The Spirit of the 60'S
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October 2015 • Vol. 15 • Issue 10 • www.BerksEncore.org For information on advertising in berksencore news please contact 610-374-3195, ext. 227. Inside This Issue... BERKS ENCORE REMEMBERS: Agency Happenings ....pgs 3 ~ 5 Anniversaries ....................pg 26 The Spirit of the 60’s Berks Encore Programs ......pg 16 Board Spotlight .................. pg 8 “Join us for a great cause… a center for senior citizens…it’s like helping yourself” Center News ..............pgs 17, 20 Today, Berks Encore’s six centers are Combat Veteran Remembers ..pg 26 able to serve a broad portion of the Discount Program ............... pg 7 county, reaching thousands of seniors. Editorial .............................. pg 2 But in the early years of the Berks Law and Order ........ pgs 10 & 11 County Senior Citizens Council, a On-Going Activities .. pgs 18 & 19 permanent place to call come was not Your Community ....pgs 22 ~ 31 a reality. Headquartered fi rst in the Your Health ............pgs 12 ~ 14 basement of the Berkshire Hotel in Your Sports ........................pg 21 Reading and later in a larger hotel on Penn Street, the agency and its in- creasing membership base were quickly Volunteer Spotlight ............pg 9 outgrowing all available facilities. The lack of adequate space limited the agency’s programming and services for the county’s elderly population. By 1969, the county’s senior popula- tion was estimated at 33,000 people. About 2,200 seniors from 42 organized groups were members of BCSC. The members of BCSC were active in arts Large features in the Reading Eagle documented both honored seniors and crafts, entertainment, and a vari- United Way as well as the event’s activities. ety of other activities, but were now of Berks County ................pg 12 fl ourishing in the realm of senior ser- vices. Services like Meals on Wheels had begun that year, and programs like the “Ring- town Reading. A-Day” daily phone check-in program were already But the cost of building such a center was daunt- staples of the organization. A group of such activity ing, and the agency would need to raise $400,000 and aims was in need of a bigger, permanent senior in order to receive a matching grant. This was no center in the city of Reading. The center would be small fundraising task, especially for an organiza- the fi rst of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania. tion that was relatively new. The agency conser- Plans were drawn up in 1969, documenting the vatively predicted the center would open within various rooms of a space on 9th Street between a decade, and set to work on a variety of events Cameron Martin ..............pg 22 Court and Washington Streets: a medical clinic to and fundraising drives to help the center become assist seniors on housing, health, legal, and fi nan- a reality. The agency’s Christmas Bazaar became a cial problems; recreational facilities that include staple of the agency’s programming, with its active a reading and music library; a complete kitchen; arts and crafts group leading the way. Membership craft, hobby, and art rooms; and a large multipur- drives, bake sales, and other events chipped away pose room to be used for special programs and at the cost of the center. Appeals fl ew out the door, social gatherings. The location was park-like and and local media championed the BCSC’s goals: convenient to the public transportation, elderly “All of Berks County Will Benefi t from the New housing, churches, and shopping boasted by down- continued on page 6 2 From the desk of . LUANN OATMAN EDITORIAL Dear Reader — The cooler October temperatures are a reminder that we’re now nearing the last months of 2015, and along with that, our 50th year. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic and thought I’d share some of my favorite archive fi nds here at Berks Encore—all the ways in which seniors made news in the early days of our agency. Peppered throughout our archives are an amazing collection of news clippings— pictures, articles, ads—that refl ect the tireless LuAnn Oatman, President work and amazing energy of the county’s seniors. From headlines like “Senior Citizens Unit to Organize” to “New Club Planned for Senior Citizens” to “Senior Citizens Plan Fundraising Bazaar,” I again am reminded how lucky our agency and our community is that we have such motivated older adults. Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s, the local media carefully documented the feverish activity of seniors organizing, being educated and entertained, and helping others. I love this image from 1965, which shows Mrs. Mary Denman enthusiastically addressing her fellow seniors and a County Commissioner regarding the need for seniors to be supported and protected. This advocacy was central to the formation of our agency, and demonstrates how hard seniors of the 1960s worked to make agencies like the Senior Citizens Council a reality. By 1968, the Senior Citizens Council was a reality, and a center was already providing a place for seniors to have fun, make friends, and stay active. A choice quote from Mrs. Miriam M. Stein—“I wish I could get everybody to become senior”—makes me smile. How amazing Mrs. Stein echoed a tagline that would come nearly 40 years later—“Applauding Life After 50.” Readers, please continue to make your voice heard. Your enthusiasm and energy make our agency great! We always strive to match your efforts and energy as we march onward. Sincerely, LuAnn Oatman, President/CEO OUR MISSION berksencore news is published monthly by berksencore 40 N. 9th Street, Reading, PA 19601 • Phone 610-374-3195 Chairperson, Board of Directors Carl W. Staples President LuAnn Oatman Editor Sarah Hunter-Lascoskie 2015 2014 Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Outstanding Media Recognition Award Recipient OBER OBER Printed by the Reading Eagle Company The mission of berksencore is to engage the community berksencore news Advertising Policy: to enable older adults to news • OCT 1. All ads submitted to berksencore news for publication will be reviewed by staff for suitability. If there is a question concerning the content of any achieve a better quality of life proposed advertisement, berksencore marketing person will contact the advertiser to see if any adjustments can be made. by providing a comprehensive program of services, referrals, 2. berksencore reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed inappropriate for berksencore news. encore education and advocacy. 3. The publication of any advertisement in berksencore news does not imply endorsement of that product, service or company/organization supplying their product/service by berksencore. berks Senior Expo Preview! 3 AGENCY HAPPENINGS AGENCY Senior Expo takes place on Tuesday, October 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Body Zone. This year’s Senior Expo highlights include: • Food court catered by Willoughby’s and Dairy Queen • Healthy cooking demonstrations by Meredith McGrath, RD, LDN – Corporate Dietitian, Redner’s Warehouse Markets • Flu shots from 9 a.m. to noon provided by Berks Visiting Nurse Association (BVNA) • “Changes to Medicare 2016” and “Welcome to Medicare” presentations by Berks Encore APPRISE staff • Medicare Open Enrollment counseling • Health screenings sponsored by Reading Health System • Live WEEU broadcasts until noon. Stop by and meet WEEU personalities! • Special entertainment sponsored by White Star Tours • Ice skating demonstrations provided by Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex • Presentation by Caron Foundation on new Senior Programs More than 130 vendors are anticipated to be available to demonstrate and discuss their products and services. Free, offsite parking and shuttle service are available at the VF Outlet park- ing lot behind Willoughby’s on Park Road, Wyomissing. To view a complete list of current vendors and sponsors, visit our website at www.BerksEncore.org. Would you like to volunteer? Berks Encore is looking for vol- Don’t Let Cataracts unteers to assist with the event. For more information about the event or on how to volunteer, please call (610) 374-3195, x223. Cloud Your Vision Submit Your Entries for Berks If you are experiencing cloudy vision, night Encore’s Senior Poetry Contest glare or difficulty reading, you may have In partnership with the Reading Public Library, Berks Encore cataracts. Dr. /FJMChesen combines the is now accepting entries for its annual Senior Poetry Contest. latest advancements in cataract surgery with Poems, not to exceed 17 lines, may be on any subject and in any style. All entries must be received in our offi ce by November 18. multi-focal and astigmatism correcting Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. implants. Now is a perfect time to meet with Winners will be announced and awards presented at Berks Dr. Chesen and learn about your cataract Encore - Reading at a date to be announced. All poets and their guests are invited to attend. Please mail or bring your poem to: options. Call Chesen Laser Eye Center Berks Encore, Attn: Senior Poetry Contest , 40 N. 9th Street, today at 610-372-2222 to schedule your Reading, PA 19601. cataractexamination. BERKS ENCORE SANDWICH SALE berks Only $6.00 ea. I TALIAN or HAM & CHEESE encore ORDER & PAY by October 5 by 4:00 PM PICK UP YOUR SANDWICHES On Wednesday, October 7 at 11:00 AM news • OCT 40 N. 9th Street, Reading, PA Italians include: Ham & Cheese include: 301 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA 19611 Cooked Salami, Hard Salami, Ham, Provolone Cheese, OBER Capicola, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Mayo 610-372-2222 • www.cheseneyes.com Tomato, Onion, Oil, & Oregano 2015 (peppers on request) 4 BERKS ENCORE’S OPEN HOUSE: Opening Doors to New Opportunities Berks Encore’s Annual Open House on September 2 saw event, Berks Encore centers are always “open”: centers are open hundreds of older Berks Countians enter the doors of our six on weekdays, there is no membership fee to attend, and many countywide centers.