GCCOA - June/July Insights - Keeping Engaged and Connected

It has been quite a spring and summer is shaping up to be a busy one!

Tomorrow is our annual Yard Sale, 9-4. We had more items donated than ever before, because of some serious downsizing and the support of the Council’s grab bar installation program, which is what the yard sale revenues are used for. Please share this information, come see us, and bring a friend!

Thank you to all who came out for our spring Shredding Event. Despite a cloudy day, we had just over 300 vehicles and shredded over 10,000 pounds of paper. Did you miss it? Our fall Shredding Event will be in October.

We also want to thank those who participated in our SeniorPalooza this year: you really made an impression on us! We could not have asked for a better day. If you missed any of the videos, you can still view them on our YouTube channel.

There are a number of other activities and programs on the schedule for the coming months and beyond. We are accepting registrations (through June 16th) for The Senior Summer Musical Moves Camp, which runs Tuesdays, June 21st through August 30th from Noon to 1:00pm. We will be working our bodies and brains, while we enjoy some terrific music. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited.

The Creativity Expo is returning and you can find the details for the June 30th event in this newsletter. And of course we are planning for the August 17th JamFest, which we hope you will add to your calendar. 

The monthly Legal Chat, Medicare 101 and Memory Loss sessions, and the various support group meetings continue through the summer. And activities are also plentiful through the senior centers, Parks & Trails, and Greene County Public Library. 

Keeping ourselves engaged and connecting with others is so important. It is good for our physical health, our memory, and our emotional well being.  We challenge you to add an activity or outing to your schedule, as well as connect or reconnect with a friend, neighbor or a family member. 

The Council knows well that there are an endless number of seniors who make a difference in Greene County. And we celebrate every one of these seniors. During May, which is Older Americans Month, we partner with the Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2, to present an area senior with the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award. 

This year’s honoree is Jerry Mahan. Jerry is a retired educator from OSU Extension, where he worked for 40 years. His areas of expertise are many, but much of his work was and still is in the areas of agriculture and natural resources.

Close to thirty years ago, Jerry played a significant role in the development and distribution of a county-wide survey which solicited input regarding programming relevant to OSU Extension’s mission. One of the areas garnering considerable interest was estate planning, specific to farm owners. This led to the development and offering of an educational series which soon after broadened in scope to include non-farm owners. He reached out to the Area Agency on Aging and the Greene County Council on Aging to assist with the program

and ensure that is was not just a traditional financial estate planning course. The program evolved into what is now the GCCOA-sponsored It’s My Money, My Stuff, and My Life series. Jerry has been one of the presenters since it first began and has continued his commitment since retiring many years ago. 

Jerry also continues to volunteer and share his knowledge through various Extension programs, including 4-H. He is actively involved as a resource for the Greene County Farm Bureau, a guest columnist for the Greene County Dailies, involved with his church, and a volunteer for other organizations in addition to the Greene County Council on Aging.

Lately, there have been a lot of advertisements on radio and TV trying to convince you to buy a monthly subscription service to alert you to fraudulent activity affecting your home’s property title.  Is it worth it? Click here to read what our Financial Advocate has to say.

Grab Bars and Safety

Did you know the Council installs grab bars in bathrooms of seniors living in Greene County? There is no cost to you and our friendly and experienced installers do a terrific job. Contact us if you would like more information. Our goal is to reduce your risk of falls and to keep you safe.

Wednesday, August 17th, 4—6:30pm
Xenia Community Center • $10 per person

Please mark your calendar for the 2022 JamFest, an afternoon of family fun, games, food & some bluegrass music to benefit GCCOA senior and caregiver services & programs.

JamFest features the Olde Country Store with homemade treats & gifts, the Cloud Race Tournament with Announcer Paul Newman, Jr. and some very special competitors, a Silent Auction (which will also be online before the event), a 50/50 Raffle, and the Action-Packed Homemade Treats & Jam Auction with Auctioneer Roy Hatfield with Real Roots Radio. 

