July/August 2025

Planning for the Future

When we were children, the question was: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Some kids (like my husband) always knew the answer to this and followed their vision, others had unrealistic dreams like being a superhero. After age 50 the more typical question is: “How soon will you retire?” a question that takes much more practical planning than our youthful visioning.

Retirement isn’t a simple process – we must consider all aspects of our employment that affect our daily lives. Income is usually the first consideration, complicated all the more as we have an economy in flux. Will I have enough savings and income to cover living expenses? What are the best options for long-term investments? Do I have enough money to keep caring for my home, or should I downsize? 

Health Insurance is another consideration to plan for. Medicare coverage is complicated to sort out, with complex choices at the start that impact all your future options. Free Medicare consultations are available at YSSC for the community and we encourage everyone to visit ahead of turning 65 or retiring. If you aren’t yet eligible for Medicare there are more options we can help with. 

Without a job, is there a reason to get moving each day? It is recommended in retirement that we should be planning ways to fill our days, keeping up or making new social connections, mental and physical activities. You may have a vision of traveling, time with family and friends or spending time on hobbies. Will this provide the structure of a schedule that motivates you and feels purposeful? Check out all YSSC has going on or suggest what you’d like to us to offer in the future.

But what about those childhood visions: did you realize that you can, in fact, be a superhero at any point in life? Here are some ideas that would help someone in need, or even the whole community:

• Be a volunteer (YSSC has many options, so do other non-profits, schools, your neighbors…whatever skills you have can make a difference to someone). For example, Stephanie is looking for tax help volunteers (see page 9).
• Get involved in issues that matter to you – advocate, write letters, join gatherings, keep learning, talk with others.
• Make donations to organizations that support what you believe in.
• Plan to leave something behind to care for the world…make an estate plan that includes your favorite charity (perhaps YSSC?) to assure that your vision of the world can carry on. If you have already included us in your estate plan, please let me know so we can update our records. 

Speaking of practical planning, perhaps you were able to attend our annual meeting to see how the design of our new building is coming along. We’re going through all the steps to ensure success: hired LWC Architects, completed a feasibility study and space usage study, gathering community input and working with our community partners. If you’d like to join in this project please let me know!

 – Caroline Mullin, Executive Director

937-767-5751 x 101, cmullin@ysseniors.org

Ripples is here!

All YSSC members received a copy of Ripples with the print version of this newsletter that was mailed at the end of June. Additional copies are $5 each and can be purchased at the Senior Center. An electronic version is also on the website at ysseniors.org/ripples

Use the buttons below to visit our website for the most up-to-date information about our classes and groups.

Village Voices, 3rd Thursday, 7 pm

The Senior Center hosts monthly guests to share their expertise and knowledge with the community. 

July 17: Paige Burge, Chief of Police will speak on “Prepared, not scared: How to handle emergencies in the Village.” Many older adults are concerned about what to do in emergencies, from severe weather to medical crises. Chief Burge will discuss practical steps that anyone can take, while highlighting the department’s role.

Aug. 21: Cancelled for August

Programs meet in the Great Room and Zoom. To get the Zoom link, register on MyActiveCenter.com, call 937-767-5751, or email info@ysseniors.org.

Daytrips

Dayton Art Institute

Tuesday, July 22, 1–2:30 pm 

Visit the “Cats in Art/Dogs in Art” special exhibit with us. Register with Maggie and meet at John Bryan Center parking lot at 12:30 pm.

Clarence Brown Reservoir in Springfield

Tuesday, August 12, 9:30–11 am

This nature preserve recreational area in the Buck Creek valley is only a few miles from Springfield. Register with Maggie and meet in the John Bryan Center parking lot at 9:30 am.

Brunch Bunch

1st Tuesday, 11 am

The Brunch Bunch explores local restaurants to build community through sharing food. Either meet at the John Bryan parking lot at 10:30 am or meet at the restaurant at 11 am. Please RSVP to Maggie one week prior if possible, so group reservations can be made.

July 1: Cancelled for July

Aug 5: Authentic Mexican food at La Base, 428 North Broad St in Fairborn. 

Innovations of Yellow Springs

2nd Thursday, 7 pm

July 10: Yellow Springs has an incredible history of innovation with great stories to tell. Local resident Alan Brunsman will continue his profile of inventor Leland Clark’s legacy of innovations and share video clips and stories of Leland Clark “the Father of Biosensors.” 

August 14: Cancelled for August

These will also be on Zoom. To register email info@ysseniors.org or call 937-767-5751. Great Room

Third Thursday Potlucks

3rd Thursday, 11:30 am–1 pm

Please bring a side dish to share. 

July 17: Jonathan Platt from StoryChain will talk about the current efforts and volunteer needs of StoryChain.

August 21: Amy Rebekah from CommuniTea will share stories from her meaningful work within the community.

