- Message from the President & CEO
- In Memoriam...
- Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden Dedication, Feb 5
- Annual Meeting, Jan 30
- 50th Anniversary Gala, Jan 20
- City Proclamation
- Check Presentations
- Membership Update: Classes & Renewals
- Volunteer Spotlight
- Senior Happenings
- News from The Club
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A Message from Janice Ancrum, President & CEO | |
Dear Friends,
Our “Salute to Seniors” Gala marking NCCOA’s 50th anniversary was most definitely a milestone in our history. More than 500 people gathered to celebrate our past, present and future service to Nassau County seniors at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, January 20. Through a night of special seniors, delicious food, beautiful music – and the Dynamic Duo of Aaron Bean and John Drew – we also made fundraising history with the highest total at our annual Gala. We are so appreciative of your support throughout our first 50 years, and know your generosity will continue in the next 50…and beyond.
Since our Gala, we dedicated the Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden, February 5 (see photos below). The event -- significant since it was chosen to coincide with David Berkman's birthday -- brought together approximately 100 people to memorialize a man of honor, led by his wife Betty, daughter Sherri and son Steve. Through the Berkman's generosity and love of community, we now have a beautiful garden, complemented by an outdoor pavilion funded by the Florida state legislature. The pavilion and garden will be a venue for rentals, the proceeds funding senior programs and services.
Finally, I'd like share that we are saddened by the loss of two NCCOA Board of Directors members. Chris Bryan, our Board Secretary and longtime member, passed away on January 10; Joe Murphy, former Board Treasurer and longtime member, passed away on February 1. Both Chris and Joe served NCCOA well, as well as many other community organizations throughout their lifetimes.
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You are in our hearts...forever. | |
Service Scheduled for Tony Baia, Former Board Member
An interment service with military honors will be held for Tony Baia, former NCCOA Board of Directors member, who passed away February 10, 2021. The service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 at 10 am, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road.
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Tony served on the NCCOA Board from 2014-2019. He was also the proud owner of Amelia Island Graphics and printed much of the agency’s marketing-related collateral.
The Baia Family would be delighted to hear heartfelt memories we didn't get to share during the mandated COVID precautions. For more information, please contact his daughter, Sandy Baia Overton, at 904-868-2183.
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Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden Dedication | |
The Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden, located on the campus of NCCOA's Fernandina Beach Senior Life Center. | NCCOA President & CEO Janice Ancrum welcomes a full house to the dedication ceremony. | |
Our newest addition to the Fernandina Beach campus, the Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden, is now officially dedicated, as of February 5.
In honor and memory of David Berkman, the venue signifies his love of community and dedication to people of all ages.
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"What a sight to behold! The Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden is finally here," said NCCOA President & CEO Janice Ancrum. "Thanks to all who made this possible. Dreams do come true!"
The pavilion and garden came together with financial support from Betty Berkman and Aaron Bean through the State of Florida.
"It has certainly been a team effort on the part of many of you here today," Janice said. "I'm sure that David is smiling."
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With a special ribbon-cutting, the Berkman Pavilion & Memorial Garden are officially open! From left to right are Tim Eberle, NCCOA Board member and project manager; Janice Ancrum; daughter Sherri; Betty Berkman; and son Steve. | |
Red roses, a favorite of both David and Betty Berkman, adorned the refreshment table, along with handcrafted rose cookies. | |
President & CEO Janice Ancrum shares highlights from 2023 to the attendees, including city and county dignitaries, donors and friends. | |
Immediate Past Board Chair Ken Saitow recalled our celebratory path to our 50th anniversary, February 15, 2024. | |
Scenes from NCCOA's 50th Anniversary Gala!
NCCOA's 50th Anniversary "Salute to Seniors" Gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, January 20, attracted record crowds and record fundraising for seniors in Nassau County. Here's a glimpse of the special evening...
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NCCOA founder George Crady and his wife, Virginia | Betty Berkman, Janice Ancrum and Sharon Lennon | |
Auctioneer Aaron Bean and Emcee John Drew | Westside seniors John Jones and Martha Mears | |
City of Fernandina Beach Issues
Special NCCOA Proclamation
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NCCOA President & CEO Janice Ancrum (center) and HR, Compliance & Facilities Director Don Harley (left), attended the Fernandina Beach City Council meeting, February 6, to hear Mayor Bradley Bean issue a special proclamation (at right) for our 50th year of serving seniors in Nassau County. Click here for the video. | |
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The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and Amelia Cruizers Present Donations to NCCOA | |
Amelia Cruizers Scott Moser (left) and Gene Freund (right) present a donation to NCCOA President & CEO Janice Ancrum. They also shared that NCCOA is now the sole recipient of all Amelia Cruizers charitable donations. Thank you! | |
NCCOA was named a recent recipient of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island community fundraising program. From left to right are Will West, Hotel Manager; May Lyn Gulmatico Marshall, Director of Human Resources; Janice Ancrum, NCCOA President & CEO; Joe Murphy, Director of Marketing; and Greg Cook, Hotel GM. | |
Membership & Community Engagement Update | |
Is it time to renew?