Click here for a printable flyer to share with family, friends, and neighbors.

Summer is finally here, and while we are glad to warm up after a long winter, the summer has hazards everyone over 60 should be aware of. It's easy for older people to become dehydrated, especially when taking diuretics. Some other medications can have adverse effects in heat, such as antihistamines which can reduce the ability to sweat, and ephedrines (decongestants) which can affect the ability to cool down.

To reduce your risk of heat-related illness, drink plenty of water and consume fruits with high water content, such as berries and tomatoes. We always encourage getting outside for exercise and fresh air, but take care: don't forget sunscreen and maybe a hat. And when the temperature and humidity soar, perhaps look for indoor exercise locations, or walk early in the morning or early evening. Keep your house cool by shutting windows and curtains during the day. Open windows at night if you don't have air conditioning to let in cool air.

If you experience any of the warning signs of heat exhaustion, get out of the heat, into a cooler place and call for help. Signs include nausea, dizziness, headache, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and fainting.

We are pleased to share that the Creativity Expo has been added back to the Council’s schedule. The Expo is set for Thursday, June 30th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Xenia Community Center, 1265 W. Second Street.

We are gathering the supplies for the two Creations from Nature projects and we invite you to join us to create a unique piece from pine cones and a portable and very special fairy garden. You can request the brochure and registration form by phone, e-mail or stopping into our Xenia office. Space is limited, registrations are due on or before June 23rd, and there is a $5 fee for supplies and lunch.

No particular skill or talent is required, just a willingness to give it a go and have a great time!

Please join us in thanking these generous donors who shared their financial gifts since the last newsletter. 

In Memory Of:
Mark Crockett
Scott Hadley

Donors:
Ray & Marlene Acus
Paula Adams
JoAnne Earley
Teresa Geraci
Mary Graves
Mary Hamer
Jeanette C. Johannes
Lauren Myers
Beverly J. Shaw
Amazon Smile
Kroger Community Rewards
Beavercreek Pizza Dive
United Way

Legacy Students
Lynn Berry
Molly Bordonaro Hall
Tonya Camden
Eliza Brandenburg
Jerri DeVoe
Leah Donohue
Pam Dorsten
Don Dunn
Barb Hawk
Kyle & Stacie Davis Family
Rika Hendrickson

Alforetta Hughes
Linda & Jim Jones
Scott Kayser
Letha Kimball 
Beth Kinsel
Anita Kuntz
Robert Lacy
Sherry Matsel
Chris Middleton
Sherry Newcomer
Connie Newman

Maryjane Nicely
Linda Parsons
Candace Perdin
Mark Rasch
Ken Richardson
Tracey Rickey
Barbara Vandecreek
Ginny Vikmanis
Lisa Weinstein
Roberta Wilhelm
Dee Willis

To ensure you receive information and alerts, sign up for our various mailing lists, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and like us on Facebook.

For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or 937-376-5486.

◊ GCCOA Yard Sale
     Thurs, June 2nd, 9:00am to 4:00pm, Xenia GCCOA Office Parking Lot

◊ Medicare 101
       Wed, June 8th, 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Legal Chat - Making Changes to our Legal & Financial Documents
       Thursday, June 16th, 2:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek

◊ Senior Summer Musical Moves Camp

       Tuesdays, June 21st thru Aug 30th, Noon to 1pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Creativity Expo
       Thursday, June 30th, 10am to 2pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
       Wednesday, July 13th, 2:30-4:30pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Grief & Loss Group
       2nd Mondays (Feb 14th & Mar 14th ), 10am-Noon, Peace Lutheran Church

◊ In-Person Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups
       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

◊ Weekly Programming with our Partners at Real Roots Radio, WBZI FM 100.3:
          Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05 pm
          Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00 pm

Please be on alert regarding tree trimming/removal, Social Security, and other scams.