Events

Happy Hour & Puzzles at YS Brewery

Tuesday, August 19, 4 pm

Join us for socializing, and sticker-by-number, and other puzzle activities. Register with Maggie so we know how many to save seats for, and meet at the brewery located at 305 Walnut Street. 

End-of Summer Social

Friday August 29, 3–4 pm

We’ll gather to share the highlights of summer and what we’re looking forward to in Fall. Refreshments, door prizes, and brain teasers will abound! Stick around for Bingo at 4 pm.

New Classes

Pottery Projects at John Bryan Pottery

The August project is Build a Jar on Wed. Aug. 6 and 13 from noon–2 pm for $45 per student. Participants can build a little jar for their treasures. There is no project for July. Register with Maggie.

Exploring Ancestry

Tuesdays 10–11:30 am

Join others with a shared interest in uncovering details from your ancestry. Bring a laptop or device for research; learn tips and tricks from experienced genealogy enthusiasts. Fireplace Room

Photo Walks

Thursdays, 9–noon

Meet at the Emporium to get started. Any type of camera and any level of photography knowledge is acceptable. Suggested donation $10/class, or pay ahead for a discounted rate. Register with Maggie. 

Community Games

Mondays, 1:30–3:30 pm

All sorts of games: board, card, word, logic, puzzles and more, or bring your own and help others learn! Gentle limbering stretches and balance exercises every 20 to 30 minutes so our bodies stay flexible along with our minds! Fireplace Room

Poetry Writing Workshop

Mondays in July, 10–11:30 am

Do you like to write poetry? Do you want to get together and share your work with other poets? In this four-week course, Debra Williamson will introduce some basics of writing poetry for the participants to try, and then share in a workshop format. Class limited to eight students. Contact Maggie to register. Fireplace Room

Playing with Your Phone 101

Thursdays in July, 10–11:30 am 

Do you feel a little intimidated by your phone? Afraid to break it? Or get stuck somewhere and you don’t know how to get back where you were? Debra Williamson leads this four-week workshop to teach you how to get comfy with your phone’s functionality by participating in a small group setting where common problems are addressed. Class limited to eight people. Bring your phone, charger, and passwords to help you get started. Contact Maggie to register. Fireplace Room

Art pm the Lawn

Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 am–5 pm

This year’s Art on the Lawn will again be at the Senior Center’s new property at the corner of East North College and Livermore Street. The Senior Center will have a booth at the show.

Grocery Delivery

The Senior Center shops for groceries weekly from Tom’s Market for anyone homebound due to transportation, mobility, or health issues. Deliveries are on Fridays and orders are due by 11 am on Thursdays. Orders are accepted one of three ways:

  • e-mail to info@ysseniors.org

  • ysseniors.org/grocery-delivery-program

  • calling 937-767-5751 Mon.–Fri. 9:30 am–4 pm

A Credit Card/Debit Card/EBT card is used. This is a free service; donations gratefully accepted.

2026 Art Shows

The art committee is looking for artists who would like to be considered for a show in 2026. Interested artists can find an application at ysseniors.org/art.

Register for classes and events at MyActiveCenter.com, 937-767-5751, or info@ysseniors.org

Studies in Color, Art Quilts by Chris Zurbuchen

July 3–August 29, 2025 

Reception: Fri., August 8, 4–6 pm

“Studies in Color” an exhibit of art quilts by Chris Zurbuchen. This form of fiber art deviates from traditional, historical quilt patterns with an emphasis on design often with abstract or abstract-inspired pieces. Chris joined Miami Valley Art Quilt Network (MVAQN.COM) when she retired in 2012. MVAQN has monthly meetings studying different art quilt topics. In February 2025, she led the group on a study of Complementary Colors, which resulted in YS Water Towers as a study. Another color study is of trees in wooden frames.

Her mother taught Chris to sew and that was reinforced with high school home economics and 4-H. Worklife took over with little time for sewing until retirement. A 2012 Christmas gift of a Singer sewing machine from her daughter helped with her new projects. Chris took her first traditional quilt class in April 2014. 

The show can be viewed during the Center’s open hours Monday–Friday from 9:30 am–4 pm, unless there is a class in the Fireplace Room.

Calendar

Use the buttons below to visit the calendar our website or MyActiveCenter for the most up-to-date information about our classes and events.

To participate in virtual classes and events using Zoom, you must register through their account on MyActiveCenter. Zoom links are emailed to participants one hour prior.

New Shuttle Van

What does a Shuttle Van dream about? Being a crucial link in connecting people and places? Becoming a vital thread in the life of a Village?

Perhaps you have caught a fleeting glimpse of it cruising down the street. Maybe you’ve wondered – an Amazon Delivery? UPS? What could those YS Senior Citizen folks be up to now!? Lauren Shows wrote a feature article in the Yellow Springs News in the May 23 issue detailing our plans for a Village SHUTTLE service.

The entire Transportation Department has been on the move ever since. You can catch up with the latest details of our SHUTTLE project at ysseniors.org/shuttle. And take a minute to fill out a survey about how you would use the shuttle.

