We’re Warming Up
Things are heating up here at YSSC, with the rising number of members, more activities, and some sunny options for our future. It was just about a year ago that we gathered at our new land to view the eclipse together. Now we’re having planning sessions with our architects and determining what is possible both physically and financially.
Along the way, we’re gathering information about our population. Some interesting facts to be aware of:
- 41% of the population in 45387 is age 60+ (almost three times the average community in the county, state and nation)
- 18% of the population are in their 50s
- At 8%, our population age 80+ is more than double the national, state or county level
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All of this is to say that we’re a village of people with lots of experience and longevity. Too much of the time the focus of aging is the decline of health and activity, but it seems we can see aging here through another angle. We have an abundance of volunteers, class leaders and participants who remain active and involved, help one another to keep learning and improving. (OK, maybe not an abundance, since we are always on the search for drivers, front desk help and other positions.)
It also means that there is a greater need per capita for services that help people as their needs change. We answer that need with socialization, transportation, housekeeping assistance and as a resource for information and options that help people retain their independence. During 2024 there were over 16,000 visits to YSSC – for classes, activities, meetings or just to hang out.
Thanks to an amazing and generous response from the Community Connections Annual Appeal, we will soon have our new twelve passenger van for group outings and a trial shuttle bus service. Thank you to each of the donors who helped us exceed our goal. This is a promising indicator of what we might be able to do together when we start fundraising for the new building.
There are more opportunities for you to give input on our next steps: LWC architects will be here on Thursday, March 6 at 3:30 pm to review what they have learned from the conversations and observations they’ve completed. The Feasibility Focus Group will have a second session on Sunday, March 16 at 2 pm in the Great Room. Wright State MPA students Karama and Sukai will lead a conversation about future of YSSC. All are welcome, whether or not you attended the initial session February 2. New topics will be discussed. In the next few months we should start seeing the results of these projects and start to have a real vision of our future.
– Caroline Mullin, Executive Director
937-767-5751 x 101, cmullin@ysseniors.org
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Congratulations to Nancy Mellon, the winner of the design wrap contest for the new van. | |
Use the buttons below to visit our website for the most up-to-date information about our classes and groups. | |
Upcoming Events & New Activities | |
Village Voices Series
3rd Thursday, 7 pm
Formerly known as the Community Colloquy, the Senior Center hosts monthly guests to share their expertise and knowledge with the community.
Mar. 20: Local resident Dr. John Fleming will speak on his memoir, “Mission to Malawi.” Fleming, who served with the Peace Corps in Malawi from 1967–69, will talk about his experiences. He was the inaugural director of the National African-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce and helped develop the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.
Apr. 17: Desiree Nickell, retired English teacher and Shakespeare fanatic will present “Herbs, Flowers and Plants in Shakespeare.” How often are botanicals mentioned in Shakespeare’s works? How did Shakespeare know so much about herbs, flowers and plants? And where can I buy that “love balm” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream?
Programs meet in the Great Room and on Zoom. All are welcome. To get the Zoom link, register on MyActiveCenter.com, call 937-767-5751, or email info@ysseniors.org.
Daytrips
Springfield Art Museum
Wed. Mar. 19, 11–1:30 pm
We’ll check out the special exhibit “Aminah Robinson: Journeys Home, A Visual Memoir.” Afterwards we’ll have lunch at Speakeasy Ramen at 365 Ludlow Ave. in Springfield. Meet at John Bryan lot by 10:30 am if you wish to carpool.
Cedar Cliff Falls
Thurs. Apr. 10, 10 am–1 pm
We’ll hike from the Indian Mound Reserve to see the falls, and then head to Colonial Pizza in Cedarville for lunch at 98 N. Main St. Meet at John Bryan lot by 9:30 am if you wish to carpool.
Brunch Bunch
1st Tuesday, 11 am
The Brunch Bunch explores local restaurants to build community through sharing food. Either meet at John Bryan parking lot at 10:30 am to carpool, or meet at the restaurant at 11 am. Please RSVP to Maggie one week prior if possible, so group reservations can be made.
