The Navigator is published monthly by The Village Chicago
under the direction of Editor Laurel Baer.
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Welcome to The Village Chicago Annual Gift Guide! This year we asked for gift recommendations from Village and staff members who have developed some expertise by virtue of their first hand experience. We hope you will find the ideas useful and that they will make your gift-giving easier and more fun!
Of course, the most important gifts of all are kindness and friendship. Please reach out to your family, friends, neighbors - anyone who you haven't seen for a while - and spend some time visiting. It can make a world of difference!
Warm wishes,
Darcy Evon, CEO
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For Golfers
Recommended by Village Board Chair David Baker
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I always ask for a dozen Titleist ProV1 golf balls, as they are always a little more expensive than other balls, but considered the best on the market. They are about $50.
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For Technology Lovers
Two tech treats from Darcy Evon, Village CEO
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No more forgetting to pick up your photos! This wireless printer connects to almost any phone or tablet to create colorful 2"x3" prints instantly.
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This screen magnifier is perfect for watching movies, videos, and more on your phone. With no batteries required, it will magnify your smartphone screen 2-4 times - so you can keep your distance from your smartphone and protect your eyes.
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For Travelers
Portable picks from Board Member Judith Gethner
who says these are "must haves"
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A set of three piped pouches, perfect for cosmetics, sun tan lotions, nail care items... any small items that are easily lost, even tech accessories.
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For Writers - and Readers!
Recommended by Village member and award-winning author, Donna Cousins Vos
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by Strunk, White & Kalman. A very special, charmingly illustrated edition of the classic guide.
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For Lovers of the Outdoors
Ideas from Director of Membership & Engagement Callie Alton,
an avid bike rider and walker
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For those who like to listen while they walk (at a safe volume of course), these wireless airpods can be engraved for free from Apple and are compatible with both iPhones and Androids.
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An REI Gift Card is great for anyone who loves the outdoors. Their shop features everything you need for city strolls to mountain hikes, plus a full service bike shop.
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The connection between walking and wellbeing, including cognition, has been written about since at least the ancient Greeks. Give the flaneur in your life some food for thought with a book about walking for the scientist, historian, or nature lover.
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For Those who Love to Cook and Entertain
Reccommended by Board Member Jan Walters,
who knows her way around a kitchen!
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A $40 orange peeler from Italian brand Alessi is the kind of gadget someone likely wouldn’t buy for themselves — but that’s what makes it a perfect gift. The heavyweight metal object has a hook at the end that digs into the skin and pith so that no gunk ends up underneath your fingernails, offering "a small revelation every time I use it," cookbook author Fanny Singer says.
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Heilala vanilla paste, which so many pro bakers and I both love — is made from a blend of actual pods and extract, so it’s seriously deep and rich but still easy to measure out. The company follows sustainable growing and fair labor practices, too.
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Preserved lemon paste is the kind of secret-weapon ingredient chefs know will liven up any dish — but in paste form, it’s "ripe" for experimentation. Not to mention it comes in a very pretty jar for bonus giftability.
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Forgot to chill the wine? No worries - this steel rod chills the wine immediately!
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For Family Caregivers
and Their Loved Ones
Picks from
Brooke Nanni, Brain Health & Memory Loss Program Manager
and Niki Fox, Director of Health & Wellbeing
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The Alzheimer's Society recommends smart devices like the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod that can help with memory loss. These voice-activated devices can answer questions or be set to notify of tasks or give reminders when it is time to take medication.
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Digital picture frames display a rotating series of photos that bring back good memories. Most will allow friends and family from all over to add their snaps, too.
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Care Crates Build-a-Box is an easy to use "care package" offering a variety of gifts. The straightforward selection process is quick and uncomplicated.
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Many people find that adding a weighted blanket to their sleep routine helps reduce stress and promote calm - just like a warm hug or a baby’s swaddle. The New York Times' Wirecutter recommends the Nest Bedding Luxury Weighted Blanket.
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The calming and coping benefits of meditation are well known. The app Headspace has the largest variety of meditations, with guided sessions for beginners and less-structured programming for pros. Its rich library of content is well organized and easy to navigate.
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The BEST lavender candle, filled with the calming fragrances of lavender, lemon zest, eucalyptus, and rosemary with just a hint of patchouli. This luxury candle is made with a premium soy wax blend.
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From the Editor
Some gift ideas that caught her fancy
from The Navigator's editor, Laurel Baer
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Katz's Birthday Box is "a deli meal for the ages." It contains all the fixings for as many sandwiches as you can make from one pound each of pastrami and corned beef. Everything is included - rye bread, pickles - both sour and new, mustard - even Reuben dressing and sauerkraut if you want to go that way. And to top it off, black and white cookies. Yum.
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I find dark chocolate irresistible. Every year, I check the New York Times' Wirecutter for their latest pick for best box of chocolates. This year it's Recchiuti Black Box chocolates that "beat a lineup of new- and old-world boutique chocolates with perfectly executed flavors and an eye-popping array of shapes and textures."
