Dear Friends, Neighbors and Members,

Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation's observance of Older Americans Month. The 2023 theme is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. We thank all who honor our contributions, wisdom and experiences. 

But now It’s time to discuss how Chicago can combat ageist stereotypes. The first step is to recognize there is an epidemic of ageism in our city and country. 

Ask any older woman if she's experienced feeling invisible at the cosmetics counter and the stories will pour out.

Ask any older man if he has experienced being seated at an inconspicuous table in a restaurant and treated as if age is contagious—again, the stories will pour out.

While Skyline Village Chicago has been advocating against ageism since the organization’s inception, the world has been producing more and more ageists. We applaud the organizations that support the health and well-being of older people through programs that combat social isolation, improve nutrition access, provide family caregiver support or professional in-home care. But where are the programs addressing age equity? Who is championing anti-ageism?

At Gloria Steinem’s fortieth birthday party, a reporter said to her “Oh, you don’t look 40.” And she said, “This is what 40 looks like”. Before heading off to Botswana on her 80th birthday, she was feted at a “This is what 80 looks like” party. So the next time someone says “you don’t look 75,” say, “Yes I do. This is what 75 looks like.” Or when you’re in conversation with someone younger who says they have no intention of being 80 and

shuffling down the street with a walker, simply say, “This is what 80 looks like.”



In oh so many small but important ways, each of us can put a pin in that balloon filled with negative, ageist stereotypes. Click here to learn about Changing the Narrative: Ending Ageism Together. https://changingthenarrativeco.org/

Below you will find a New York Times article asking for your story on whether navigating the neighborhood is difficult for old people. Let’s give them an eyeful! Fill in the blanks and help the fight against ageism.

Skyline Village Chicago Board of Directors: Sandy Herman, Evelyn Shaevel, President Phyllis MItzen, Regan Burke and D. Clancy

The Skyline Village Board of Directors thanks you for your support throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you at our "Lucky Penny Lunch" on May 26. If you’re new or we haven’t seen you in a while, come say hello. And bring a friend! See below for details.

Add your voice to this anti-ageism project.

Do You Have Trouble Getting Around Town?

The New York Times wants to hear from you! They want to know about the bumps in the road, literally and figuratively, that you encounter when navigating the neighborhood. What could Chicago do to be more age-friendly and inclusive?

A narrow sidewalk, a rapidly changing streetlight, limited options for resting areas? What else frustrates you about the infrastructure? What would you like to change about the way the city is structured?

Click here to connect to the New York Times to register your views, complaints and

suggestions about getting around town.

Women's Salon

Lake Shore Park

Every Tuesday at 5:15 - 6:00 pm — Join anytime 

April - end of September, 2023

Meet at the Tennis Courts 

Pearson and DeWitt!

Meet us in the Park for Walk with a Future Doc!

Join fellow walkers in the movement of “parks as good medicine”. Medical students from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine lead walks and give short talks on health-related topics. Participants walk the track at their own pace following with a Future Doc. 

Thursday, May 4 - 5:00PM

201 S Ashland Ave

https://epiphanychi.com/

Pianist Amy Wurtz will be presenting not one but two programs at Epiphany Center for the Arts. First we hear her piano students in the annual Composer Discovery Project, where they each play a different piece by the same composer (this year we feature beloved William Gillock, who wrote beautiful pieces for students of all levels) and also share some of their own compositions AND artwork, research and other creative projects centered around Gillock’s music.  

Then at 7 pm the Wurtz-Berger Duo will play a concert featuring works by Tina Davidson, Alex Shapiro, Marc Mellits and one of my own works.  

Admission is free and all are welcome!

 Drinks and cafe food are available for purchase.

See Monica Eng at the APIDA Arts Festival

West African Dance

Center for Life & Learning

126 E. Chestnut

with Idy Ciss

Wednesday, May 10

1:15–2:15 p.m. (In person only) in the Gratz Center, Room 4G

Cost: $15 Members; $25 Non-members

Register for this course

Join renowned teaching artist Idy Ciss, of the Old Town School of Folk Music to experience the spirit of Africa through movement and music.

Idy Ciss comes to us from Senegal. He credits his grandparents with his natural dance ability; they were well-known in their village for their dancing, and it was from them that he received this gift. He credits the love and support of his family and neighbors as the catalyst which led him to the field of professional dance. Idy is a former member of Ballets

Africans. He has performed before presidents of several African countries and appeared on national television in Senegal. Idy is a full-time member of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, offering his expertise as a consultant, choreographer, and principal dancer. He has been active with the Old Town School of Folk Music since September 1998.

29th Annual Alzheimer Day

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Feinberg Pavilion Conference Center

251 E. Huron St, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL

In-person registration for the 29th Annual Alzheimer Day is now full. If you are still interested in attending, you may use the link below to register for the virtual event or add your name to our in-person waitlist. 

Northwestern Alzheimer Day was established to showcase Alzheimer’s-related dementia and aging research conducted throughout Northwestern and to bring this information to the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with community members and researchers over lunch and through the presentation of research posters.