Mar. 4: Toasted Brunch Bar and Café, next to Fusion at the Fairfield Commons Mall.
Apr. 1: Butterbee’s Grill, 217 Progress Drive in Xenia.
Third Thursday Potlucks
3rd Thursday, 11:30 am–1 pm
Join us in the Great Room for monthly potlucks. Please bring a side dish to share.
Mar. 20: Neil Fogarty, the president of Dodds Memorials, will give a lighthearted, inspiring talk entitled “Bucket List.”
Apr. 17: Marie Hertzler, co-founder and Program Coordinator from Sister Trillium, will talk about this local, volunteer-run Creative Reuse Store.
Events
Dear Inner Critic: A Generative Writing Workshop
Tue. Mar. 11, 10 am–noon
Rebecca Kuder will lead this workshop which offers fun, creative, and real strategies to change your relationship to the inner critic and make more room for creativity and joy. Using inventive prompts and practicing self-care, you will generate new writing and play your way towards liberation. Activities will center on Dear Inner Critic: a self-doubt activity book, by Rebecca Kuder, MFA, available at Dark Star and Epic Books, or for purchase from Rebecca at the workshop. Fireplace Room
Volunteer Driver Appreciation
Fri. Mar. 14, 3 pm
In honor of Pi Day, there will be both savory and sweet pies, to show our appreciation to all of our volunteer drivers! Great Room
Strength Training
Thurs. Apr. 3, noon–1 pm
Jerry Shields is from the Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio will offer a one-time upper body strength training class. Register with Maggie. Great Room
Innovations of Yellow Springs
Thurs. Apr. 10, 7 pm
Yellow Springs has an incredible history of innovation with great stories to tell. Alan Brunsman will share video clips and stories of Leland Clark “the father of Biosensors.” This is the first of what we hope will be an ongoing series about technology in Yellow Springs. To register or send suggestions for future topics email info@ysseniors.org. Zoom will be available. Great Room
Volunteer Appreciation Event
Thurs, Apr. 24, noon–1 pm
More details to come! Great Room
New Classes
Pottery Projects at John Bryan Pottery
The March project is Build a Bowl on Tues. Mar. 4 and 11. The April project is a Mushroom Fairy House on Tues. April 1 and 8. Both meet from 1–3 pm.
Draw What You See
Mondays, 10–11:30 pm
This seven-week class meets from Mar. 17–April 28, in the Great Room. Limited to 8–10 participants, all levels welcome. Contact Maggie to register.
Writing for Life
Thursdays, 10–11:30 am
Ed Davis leads this 8-week course which will allow participants to compose short prose narratives, including both nonfiction and fiction, especially memoir, in a welcoming environment, safe for sharing. No prior writing experience necessary, just a willingness to try and an interest in the stories of others. Limited to eight writers. Register with Maggie.
Communication That Brings Us Together: Nonviolent Communication
Thursdays, 4–6 pm
Learn how to navigate sticky conversations in ways that help us move from conflict to collaboration, and solutions that are more likely to work for everyone. Practical tools for use at home, work, and in the community. Led by Diane Diller, Certified Nonviolent Communication Trainer, from March 13–April 24, in the Great Room. Suggested donation of $10 per person, per week, can be paid weekly. 20% will be donated to the YS Senior Center.
Line Dancing
Fridays, 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Led by Lynn Hardman in the Great Room and going through May 23. School age children are welcome to attend whenever they are not in school.
Events Happening Elsewhere
Hand Building Pottery
Wednesdays, 1–4 pm
Led by Dianne Collinson, this is a trial experience in her home studio going through April 23. Numbers are limited, so contact Maggie if you are interested.
Parkinson’s Forum in Cincinnati
Sat. Apr. 26, 9 am
The Harvey Chyette Spring Forum returns with a program that provides complimentary breakfast and lunch at the Manor House in Mason, Ohio. There is no charge for participants. This half day event featuring national level speakers plus exhibits about services and products such as home health care, fitness programs, medical and surgical procedures, and Parkinson’s books. YSSC is planning to provide transportation to this event.
