2012 SeniorS’ Chat Itsy Bitsies by n Tempus fugit! (Latin for Time Flies) Do you all have the same problem as I have? Time’s flying faster than ever!! So many things to do and so little time!! It was 24 hours a day at the beginning. It still is 24 hours a day! Is it because we are slower in getting things done? If so, we are not alone! Whew! Googling yielded this statistical information: there are 36.3 million Americans over the age of 65. See: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/censusandstatistics/a/olderstats.htm Survey: Remember the survey you all took on March 7? Twenty-eight members filled out the survey (although 37 were present). Two responders did not fill out the second page. Now, we know how to better conduct a survey next time! Live and learn. Why have surveys, you may ask? Because in 1976, Reuben Altizer described Happy Hands as “a group meeting monthly for social activities and workshops.” We want to be sure we are on the right track. Summary of the results are as follows: 1. Eighty percent were satisfied with meeting dates and times. 2. Twenty-one percent liked having lectures. Thirty percent said no to lectures on Saturdays. Suggested workshops were: Sex after 70 and Investment. 3. There were varied responses to the different lecture topics, all favorable. 4. Newsletter is informative. Least liked items in the newsletter were: Recipes, Trivia and Word games. Higher on the list: Senior Chat, Humor and Itsy Bitsies. Leading the list: Sunshine News, Events Calendar. 5. Thirty-seven percent wanted day trips. Forty-six percent wanted to recruit more members and have more games. Day-trips (see #5 above): We are having Darlene Ewan of Deafapolis come on April 4 to talk about possibilities of designing day-trips for us. (Yes, she is the daughter of Sandy and Teddy Ewan-sister of Karl Ewan.) Do you have problems getting an interpreter for an appointment with a new doctor or professional (not in the HMO system)? I did and I know many others do! After election and short business meeting on May 2nd, Kalen Beck will give a presentation on “Using Interpreters in Medical Settings.” She is Program Manager at NVRC for Interpreting and Transliterating Services. (continued on page 6) PAGE 2 Happy Hands Luncheon April 4, 2012 at 11:00 AM Easter Celebration Lunch at NVRC: Ham — Nancy Rarus, Kenny Hynes, JoAnn & Jerry Pelarski, and Pat & Jim Beech Rotisserie Chicken — Joe Cohen and George Herberger Green Beans — Betty Yates and Jill Lensbower Carrot Salad — Annie Dickens Easter Contests: Fresh Vegetables Salad — Sharon Svenningsen Best Decorated Corn Pudding — Elaine Shaffer Bonnet/Basket Apple Kugel — Doreen Solar Best Decorated Tie/ Deviled Eggs — Carolyn Willis and Nancye Torbett Bow Ties Glorified Rice — Mary Malzkuhn Potato Salad — John Harper Scalloped Potatoes — Rose Otterman Rolls and Butter Spread — Norman Thompson Pickles and Olives — Dot Flood Lamb Cake — Jill Moebus Pumpkin Pie — Leo Yates What we need: Angel Food Cake Tossed Salad Salad Dishes Fresh Fruit Dishes After the Happy Hands luncheon on April Fresh Strawberries 4th, Darlene Ewan of Deafapolis will give a presentation about her travel company. If Bring Your Own Drink (BYOD) or buy Soda in the we want to travel with her, she will do a NVRC fridge. Coffee & Hot Tea will be provided. survey to find out where we want to go the most. For more information, please contact JoAnn Pelarski at: [email protected]. Deafapolis’ mission is to produce informative and entertaining tours based on Deaf heritage. Customized itineraries are tailored for individuals or groups. ASL is used on tours. For more info about Deafapolis, see: http://www.deafapolis.com PAGE 3 Cascades Seniors Luncheon April 11, 2012 at 11:00 AM Lunch at Cascades Senior Center: Be at Cascades by 11:00AM to order from the Corner Bakery menu. See: http://www.cornerbakerycafe.com/MenuNutrition.aspx Do not order until you are at the Cascades Center. Please have exact money ready for the person who will pick up orders. Bring Your Own Drink (BYOD). Coffee & Hot Tea will be provided. Announcements For information, contact: 1. VDDHH will not be merged with the other Elaine Shaffer, [email protected] agencies. A victory for the deaf in VA. Linda Whitworth, [email protected] 2. If you click on this link, you will find who is coming to DSA Baltimore 2013. http://www.dsa2013baltimore.org/search2 /search.php Photos from Cascades Luncheon on March 14 Photos provided by Beverly Young Sitting: Linda Whitworth, Mary Malzkuhn, and Robert Whitworth The Cascades group celebrates Linda’s birthday Standing: Jill Moebus, Kenny Hynes, Nancy Rarus, Bruce Franks, Karen Schleiferk, and Elaine Shaffer Linda & Robert Whitworth, and Beverly Young PAGE 4 Photos from Happy Hands Luncheon on March 7 Photos provided by NVRC and Donna Graff Joe Cohen and Carolyn Willis, Winners of “Who Wears The Most Green?” Winners of the 50/TBA Raffle Presentation on Disaster Prevention Rose Otterman, Carolyn Willis, Gary