Membership Program: Pay one fee, take unlimited classes
Check your membership and see if it's time to renew. Many folks renew at the beginning of the year -- that might be you! Our membership program at the Fernandina Beach Senior Life Center offers two membership levels:
- Individual membership for $125.00 per year (unlimited classes)
- Couples membership (2 people per household) for $195.00 per year (unlimited classes)
Memberships are valid one year from the date enrolled. Payment can be made online or with our receptionist. Nonmember rate is $5.00 per class or activity, payable at the time of registration.
If it's renewal time, call us at 904-261-0701 or stop by the front desk at 1901 Island Walk Way. Thank you for being a member...we're always happy to see you!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Denise & Judge John Meisburg | |
Dr. Denise (back, right) poses with Club members. | |
As we kick off 2024, have you made resolutions to exercise more, eat better, take more time to simply breathe? Make sure to include all THREE components of wellness – Mind, Body and Spirit – in the new year. Caring for our physical body, engaging in activities to keep our minds active and tending to our emotions are all key components of wellness. According to The Harvard School of Public Health, “Wellness is a choice of lifestyle marked by a balance of mind, body and spirit.”
Volunteer Dr. Denise Meisburg is all about promoting emotional wellness in seniors. With a doctorate in pastoral counseling and as a licensed registered nurse for 42 years, she is uniquely qualified to do just that.
As a member of the NCCOA Club Advisory Panel, Dr. Denise helps keep an eye on members’ emotional health. She can be found regularly at The Club, leading a Soul Wellness group activity with members. Despite her busy private practice, she provides free counseling to Club members and their families. The Club’s holistic approach offers adults with physical and/or cognitive challenges a full daily program promoting all three components of wellness. Dr. Denise also facilitates NCCOA’s Grieving with Hope Support Group for caregivers who have come to the end of their caregiving journey.
NCCOA gets a “two-fer” with Dr. Meisburg – her husband, John Meisberg, a retired federal judge, is also a Club volunteer. John assists with Soul Wellness, and also helps facilitate the Grief Support Group. His legal career included working with all three branches of the federal government including the EEOC, Department of Justice, U.S. House of Representatives, FDIC and OHA/SSA.
To have such a wonderful pair of volunteers creates a positive, caring, compassionate and informative environment, not only for our Club members but also for our staff members. Thank you!
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Line Dancing with the Westie Besties! | |
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Line dancing classes happen every Thursday from 1:30-3:30 pm. at our Westside Senior Life Center, 37002 Ingham Road. Free -- and no reservation needed. Questions? Contact Missy Snead, 904-675-9833. | |
Lunch at the American Legion | |
American Legion Post 54 in Fernandina Beach hosted our "Just Friends" seniors for a lunch outing in January. Every senior had a wonderful time eating and socializing at "The Legion." | |
Monthly Calendars
Did you know you can print our monthly calendars from our website? It's true! Click the buttons on the right to print your own calendars right at home.
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Caregivers & Loved Ones Invited to Valentine Evening | |
Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Staff Education Week | |
Each year the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners promotes a week in February to focus on fostering sensitivity and respect for people diagnosed with dementia. This year, Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Education Week is February 14-21.
If you have a family member or friend who has cognitive challenges, you know how important it is to be knowledgeable to help properly assist and care for these loved ones. If you don’t know someone in this category, chances are you probably will. The number of Americans living with Alzheimer's is growing — and growing fast. Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with the disease. As the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. Accordingly, the number of unpaid caregivers will grow, especially as life expectancy increases and research surges on aging-related cognitive impairment.
NCCOA is staying ahead of this curve through our Adult Day HealthCare program, The Club. Our Training & Caregiver Services staff includes a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a USF-Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Trainer and a Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers certified trainer in Dealing with Dementia. All Club staff receives annual training not only in CPR, AED, First Aid, HIPAA, Adult Protective Services, Elder Abuse, Nutrition and Food Safety, but all complete four hours of dementia training each year with curriculum provided by Mayo Clinic and/or the Alzheimer’s Association. The Club Advisory Panel members include an RN in psychiatric nursing, as well as Brenda Nicholson, MD, who has worked with the NIA, NIH, UCLA and Alzheimer’s Association of Tennessee. Dr. Nicholson, herself diagnosed early with Alzheimer’s, also facilitates NCCOA’s Memory Café for people with early-stage cognitive impairment; this is the only group of its kind in the area. NCCOA experts share their knowledge with caregivers in our community through classes, workshops and personal guidance.
For more information about The Club and related support services, contact Jennifer Gundling, ADHC Club Manager, 904-775-5488.
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Nassau County Council on Aging
Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center, Fernandina Beach
904-261-0701
Westside Senior Life Center, Hilliard
904-845-3331
www.nassaucountycoa.org
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