Thanks-for-Giving Social

Cheryl Batterman

Last night was another memorable event at the office… our traditional Thanks-for-Giving Social was held in the beautiful Warner Park Community Recreation Center. It’s one of my favorite programs of the year—an opportunity to say thanks to our awesome volunteers while also wishing them a happy holiday season. Over 60 volunteers enjoyed delicious hot appetizers and coffee, cold apple cider, veggies n’ dip, “Thanks-A-Lot” Girl Scout cookies, and a beautifully decorated spice cake. They were also entertained by the Gilda’s Club Show Choir—a new touch to this year’s event. This is just one way the NESCO staff recognizes our deeply appreciated volunteers! (To view more pictures of the event, see our website.)

2009 NESCO Team

I love humor…

I love humor… in most forms. I especially love laughing at myself. I can trip over a penny and laugh at my clumsiness for hours. What else is there to do—lament over my inability to pick up my feet or recognize I can and will be awkward. I refuse to be surrounded by negativity… in any form. My mantra has always been “Life is short—make it count!”

I recently attended the Wisconsin Association of Senior Center’s Annual Fall Conference; the theme this year was “Explore–Empower–Engage.” It was two days of networking with colleagues from throughout the state, with workshops and training sessions. During my drive home, it occurred to me how different this year’s conference was compared to last year’s “Baby Boomers” theme. This year’s hallway conversations centered on funding challenges… in every shape and size. Many senior center directors have already cut their budgets to the nubs and are deeply concerned what will need to be slashed to meet next year’s budget. Rather than looking for positive ways to improve their programs and services, their energy is being drained by writing analytical reports to their funders justifying the center’s existence.

Perhaps that’s why the conference organizers focused two major sessions on humor—that’s right, laughter. Both keynote speakers valiantly attempted to brush off the doom and gloom waiting each senior center director by reminding us all how powerful humor is to our jobs and lives. Amid the jokes and gags used during their presentations, were inspiring concepts; “Characteristics of a Great Leader” is just one example:

Willingness to take risks

• Passionate about your job
• A deep sense of empathy for human beings
• Can motivate and inspire
• Understands the importance of humor in work and life

With this renewed energy, I vow to GOMO (Get Over it & Move On) and be positive as we resolve our budget challenges. Life is short—so I’ll be wearing a clown nose while balancing the columns and searching for humorous cracks in my life. Like me constantly tripping over those darn pennies… wishing they were silver dollars!

Betty Lou Cruisin’

Boarding the Betty Lou

On Friday, June 25, we boarded the Betty Lou and hit Lake Monona for an afternoon of great weather, delicious lunch, and fantastic views of the Madison skyline. This was one of the various trips that we offer each year for senior adults – if you’re interested in learning about other travel opportunities, contact NESCO at (608) 243-5252 or info@nescoinc.org. To view more photos from the Betty Lou Cruise, click here: http://nescoinc.org/Betty%20Lou%20Cruise%202009/index.html

View of Madison from Lake Monona

Blog revived! Summer Concerts in full swing.

It’s been a while since this blog has been updated, but we’re dusting it off and getting it ready for Round Two, just in time for our summer programs. Check back regularly for new content, concerning NESCO programs, services, and events, as well as topics relevent to senior adults!

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Summer Concerts are back! We’ve already enjoyed the sounds of The Midwesterners, and we’ve got a great lineup of bands still to come. If you can think of a better way to enjoy a summer evening than sitting in a beautiful park, snacking on a bratwurst and rootbeer float, and enjoying some great FREE music, we’d love to hear it. As it is, we think the Summer Concerts at Warner Park are the best deal in town! So come check it out:

22 June – Ladies Must Swing (Swing)

29 June – Waunakee Community Band (Patriotic)

13 July – Davis Family Band (R&B)

20 July – Grupo Candela (Merenga & Salsa)

27 July – North Country Drifters (Waltzes & Polkas)

All concerts are Monday evenings at 6pm (except June 29 concert, at 6:30pm) at the Warner Park shelter. 1625 Northport Drive, Madison, WI 53704. Transportation is available for seniors, call 243-5252 to arrange ride.

The Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Alliant Energy Foundation, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from the Overture Foundation and Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, M&I Bank, Madison Arts Commission and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, Madison Mallards, Target, and Dennis Tiziani.

Medicare and Diabetes

Cortney

Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes know that it is not always easy to figure out what parts of Medicare are covering their diabetic supplies and prescriptions related to treatment of diabetes. Medicare beneficiaries who are receiving prescription drug coverage through enrollment in a Medicare Part D plan or through enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage will have their insulin and supplies related to the injection of insulin covered by their Medicare prescription drug coverage. Supplies related to injection of insulin include:

• Syringes;

• Needles;

• Alcohol swabs;

• and gauze.

In contrast, testing supplies like lancets and test strips continue to be covered under Medicare Part B for those with Original Medicare or through the Part B benefits included as part of a Medicare Advantage plan for those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

For Medicare beneficiaries who receive prescription drug coverage through Wisconsin SeniorCare, SeniorCare covers some insulin and Medicare Part B covers testing supplies. SeniorCare does not provide coverage for syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, and gauze.

Medicare beneficiaries who receive prescription or supplemental health insurance benefits through employment, retiree health coverage, or other sources should consult with the administrators of those plans to determine benefits related to coverage of diabetic treatment and testing supplies.

If you have questions about Medicare coverage of your diabetic prescriptions or testing supplies, contact the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups at (608) 224-0606 and ask to speak with a Dane County Elderly Benefit Specialist.