Viall and Donna Graff Nancye Torbett, and Elaine Shaffer EARLY BIRDS! Contestants for “Who Wears The Most Green?” Sitting: Jack & Rose Otterman, Pam Finnegan, and Dorothy Flood Sitting: Jerry Pelarski and John Harper Standing: Carolyn Willis, Doreen Solar, and Kenny Hynes Standing: Bruce Franks, Leo Yates, Bill Center, Joe Cohen, and Gary Viall Peggie Parsons with Wobet, Pam Finnegan, and Dora Ing Contestants for “Who Wears The Most Green?” Sitting: Thayer Dow, Jill Lensbower, Dorothy Flood, Mary Malzkuhn, and Mary Bagby Standing: JoAnn Pelarski, Sharon Svenningsen, Dora Ing, Carolyn Willis, Betty Yates, Jill Moebus, Elaine Shaffer, and Doreen Solar PAGE 5 In Memory of LeRoy Christian William LeRoy Christian (Age 85) of Ashburn, VA, beloved husband of Evelyn F. Christian, former president of Happy Hands, passed away March 21, 2012 at his home. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn F. Christian, son Dana L. Christian, daughter Cheri C. Hunter and grandchildren Erik Christian, Courtney McCusker, Matthew Christian, Allison Christian, Sean Hunter, David Christian, Kaitlyn Hunter and Evan Christian. He is also survived by two sisters, Polly Alder and Shirley Miller. The family received LeRoy’s friends and relatives for the visiting hour, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the service at 10 a.m. at Christian Fellowship Church Saturday, March 24. Over one hundred people were in attendance paying their last respect to LeRoy. A reception was held at the church immediately after the service provided by the family. LeRoy was buried in Harrisonburg, VA at Weaver Mennonite Church Cemetery after the service. Contributions may be made in his name to the Pat & Cheri Hunter, Eve Christian, Elpis Foundation (Pediatric Cancer) 778 N. Taney and Dana & Carolyn Christian St., Philadelphia, PA. 19130. Online donations can be made at: http://elpisfoundation.com/donate.html. Sympathies may be sent to Eve Christian, 21085 Cardinal Pond Ter. #302, Ashburn, VA 20147. Esther Schaeffer, a close friend of the Christian family, wants you all to know that LeRoy loved each of you and so appreciated your friendship and fellowship. LeRoy’s Golf Buddies PAGE 6 Itsy Bitsies by n (continued from page 1) Election: Up for Election are these following positions: 2 year terms: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, two Members-at-Large. See Carolyn Willis, chair of the Nominating Committee if you are interested in running for any of the above-mentioned positions. Description of roles and responsibilities will be emailed after the April meeting. Committee Chairs are appointed by the Chair. After election, see the Chair if you wish to volunteer to serve on any of the committees. Needed: The Treasurer needs two or three people to assist. The Activities Committee needs one person to coordinate games. It is people like you who have been making Happy Hands a happy group! NVRC Celebrate Communication on May 12 at 10AM-3PM George Mason University Center for the Arts 4400 University Drive Fairfax, VA Informational exhibits, technology demos, children’s activities, local resources, free hearing screenings, crafts, prizes, and more!!! PAGE 7 Checklist for Emergency Preparedness It is important to be prepared for possible disasters and other emergencies. Natural and human-caused disasters can strike at any time. Here is URL: http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Be_Red_Cross_Ready.pdf There are three actions everyone can take to be prepared: 1. Get a kit * Water — one gallon per person per day * Food — nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items * Flashlight * Battery-powered or hand-crank radio * Extra batteries * First Aid Kit * Medications (7-day supply) and medical items * Multi-purpose tool * Sanitation and personal hygiene items * Copies of personal documents * Cell phone with chargers * Family and emergency contact information * Extra cash * Emergency blanket * Map (s) of the area 2. Make a plan * Discuss with family or household members how to prepare and respond to emergencies. * Identify responsibilities for each member. * Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency. 3. Be informed * Learn what disaster or emergencies may occur in your area. * Prepare Emergency Contact cards for all household members. See: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/ECCard.pdf Thanks to: Ross Kidwell for years of maintaining the Happy Hands Memorial plaque name plates. The Sunshine Committee will take over this. PAGE 8 Happy Hands Events Games Crafts Happy Hands Woodbridge Luncheon Deaf Chat 11:00AM Crafts Games Cascades Deaf NVAD Leesburg ASL 11:00AM Fredericksburg Deaf Chat Deaf Chat Coffee Dinners Games Crafts MDSC Winchester Chat Submissions Fairfax Deaf Dinner for newsletter Crafts Games Fine Tuners Work on Fredericksburg ASL Meeting 12-3 Newsletter Deaf Chat Dinners For more information about the Crafts events, contact Donna Graff at [email protected].