YS Earth Day Celebration
Sun. Apr. 27, 2–4 pm
This annual event sponsored by the Tecumseh Land Trust this year will be held at the Senior Center’s new property at the corner of East North College and Livermore Street. Celebrate Earth Day with music by the Corndrinkers, native plant sales, environmental booths, kids’ activity tents and local food trucks. More info can be found at yswildlifehabitat.com/upcoming-events.
| Register for classes and events at MyActiveCenter.com, 937-767-5751, or info@ysseniors.org | |
“Good Neighbors” by Anna Arbor
February 27–April 28
Reception: Fri., March 14, 4–7 pm
Anna mostly paints what she sees on her morning walk, or in her yard, or what she sees out her windows. The flowers, fields, homes, people, pets, and deer are all good neighbors in the village that she loves. Her paintings are a way of thanking Yellow Springs for inspiring and nurturing her.
The show can be viewed during the Center’s open hours of Monday–Friday from 9:30 am–4 pm, unless there is a class in the Fireplace Room.
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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.
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Blue Skies Ahead
Blue skies, smiling at me.
Nothin’ but blue skies do I see.
–Irvin Berlin
The idea that I might be a “blue-sky” person is a difficult label for me to reconcile. I’ve always associated “blue-sky” thinking with an unquenchable, ungrounded optimism, lacking awareness of how the world really is. A blue-sky person, I thought, was “pollyannaish” in nature, too likely to have their head in the sand, willfully naive. I, of course, cut from the mold of a realist, had a better sense of the world’s travails. My perceptions of the world were more informed, acutely aware of the vagaries of life, trying all the while to keep my “eyes wide open.” Until very recently, that is, when the certainty of my identity as a realist began to shift and the clear demarcations separating optimists from pessimists from realists failed to hold. It all needed to be called into question.
What instigated this question of identity? Well, friends, rather than relate a long, winding tale that weaves here and yon, building narrative tension, diving deeper into mysteries of mind and being, I’ll tell you straight out. It was a voila moment inspired by a blue sky in February!
You might suspect that a blue sky is too simple an event to rattle a curmudgeon’s fixed continuum of general attitudes and outlooks towards life, but there it is. And, I’m guessing you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s that moment when the cerulean blue fills a hole in the lowering sky, the sun peeks through, immediately drawing your attention. Your thoughts, concerns and troubles are drawn into that hollow – so fast and without effort that all you can do is sigh in relief and wonder. As you catch your breath, you might even look about and see a friend or stranger experiencing that same awe-filled moment. A smile passes between - like a secret handshake or code – certifying that life is good...as we share a moment with the quiet in the sky.
Sometimes, unfettered optimism can be exhausting to me. The same can be said anytime about unrelenting pessimism. Likely, it’s not my realism that serves as a fulcrum point between these two ends. Perhaps it is simply having empathy for – paying attention to – the ups and downs we all face. All the while, of course, keeping any eye skyward for a glimpse of blue sky.
– Robert Libecap, Transportation Manager
937-767-5751 x104, rlibecap@ysseniors.org
Tax Services
It’s tax time again! Thankfully, there are many resources available to help. Information and forms may be found online at www.irs.gov and also at tax.ohio.gov/individual/filing-season-central. Instructions and Federal Tax 104 and Ohio State tax forms are available at the Yellow Springs Library. The filing deadline is April 15.
Tax preparation assistance is also available. The Greene County Council on Aging has a list of places for in-person help at www.gccoa.org/tax-help-2024. VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance staff will be offering in-person tax appointments at the Xenia Community Center now through April 14, 2025. Call 937-352-4000, option 2, to schedule an appointment. Appointment times are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 10 am–3 pm. The appointments are limited to two people per return and you must bring appropriate documentation. The list of documents to bring can be found at this link, greenelibrary.info/taxes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Although Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted a long winter, Spring is just around the corner. On those days we are blessed with sunny, warmer weather, go outside and enjoy nature! And Happy Spring!