Click Here to Register  

“Lucky Penny Friday” Lunch

Friday, May 26 1:00 pm

Nico Osteria, 1015 North Rush Street

Remember when we all got together for lunch at Mighty Nice? Well, it’s gone but we’re back! Join us at the Nico Osteria 1015 North Rush Street in the Thompson Hotel at the corner of Bellevue and Rush. Order from the menu. Separate Checks.

Registration Required

RSVP by email

info@skylinevillagechicago.org

Write Nico on the subject line.

Music Music Music!

Did you Know?

Music can: change your perception of time, shackle dementia, reduce seizures,

improve your communication, make you stronger, boost your immune system,

repair your brain, make you smarter, help with Parkinson’s.

With 40 degree winter days and some nice weather in early spring, you have surely gone somewhere, done something, in 2023; a far-away or local expedition to tell us about for the July-August issue of Skyline Village Chicago Newsletter. Please send it to judy.karlov@gmail.com by late June.

I Laugh Every Time I Think of This Incident

By Abigail Nichols

This picture includes my husband Carl Nelson, also a Skyliner, and my sister Karen Jacoby. She came down from Gainesville FL and spent Christmas Eve with us in Miami before we left on a cruise. The three of us were bundled up to go out to dinner - it was so cold and windy in Miami that even in these clothes, we nearly froze in the three blocks from our hotel lobby where this picture was taken.

My Seven-Year Expedition Toward Assisted Living

By Judy Karlov

In spring 2017 a geriatrician named Lee Lindquist MD spoke to Skyline at Northwestern Memorial Hospital about the fact that we all plan for next week, and we all have at least a vague vision of what’s going to happen when we die, but we don’t plan for the 10 or 20 or 30 years between. I thought: “She’s right, and I had better do some planning.”

Who? This planning will be for just me, so I don’t need to think about what a partner needs or wants.

Where am I now? I have paid John Hancock for decades for Long Term Care insurance.

What do I want? One of these days, I’ll ask them to pay me for Assisted Living. (I have read that people all imagine doing what one of their parents did; my mother spent the last 4 years of her life, aged 92 to 96, in Assisted Living at the Brookdale on Sheridan Rd.)

When will I be ready? I spent 20i22 repeatedly falling, and realized it was time.

Why did Assisted Living sound so appealing? I live alone and, especially since the pandemic, I don’t like seldom having dinner companionship.

So, on the hottest days of summer 2017, I went on the Grand Tour. Some of it was just online, but quite a few places were in person. When I got to The Highlands of Westminster Place, at the far northwestern tip of Evanston, I fell in love. I’m not saying it’s the perfect place for everyone, but it will be for me. Self-funders come into Independent Living, with or without Continuing Care on their own dime, but having paid for so long, I needed to take advantage of Long Term Care Insurance, and that never pays for Independent Living.

What I like so much about The Highlands of Westminster Place for Assisted Living is that the residents are first class citizens - fully welcome in all activities, dining rooms, field trips, etc.- differentiated only by the fact that we need a little help with activities

of daily living. My two children were grateful that I chose a place I like, when there was no

emergency, so they didn’t have to choose for me at a moment of crisis.

Claiming Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance, and understanding how to make the application compelling, isn’t easy. I was lucky enough to meet the president of an insurance firm that specializes in LTC. They sell it, of course, but he is happy to also help people who have had it for years but need a clue as to what the insurance companies

want to see. If you could use that type of help please email me for his name and contact info.

I learned that my claim was accepted the day before my 84th birthday! I couldn’t do better than that if I registered at Marshall Fields, as many of us once did for our weddings.

Come up to Evanston and see the whole 40 acres. Email me for the contact info of the right sales and marketing person for Independent Living or Assisted Living if you don’t

see their respective names on the website. I’m moving in in late May, so I owe you a follow-up report to my seven-year expedition to The Highlands in a newsletter in the not-too-distant future.

Adobe Lightroom

By Sydney Feuchtwanger

I have taken hundreds of photos with my iPhone 14 and edited them in Adobe Lightroom. They are how I experience Chicago; the people, street scenes and architecture. I like to turn everyday things in the city into pictures for people to enjoy. Sometimes the photos become abstract. I am working out technical difficulties so you can click a link on a future issue of the Newsletter and see all of my work, or at least a larger sample than fits in a typical Newsletter.

You have seen some of my pictures in past issues. These will tide you over until I resolve the technical issues for my collection of people, street scenes and architecture.

Many of our friends are back to in-person as well as hybrid and

online classes and events.

Click into their newsletters and websites for information

• Forward Chicago Website
• Beth Finke MasterTeachers™: Website
• Center for Life and Learning 4th Presbyterian Church: Website
• Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease: website
• Rush Generations Center for Excellence in Aging:  Website
• Streeterville Organization for Active Residents: Website 
• AARP Chicago Newsletter

Thank you to our Donors:

We are grateful to all of our members and donors for your on-going support.