Golden Times Advertising

Drew

Do you have a business that people need to know about? Can you provide seniors with information that they have to have? Would you like to get the word out on the North side of Madison? If so, you might be interested in advertising in our monthly Golden Times newsletter.

Every month, our company creates a newsletter for senior citizens called the Golden Times. It highlights educational and social programs, services, and resources available for senior adults and their families. Complimentary copies are mailed to Coalition members and local businesses and distributed throughout the community. Our newsletter is also posted on our website so that it can reach more people. Many different companies have advertised in our newsletter. Whether you have a repair business, health business, or hair style business, any company is welcome to advertise with us.

Reach over 30,000 Madison households and businesses each year while supporting the North/Eastside Senior Coalition. Here are the rates and policies for ads in the Golden Times:

Ad Size |  Dimension |  Rates
Business Card (horizontal) |  3½” X 2¼” |  $30
Quarter Page |  3½” X 4¾” | $50
Half Page (vertical) | 3½” X 10” | $95
Half Page (horizontal) | 7½” X 4¾” | $95
Full Page | 7½” X 10” | $170

Deadlines: Due by the 2nd of the previous month.

Copy: Must be camera ready, e-mailed, or provided on a disk.

Payment: Due by the 25th of the month following publication; invoices are mailed for your convenience.

If you wish to put an ad in our newsletter, please contact Drew Simonsen at (608) 243-5252 or dsimonsen@nescoinc.org.

Carta de una persona de la tercera edad para el Programa Latino de la North/Eastside Senior Coalition.

Yolanda

Hola señora Yolanda. Esta carta es para despedirme pues no quiero decirles Adios a mis amigas del Grupo, ya que me siento muy triste de irme, pero estoy enferma y el clima de Madison es terrible para mi y mis enfermedades. Quiero que les diga a mis compañeras que las quiero y que han sido una gran compañía para mi cuando me he sentido sola y el poder llamarles por teléfono o compartir las actividades de nuestro grupo me ayudaron mucho. Gracias por su programa por que pude conocer tantas buenas personas. Por favor dígale a las personas que trabajan en su agencia que les doy las gracias por ayudarnos y especialmente a usted quien con su entusiasmo siempre estuvo para mi en cada momento en que necesité, para ayudarme y apoyarme. También quiero darle las gracias a Aaron y a Rachel por todo lo que hicieron por mi. Sin ustedes no hubiera podido sobrevivir todos estos años. Yo siempre la voy a recordar con cariño al igual que a mis amigas. Las llevo en mi corazón. Espero que su oficina siga con este programa para que puedan ayudar a personas que como yo necesitan tanta ayuda.

Hasta luego y que Dios la bendiga.

On Her Plate – an art show to benefit seniors!

On Her Plate:
The Artwork of Carolyn Gaska

6-19 March 2009
Opening Reception: Friday, 6 March, 7-10pm
Project Lodge Gallery (817 E. Johnson Street, Madison WI)

Artist and crafts person Carolyn Gaska’s life’s work was kept mostly in storage, until now. The body of work amassed by her efforts is large, and has until now been shared modestly with individuals in the senior community. After her death in 2005, her husband John Gaska was unsure exactly how to disseminate her work to those who would appreciate it. “Her work has touched people and I hope it will continue to do so,” said John.

For the first time Carolyn’s entire body of work will be shown, at the Project Lodge gallery. Using commonplace materials such as plastic plates, gloss acrylic medium, quilt batting, and magazine images, Gaska created a unique art form and spent much of her adult life executing its production with absolute care and dedication. Those born after 1950 have come to know a highly disposable culture, built on consuming, outgrowing, and discarding. Members of the Great Generation operate under a different mindset altogether: quite simply, materials are valued. This is clearly exemplified in the artwork of Carolyn Gaska, and a value that in today’s economic times, we can all learn from.

The opening is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Donations will be accepted to cover the cost of space and for the North/Eastside Senior Coalition.

Over 60 Books have arrived!

Amy

It’s that wonderful time of year again when the Over 60 books are hot off the presses. These books are provided free of charge by Dean and St. Mary’s and provides information about senior adult resources in Dane County. Copies of the book can be picked up at our office at: North/Eastside Senior Coalition, 1625 Northport Drive #125, the other senior focal points in Dane County, or the Madison libraries. It can also be found on the website of the Area Agency on Aging of Dane County http://www.co.dane.wi.us/aging/over_60_book.shtml

Black History Month Matters

Pam

Americans have recognized the observance of Black History since 1926, when it was called Negro History Week. This celebration came about to bring awareness to the world that African Americans have done some amazing things, and everyone should know about it. Think about the election of 2008, how great that story will be thirty years down the line, and will there be another African American president in that time? I sure hope so. Dr. Carter G. Woodson stands proud in the heavens, for he was the one who put forth the effort to see that all knew about the history of black America, and blacks all over the world. Today it is called Black History Month, and has been a month long celebration since 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration.

Continue to learn about your family history, and the history of African Americans at www.aawc.com/paa.html or visit your local library.

We still have two groups going every month. One is the Diabetic Support Group that meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 2-4pm at Romnes Apartment, 540 W. Olin Ave. in the downstairs community room. And the Discussion Group meets at Quaker Housing, 2025 Taft St. (ring kitchen bell ) from 2-4pm, in the dining area. Topics vary each month for both groups, so watch for my bi-monthly newsletters or call me, Pam Bracey at 243-5252 ext 207.