For now, it’s time to celebrate its official launch! Come join us for:

A Wheelie Fun Block Party!

When: Friday, July 18, 2:30–4 pm

Where: Future Site of Yellow Springs Senior Center, (E. North College & Livermore Streets)

Shuttle on down and join the celebration of our YS Shuttle Program with ice cream, cold drinks, music, and more fun!

  – Robert Libecap, Transportation Manager

937-767-5751 x104, rlibecap@ysseniors.org

Ways that You Can Make a Difference

If you are wondering how you can make a difference in your community, one option is to help prepare taxes with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA ) program. VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offer free basic tax return preparation for qualified individuals. Although tax season is still several months away, training is needed to become a VITA volunteer. The following link will give you information about the program and training. www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer to help prepare taxes, please let me know.

Summer weather is now here and there are programs available to help with utility costs for those who qualify. The Village of Yellow Springs has a Utility Round-Up program to assist residents who are at risk of disconnection of utility services. Information and an application are on the Village of Yellow Springs website. There are other assistance programs available, including a Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP). Please contact me if you have questions about these programs or need assistance with Medicare, Medicaid, Food, or Housing.

The Kroger Little Clinic will host a vaccine clinic at YSSC in September. More information will be included in the next newsletter.

 – Stephanie Lawson, RN, Support Services Manager

937-767-5751 x108, slawson@ysseniors.org

Summertime

Hot fun in the summertime. Enjoy all that summer has to offer, from laps in the pool, picnics in the park, to hiking in the Glen. There are some days when nothing will do but air conditioning. For those days come enjoy the Senior Center’s beautiful puzzles, art work and multitude of classes while our wonderful homemakers lighten your load with light house cleaning, cooking, errands and companionship. Contact Teresa.

 –Teresa Bondurant, Homemaker & Outreach Manager

937-767-5751 x107, tbondurant@ysseniors.org

Greene County Council on Aging

Brain Blast

Greene County Council on Aging presents a fun afternoon for Greene County adults (50 and better) to enjoy a bit of food and drink, and some socializing and friendly competition. The event will be a light-hearted but educational brain workout with the theme of The Wonders of Water.

The event is at the Xenia Community Center, 1265 W. Second Street on Wednesday, July 9 from 2–3:30 pm with doors open to register starting at 1:30. There will be door prizes, appetizers, and beverages. The cost to participate is an item for the food pantry. Reservations are required by July 3 and can be made at 937-376-5486 or YourFriends@gccoa.org.

Puzzle Party

The Greene County Council on Aging is hosting a Puzzle Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 12:30 to 3:30 pm at the Xenia Community Center, 1265 W. Second Street. For more info visit gccoa.org.

Other GCCOA Events

• Caregiver Support Group: Mondays, July 7 and Aug. 4 (the first and Monday) from 6–7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Yellow Springs.
• Grief & Loss Group: Mondays, July 14 and Aug. 11 (the second Monday) from 10 am–noon at Peace Lutheran Church in Beavercreek.
• Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease: Wednesday, July 9 from 2:30– 4:30 pm at the Xenia Community Center (XCC) next door to the GCCOA Office.
• Medicare 101: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 3–4:30 pm at the Xenia Community Center (XCC) next door to the GCCOA Office.
• Legal Chat: Thursday, July 17 and Aug. 21 (third Thursdays) at 2:30 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, 3530 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Enter at lower level door with awning. 

Contact GCCOA with questions or to register for these events at 937-376-5486.

Garden Dinner Party Recap

The Garden Dinner Party on June 28 raised over $11,800 to support YSSC’s daily operations. Thank you to all the attendees, donors and also the wonderful sponsors:

Coldwell Banker – Sam Eckenrode

AC Service Company

Eco Pro Termite & Pest

Scott Geisel Books

Three Ten Bed & Breakfast

Wagner Subaru

Yellow Springs Bakery & Café

Welcome NEW Members!

Beth Borchers

Michael Breza

James DeLong

Maggie Coughlin

Jeri Flemming

Karen & Scott Hammond

Tom Jones

Tim Jones

Margaret Lamb

Lori Mackintosh

Carol Mills

Chris Naberhaus

Catherine Pendell

Elizabeth Sanchez

Thanks to everyone who participated in May’s Flash Mob Event, and thanks to Lynn Hardman for creating the choreography and coordinating the event. A video of the event is on the YSSC YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@yellowspringsseniorcenter

​The Yellow Springs Senior Center newsletter is published every other month, coming out at the end of the even numbered months. Copy deadline is the 1st of even numbered months. PDF versions of this and past issues can be found on the website.

All YSSC members also receive a hard copy mailed to their home. Memberships are $25 annually with $15 for each additional member and are due in January. Make checks payable to YSSC and mail to: YSSC, 227 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, OH, 45387 or use the button below to go to the website to pay with a credit card.

Email updates are sent weekly and the eNewsletter is sent every other month.