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Save money and have some fun this season! Goldstar has dozens of event tickets to all of our favorite shows and venues at a discounted price. Plays, musicals, concerts, dance, experiences and more. Take a friend or neighbor for the holidays!
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A gift to the Village in honor or memory of a friend or loved one is a beautiful way to show love and respect.
Everyone is welcome into the Village, regardless of ability to pay. Your support as a donor or Village Champion makes the gift of connection available to all.
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Uniting Generations Presented by The Village Chicago and Chicago Innovation
Chicago Innovation and The Village Chicago invite you to Uniting Generations, an event that celebrates the inspiring power of cross-generational innovation. Join us to discover top perspectives and trends from innovators of different age groups, learn secrets to success for fueling intergenerational collaboration, and celebrate the winners of the second annual Turn the Page on Age Awards.
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Thursday, December 7, 5 PM
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Important Community Event on Housing and Healthcare
Village Community partner Jane Addams Senior Caucus invites you to join a Community Briefing on Zoom Thursday, November 16 at 6:00 PM. Residents of project-based Section 8 senior buildings in Chicago will report on their efforts to improve conditions and win lasting change in their buildings, and JASC's healthcare leaders will discuss their efforts to improve insurance coverage for seniors across the country. All are welcome and encouraged to participate and ask questions. Click here to register now!
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Village Members Enjoyed Our Traditional Fall Potluck Event
For the past 13 years, every spring and fall the Village has held a potluck dinner for members and guests. We even did it during the pandemic on Zoom with some nifty delivered catering. Last Tuesday, a gregarious group gathered at the Old Town Triangle Association Art Center to enjoy a varied and plentiful meal and the wonderful opportunity be together with friends and neighbors.
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As always, we had a great spread! Thank you to all who brought a dish to share. |
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Three very happy Village volunteers: Erica Fanciullacci, Mohit Bathjiba and Hali Strub. |
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RSVP today for our upcoming in-person and virtual events! For full descriptions and registration, visit thevillagechicago.org.
- (11/16) Weekly Walks Around North Pond
- (11/16) Coffee Chat BYOC
- (11/16) MacTutor: The 15 Best Features that will Save You Time in iOS 17
- (11/16) Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
- (11/17) The Village Scrabble Group: Organizing Meeting
- (11/18) Saturday Afternoon at the Movies: Bones and All (2022)
- (11/21) Exercise at Home with Jill Stein
- (11/25) Saturday Afternoon at the Movies in Person
- (11/26) NEW! Beyond the Nutcracker with Ballet 5:8
- (11/28) Brain Connection Cafe
- (11/28) Exercise at Home with Jill Stein
- (11/30) Weekly Walks Around North Pond
- (11/30) NEW! Mindful Nurishment Through the Holidays and Beyond
- (11/30) Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
- (12/5) NEW! Snowflake Savvy: Winter Safety for Wise Chicagoans
- (12/5) NEW! Beyond Green Burial – An ecological option for after death
- (12/5) Favorite Films of the 30's and 40's - It Happened One Night (1934)
- (12/6) Great Books, Great Conversations
- (12/7) Coffee Chat BYOC
- (12/7) NEW! Online Sound Meditation
- (12/7) NEW! Uniting Generations Presented by The Village Chicago and Chicago Innovation
- (12/11) NEW! The Village Learns Magic! Presented by Tiny Theatre and Life 3.0
- (12/12) Happy Hour with Life 3.0
- (12/13) Death Cafe
- (12/13) NEW! Holiday Brunch at the Chicago Yacht Club Presented by the Men’s Group
- (12/13) NEW! Managing Stress and Trauma with the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Part Two of Two
- (12/13) NEW! Reading the Rainbow: Nobody Needs to Know by Pidgeon Pagonis
- (1/24/24) NEW! Online Sound Meditation
- (2/21/24) NEW! Floor Mobility Mastery: Getting Up and Down Safely with Jill Stein
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Village Member Pastime Groups |
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Are you...
Looking for a new career, about to retire, wondering what's next? Seeking companions that share your interests? Searching for a way to utilize your abilities? In need of occasional help? New to Chicago? Worried about changing needs? An adult child with aging parents?
Village members are part of an inclusive, multigenerational community, connected to others and to the resources that support growth and well-being as we navigate life after 50 together.
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Leadership of The Village Chicago |
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Board of Directors
David Baker, President
Judith Gethner, Secretary
Joan Goldstein,
Treasurer
Kathie Kolodgy, Vice President
Karen Terry, Vice President
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Jacie Brandes
Stefanie Clark
Carol Hitchie
Angie Levenstein
Molly Matthias
Liz Metzger
Gail Moss
Tom Pasker
Carol Stein
Lois Stuckey
Vamse Kumar Subbiah
Jan Walters
Mel Washburn
Joyce Winnecke
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Advisory Council
Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD
Robyn L. Golden, LCSW
Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD
Mary Ann Smith
CEO
Darcy L. Evon
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The Village Chicago is a social network of friendship, engagement and services for people over 50. We support all aspects of well-being through social engagement, an extensive services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational relationships, work and purpose.
2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700
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