved his life here in lived here on this little hard work and love of family took Lansing.” street, although at that time her to countries that spanned the The International Salt Company there wasn’t a street – there globe, where she learned about her hired many people from that part of was grass between the own heritage as well as that of her the world and ultimately built houses. I recall there was a husband. She experienced life in homes for them at Myers Heights. wonderful Hungarian fami- cultures far different from her own. Margaret still lives in the house ly on the corner and they Margaret Solomon Shalaby is where she grew up. This is a beau- had a big metal vat where indeed, a woman of substance. She tiful home with many windows and they would cook donuts exudes a warmth and directness light that fills the space. Pictures outside for everyone. It was Margaret Solomon Shalaby that beckons you to take a seat, lis- of family and artifacts from her a great place to grow up. If tenSenior and be both inspired and trans- travels lineCircle the walls and surfaces. you didn’t like what you were hav- Syria and she vowed that one day ported. Perhaps the magnificent view of ing for dinner that night, you could she would go to Syria to see for Her story begins with family. Cayuga Lake recalls her excur- just go next door and see if you herself. Family is at the root of her curiosi- sions around the world. I loved would fare any better!” The dreams of this young girl ty and it is also what sustains her hearing her tell me about what life Margaret remembers hearing were nurtured by her family and by throughout her travels. Margaret’s was like when she was growing up stories from her grandfather about her education which provided her grandfather came to this country in in this unique location. the villages and the countryside in continued on page 10 to thank United Way of Tompkins for their second terms: Nancy County and many friends who do- Leeming, Thomas Rohrer, Dan Thanks to RSVP Volunteers nate to Lifelong in support of this Sisler, and Phil Winn. Nominated Lifelong’s Tax Counseling for about these tax preparers is that program. We’d also like to thank to their first term are Joy Blumkin, the Elderly Program completed its they do it all as volunteers through our partners: Challenge Industries, Carol Eichler, Mary Ann Erickson 33rd season this April, preparing the Retired and Senior Volunteer Lansing Community Library, and and Amy Rebera. over 600 tax returns for local fami- Program (RSVP). Ulysses Philomathic Library. For lies in less than three months. IRS- Lifelong and RSVP would like more information about this pro- certified tax preparers study cur- to thank the many generous volun- gram or to volunteer, call RSVP at Did You Know That rent tax law, prepare simple tax re- teers who scheduled appointments, 273-1511. turns for free, e-file for faster re- coordinated tax sites, and prepared Lifelong Travels? funds, and work with clients to an- taxes this year: Travel with friends while travel- swer questions as they go. They Bob Anderson, Sarla Aneja, Lifelong’s 59th ing all over! Lifelong is planning a even make house calls to assist Sandy Baxter, Dorothy Buerk, Alta variety of intriguing trips for the homebound individuals with their Bullivant, Suzanne Bury, Joyce Annual Meeting on 2011 calendar. taxes. But what’s most amazing Cox, Tanya Garger, Pris Glenn, th Take in a performance of Car- Jane Hammond, Ron Havard, Jane May 19 men at the Glimmerglass Opera, an American Ballet Theatre perform- Senior Circle Lifelong, Enhancing the Second Half CHANGE SERVICE CHANGE REQUESTED SERVICE Jones, Carl Judd, Anne Kellerman, th 119 W. Court St. 14850 119 • W. Ithaca, N.Y. Lifelong will hold its 59 An- Ian Langsner, Bruce Layton, ance of Swan Lake at the Metro- nual Meeting on Thursday, May politan Opera House in Lincoln Howard London, Judith Meade, 19, 2011, at Noon at the Ramada Center, New York City or the Run- Barbara Melvin, Paul O’dell, Anna Inn. Please make your reservation ning to Places Theater Company’s Raphaelidis, John Rawlins, Nancy by calling Lifelong at 273-1511 no performance of Spring Showcase Richards, Joseph Rosenblum, later than May 12 for $15 per per- at our own Hangar Theatre and Carmela Savarese, Lynda Skibit- son in advance or $18 at the door. much more. sky, Carol Uber, Ann Van de Mark, This year’s keynote speaker will To find a full listing of trips and Jack Van Derzee, Janet Volpicelli, be Scott Callan from the History updated travel calendar check us Lyle Wadell, Jean Walters, Virginia Center, who will speak on “The out online at www.tclifelong.org or stop in at Lifelong, 119 W. Court Waters and Jane Zimmer. Life and Letters of Private John St. Ithaca, NY. As a result of this service, Tidd: the Civil War through a Local clients experience less stress about Soldier’s Eyes” taxes and are more confident that At the meeting we will be INSIDE THIS ISSUE their taxes are filed correctly. Many thanking Sarla Aneja and Cathe clients avoid the cost of a paid tax Gordon, who have both served on • Caregivers’ Corner preparer, which can range from the board for the past six years. • Special Senior Services $50 to $500 per year. As of March Sarla has served as Treasurer and • SAGE Caregiving Ithaca, Ithaca, NY 14850 31, the tax program helped bring a Permit Permit No. 375 Organization Cathe has served as Secretary. Non-Profit • Radio Show Ends PAID net $256,000 in federal refunds to The Nominating Committee Tompkins County. will nominate four board members • Senior Bowling League Lifelong and RSVP would like to continue to serve on the board • Spring Walks page 2 Senior Circle • May 2011 Cornell Cooperative Extension with ries, diverse experiences, and Free Help Available to Local Forest Owners cooperation from NYS DEC’s Divi- wealth of knowledge have made sion of Land and Forest. our culture, economy, and local objectives and find the assistance For more information about the character what they are today. The needed, the NY Master Forest program’s benefits and opportuni- theme also highlights the many Owner Program was established in ties, contact Gary Goff, Cornell Co- ways technology is helping older 1991. Since then, over 400 volun- operative Extension, 104 Fernow Americans live longer, healthier teers have been trained through Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3001, call and more engaged lives. Cornell Cooperative Extension. him at 607-255-2824,or e-mail him In fact, older Americans are more These volunteers have collectively at [email protected]. visited over 1,200 forest owners active in community life than ever If you have forest want to sched- throughout the state. Currently, before, thanks in part to advances in ule a visit by a Master Forest Own- there are over 200 active volunteers health care, education, technology, er Program volunteer, call Cornell across the state ready to provide en- and financial stability over the last Cooperative Extension of Tomp- couragement and information to several decades that have greatly kins County at 607-272-2292. their forest owning neighbors. increased their vitality and standard Call Cornell Cooperative Exten- of living. Older adults are out and sion of Tompkins County at 272- May Is 2011 Older about giving back and making a dif- 2292 to ask about the Master Forest ference in their community. Owner Program. You may arrange Americans Month: Our seniors are mentoring the Woodlands are a valuable re- to have a free, no-obligation visit to leaders of tomorrow, taking to heart source in New York State. Over 13 your woodlot from a volunteer to Older Americans Connecting the need for intergenerational learn- million acres of woodland in NY discuss your management concerns. ing to guide and inspire young State are privately owned by fami- the Community minds. They offer a take on times The MFO volunteer will not give Every May since 1963, people in lies. Individuals 55 years old and you advice or a solution. The MFO gone by not discussed in any histo- towns and cities across the country older own 66% of NYS woodlands volunteer will ask you questions, ry class—a unique perspective that have come together to celebrate the of 10 acres or more. Are you one of walk your woodland with you, and sheds new light on contemporary enormous contributions of older those people who own forest land? offer you resources that can help issues. At this point in your life, are you you to plan and make important de- Americans—borne of wisdom, ex- Older Americans step up to help wondering what to do with your cisions.