It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we report the passing of Sandy Gold on Tuesday morning, March 1. Sandy was a friend and fierce champion of Skyline Village. She served on our Board for three years and co-edited the newsletter, which required tireless efforts to learn and incorporate new digital processes. She helped set up the website and directed lots of the "back office" functions. Sandy hosted many meetings in her home, including one of the very first coffee events to introduce Skyline to her friends and neighbors. We all loved, appreciated and admired Sandy and maybe the best expression of what we know about Sandy is shared by former board member, Katie Sowle...... SANDY GOLD-A Skyline Village Friendship Sandy was sitting on some stone steps near the curb in Sandburg Village, patiently waiting. With an easy smile, she said, "You must be Katie." "And you're Sandy," I replied. With our knitting bags, we weren't hard to identify. Conny Tozer promptly arrived and led us to her inviting home, where we met other Skyline knitters-the members of "Sticks and Strings." It was soon evident that Sandy, with her quiet good humor, was a sharing and generous woman who had a special style all her own. Like others, I used several of her patterns, especially after seeing her wear them. She kindly helped me negotiate the tricky parts. Her unique style shone, too, in her home when she entertained Sticks and Strings. Without violating our restrictions on service, she used innovative table settings, clever fruit carvings, and special Trader Joe's lo-cal potato chips to make us all eager to return to her hospitable coffees. Others can address Sandy's impressive professional life and her invaluable contributions to the workings of Skyline's publications. She cared about Skyline Village. I particularly recall her remarks at a Board of Director's meeting expressing concern that we maintain our ability to speak out on issues important to the aging. "We must have a voice," she said. To her many other talents I will not attempt to speak. I merely wish to share a side of Sandy I was privileged to enjoy as a Skyline friend. And that was something marked about her style. Be it her needle skills or her entertaining efforts, she used her style not to impress but to give. It was to show respect and gratitude to others. It was love. March-April 2016 NEWSLETTER CONTENTS Calendar of Upcoming Events Message from the President Announcements Skyline Village Events Skyline Social Groups Karen's Korner Skyline Partner Events New Members CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS Click on an event to see the details. Wednesday, March 2 Book Group 3 PM Friday, March 4 Friday Luncheon Forum 1 - 3 PM Monday, March 7 Dining Group, 5:30-7 PM Tuesday, March 8 Woman in Late Life: A Salon 3:30-5 PM Friday, March 11 Fun and Benefits of Zentangle, 3:30-5 PM Wednesday, March 30 SVC Board Mtg & Tour The Clare 3 -5 PM Sunday, April 3 Rosenwald and Beyond 1:30-3 PM Monday, April 4 Dining Group, 5:30 - 7 PM Wednesday, April 6 Book Group, 3:00 PM Wednesday, April 8 Fun and Benefits of Zentangle, 3:30-5 PM Tuesday, April 12 Women in Late Life A Salon 3:30-5 PM Skyline Village Partner Events - Various Times & Dates -Click for Details MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Did you know that Skyline Village Chicago is part of a movement of Villages across the country? The idea started around a kitchen table in Boston's Beacon Hill with a group of people who were determined to support each other's desire to stay at home for as long as possible. That required planning and foresight, not only of one's financial picture, but also anticipating the issues that arise as we grow old. I recently read Roz Chast's starkly insightful memoir, "Can't We Talk About Smething More PLEASANT?" I highly recommend it because it resonated with so much of what we at Skyline Village Chicago are doing to make it okay to talk about things that may be less pleasant, but are on our minds. SVC's Womens Salon has tackled issues of ageism, how we feel about it and how society views us. Our work with Dr. Lee Lindquist and her team at Northwestern to develop Plan Your Lifespan resulted in a tool we can all use to plan for the future, the pleasant - and the not so pleasant. So, with our Village, we are all in this together, networking at educational events, dinners, and lunches, exploring our city together, and volunteering for one another. We are part of a movement that is defining in a positive sense what it means to be old in the U.S. Phyllis Mitzen President, Board of Directors ANNOUNCEMENTS Two New Members Appointed to SVC Board We are pleaed to annouce that Ms. Regan Burke has been appointed to the SVC Board pf Directors. As part of her role on the Board, she will become Chair of the Events Committee, following Evelyn Shaevel's outstanding work with that committee. Regan, now retired, served as operations manager for the Cook County Clerk in 2012. She has spent her life in politics and government. Our second new Board member is William A. Caro, MD, Bill is a board-certified Dermatologist who received his medical degree from the Univeristy of Illinois College of Medicine; he completed his post-graduate work at Cook County Hospital. He has been a resident of the Gold Coast for many years. Leaving the Skyline Board after many years of dedicated service is Gay Roberts, She has served Skyline for 5 years as a loyal board member and then as treasurer. She will be missed, but she assures us she will help when a situation calls for her expertise. SVC March Board Meeting at The Clare Rush and Pearson Streets March 30, 3 - 5 PM SVC members are invited to attend the March 30 meeting of the SVC Board of Directors at The Clare, the high-rise retirement community at Rush & Pearson Streets and one of SVC's valued Community Partners. The Clare is unveiling its most recent renovations and has invited the Board and any SVC members in attendance to take part in a tour following the meeting. This past fall, The Clare began a three-phase project that included expansion and redesign of the lobby, the addition of a new kitchen and new finishes to the 53rd floor, and the creation of a 9th floor casual dining venue. "We are committed to creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for our residents," said Kyle Exline, executive director, "and this renovation is a testament to that vision." Our Sunday, April 3rd event, "Rosenwald and Beyond" also will be held at The Clare. The event is free for SVC members and residents of The Clare. For a description of this program, see the article in this newsletter (include link). For more information, about The Clare, visit www.theclare.com or call 312.784.8100. SOAR/Skyline Village Chicago Resource Directory A Guide to Everyday Services The SOAR/Skyline Village Chicago Resource Directory was distributed to Skyline Village Chicago members in January and February. The Directory provides local information for Streeterville, the Gold Coast, River North and Lakeshore East. In it you will find educational opportunities; fitness classes; grocers, hardware stores and pharmacies that deliver; transportation options (for example, how do I sign up for a Zip Car, for Lyft, or where do I go to get my bus pass); and walk-in health clinics. For SVC members, the Resource Directory is available at the SVC website. If you aren't an SVC member, or if you want additional copies, send requests to [email protected]. Get Skyline News and Resources! Sign Up for Events Online! We've heard from many of you that you're having trouble signing into the SVC website. According to our Website Consultants, only 50% of Skyline members have ever logged in and visited the SVC site. The advantages of logging in are that you are ensured member access to events and you are able to view Members Only information, such as the newly published Resource Directory. So, here are a few simple instructions to help you get connected: 1. Go to www.skylinevillagechicago.org. Look on the top right hand corner and click on the Member Login link. 2. DO NOT enter anything in the User name or Password fields yet 3. Click on the iForgot my Username/Password link located under the Login button 4.In the popup, enter your email address and first name. Click OK button 5. You will immediately receive an email with your username and a new, temporary password. 6. Go back to www.skylinevillagechicago.org. Click on member login. Type in your username and temporary password. You will be asked to provide a new, permanent password for yourself. You can also change your user name if you wish to. 7. Now, any time you want to log in on that computer you will need only to click on 'member login'. Neighbors Helping Neighbors Need help? Call Skyline's Volunteer Hotline Your volunteer neighbors are ready to take you to the doctor or dentist, assist in grocery shopping, get a library book from the Water Tower library or just visit with you in your home or hospital bed. SVC now has a full team of volunteers ready to help when you need us.