Senior Connection News

The Senior Connection is a quarterly newsletter for seniors and those who work with Central Oregon's Senior population. In each issue, you'll find library resources, programs, events, and tips to support and enrich the lives of our 55+ community. If you know anyone who might be interested, please share and encourage them to subscribe. You can find all past issues of all our newsletters on our Newsletter webpage.

Be In the Know about Senior Services at DPL

Are you looking for an all-ages activity this holiday season? One of our Community Gift Wrapping Parties might be a good fit! Designed to get everyone involved in the gift-wrapping tradition, this is the perfect occasion to spend time with others while getting a mission-critical task accomplished! With sustainability in mind, we encourage participants to bring in old wrapping paper and trimmings to share with others. Registration is required to ensure there are enough supplies.

Upcoming Community Gift Wrapping Parties:

Reasons Why I Love Library Book Clubs

I absolutely love our library book club program! I may be biased—I used to host one myself—but they’re such a wonderful way to make friends, explore new genres, and learn about different topics. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you really should. That said, I understand book clubs can seem a bit intimidating at first. You might wonder, What if my thoughts don’t resonate? What if I don’t finish the book? What if I don’t even like the book? But here’s the thing: as long as you show up with kindness and respect, everyone is simply happy to share the experience together. I’ve been to book clubs where some folks didn’t even read the book and still had a great time—judgment-free zones, all around!

Here are a few more reasons why I love our book clubs:

1. Variety to Fit Your Schedule

With seven different types across the district, including one at Larkspur Community Center and another online, there’s likely one that suits your schedule and location. And you can join as many as you like!

2. Easy Access to Books

Copies of each month’s book are free, and there’s no need to check them out. Just pick one up at the meeting location about a month ahead of time.

3. No Pressure to Lead

Leave the facilitating to us! You get to relax and enjoy the discussion. 😊

4. Early Access to Popular Titles

Book club members get first dibs on A Novel Idea and Author, Author titles. So, if you’re a fan of our big reading events, our clubs are a perfect way to snag those books and discuss them with fellow fans.

We hope to see you there!

– Rya, Community Librarian

More about Library Book Clubs

Upcoming Library Programs:

November 16: Puzzle Swap, Downtown Bend Library

November 19: Enneagram 101, Downtown Bend Library

November 20: Cycle in Germany and Austria, Sisters Library

December 3: Shutter Holiday Card Making Workshop, La Pine Library*

December 5: Wreath Making Workshop, Sunriver Library*

December 15: Winter Salads, East Bend Library*

En Español:

16 de Noviembre: Al mal tiempo un buen cuento, East Bend Library

27 de Noviembre: Tardes en Familia, East Bend Library

*This is a free event, but registration is required.

A Novel Idea Unveiled: December 7

Mark your calendars! This year’s read will be revealed on Saturday, December 7 at the Downtown Bend Library. The idea behind A Novel Idea is simple: pick a great book, engage with community through thought-provoking and relevant programming, and wrap up the project with free and accessible visits from the author. We can't wait to share what we're reading together in 2025.

Are you curious about what books we’re nominated for this year’s community-wide read? See the list of contenders, here.

Around the Web: NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

The NIH offers a free downloadable magazine that presents the latest health research findings in a way that is accessible and applicable to everyday readers. The latest articles include “Home sweet home: Supporting a loved one on aging in place” and “Helping from miles away: Strategies for long-distance caregiving.” Works produced by the publication are not subject to copyright, so you are welcome to republish their articles in your newsletters or other publications as long as you acknowledge the source in your re-print. It is a great resource for senior assisted living newsletters.

About the Author

Maybe you’ve strolled over to the library, but have you ever joined one of its walking groups? Led by Community Librarian Rya, these lively outings are part of the library’s mission to bring health and wellness outreach to every corner of Deschutes County. “I love picking up right where our walking group left off and hearing about the cool, library-centric things customers are sharing,” says Rya. She plays a key role in supporting the Library’s Senior Services programs and co-edits The Library Corner, a publication connecting isolated seniors with community news and library resources. If you’re new in town, Rya suggests stopping by the library or joining in on community events. “You’re guaranteed to meet a friendly face and find something to keep you busy as you settle in,” says Rya. Recently honored by her colleagues as the librarian with “Boundless patience,” Rya’s poised to bring extra holiday cheer to upcoming events, including a festive gift-wrapping party that promises to bring the community together.

Thanks for reading and, again, please share with anyone else who you think would benefit from this information. If you have questions or suggestions about the senior resources at your library, feel free to email ryaf@deschuteslibrary.org.