– Stephanie Lawson, RN, Support Services Manager
937-767-5751 x108, slawson@ysseniors.org
Spring into Action
Our extreme winter this year has many yearning for a real quick thaw. Thoughts of fresh grass, new leaves on the trees, even the air will seem fresher. Take advantage of the chance to refresh yourself in general, whatever that means to you. Try again with your New Years Resolution; exercise, eat better, join a book club, stop a bad habit, rid yourself of toxic situations and people. Try something new: ping pong, pottery, a new language class, dance, yoga at the Senior Center. Maybe let go of a few chores and allow our homemakers to assist you with light cleaning, cooking or running errands. Stop by the Center to see what we have to offer or suggest something that would interest you. We are in the planning stages of our brand-new building and welcome community input to make an inclusive oasis to the residence of Yellow Springs.
–Teresa Bondurant, Homemaker & Outreach Manager
937-767-5751 x107, tbondurant@ysseniors.org
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Greene County Council on Aging
Other GCCOA Events
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Caregiver Support Group: Mondays, Mar. 3 and Apr. 7 (the first and Monday) from 6–7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Yellow Springs.
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Grief & Loss Group: Mondays, Mar. 10 and Apr. 14 (the second Monday) from 10 am–noon at Peace Lutheran Church in Beavercreek.
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Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease: Wednesday, Mar. 12 from 2:30– 4:30 pm at the Xenia Community Center (XCC) next door to the GCCOA Office.
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Medicare 101: Wednesday, Apr. 9, 3–4:30 pm at the Xenia Community Center (XCC) next door to the GCCOA Office.
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Legal Chat: Thursday, Mar. 20 and Apr. 17 (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 or email yourfriends@gccoa.org.
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Feedback Group
Looking for a new way to be involved? The Feedback Committee needs a variety of perspectives to provide feedback to the board and staff, so whether you’ve been a member forever, or are new to the community and have yet to participate in anything, we want your help as we prepare for the future.
The Feedback Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 pm in the Fireplace Room. Contact Sara at sbeltran@ysseniors.org for more information and to sign up. YSSC wants to be ready when you’re ready.
Ripples 2025
Ripples, an annual literary magazine featuring poems and articles by or about older adults in Yellow Springs or Miami Township, is accepting submissions of stories, poems, and photos created by or featuring residents age 55 and over. Submission guidelines are available at the Center and at ysseniors.org/Ripples. The deadline is March 15, 2025.
Submissions should be emailed to pgeisel@ysseniors.org; please include the information from the submission form. If email is an issue, typed entries, with a submission form, can be dropped off or mailed to: YSSC–Ripples, 227 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, OH 45387.
Copies of past issues are available at the Center and can be read on the website at the address above.
Hard Hat Art Show
In coordination with the design of the new building, the Senior Center is planning an art show where artists will decorate hard hats, which will be provided. If you are interested in participating or knowing more, contact Pam at pgeisel@ysseniors.org.
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.
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There was a great turnout for the Lunch with the Architects back in January. They will be back on Thursday, March 6 at 3:30 pm with a presentation of what they have learned about the future needs for the new building. (This is a date change which was originally scheduled for February 27 and listed in the previous newsletter.) | |
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Welcome NEW Members!
Mary Barton
Alan Brunsman
Steve & Tina Bujenovic
Angie Duarte
Kathy Engisch
Suzanne Gourlie
Larry Kinsler
Mary & Greg Petkoff
Kellye Pinkleton
Linda Ricciardi
Jackie Robinson
Clovis Rogers
James Smith
Teresa & John Virgint
Marla Weiss
Bonnie Wilkinson
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PARKINSON’S PUZZLE HUNT
Saturday, May 17, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
A FUNdraiser for “Parkinson Support and Wellness”
FLASH MOB
Wednesday, May 28, 1 pm
Practices will be starting soon...watch for details!
DAYTON DRAGON’S GAME
Thursday, May 29, 7 pm
We will be getting a group of tickets so everyone can sit together. Watch for more details.
STREET FAIR
Saturday, June 14, 9 am–5 pm
We’re planning something fun...details to come!
GARDEN DINNER PARTY
Saturday, June 28, 5:30–9 pm
There will be more information will be in the next newsletter but it’s not to soon to save the date!
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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.
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