September 2026

Buy your tickets today!
Celebrating 25 Years of Vital Aging

We are excited to mark the 25th anniversary of the Vital Aging Network.

Join us for an evening of inspiration, fun and connection.

• Connect with others in fun activities
• Learn about VAN's history and vision for the future 
• Get some great deals in our silent auction

Saturday, November 7

4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Fairview Community

Health and Wellness Hub

45 W Tenth St, Saint Paul

** FREE PARKING IN ATTACHED RAMP **

This is a great opportunity to show your continued support for the work of vital aging. Bring a friend!

Tickets: $25



Download a flyer

Old-igarchy or not?

By Sherri Weiss, VAN Contributor

While perusing recent resource listings and opinion essays in the VAN e-bulletin, I reflected on self-determination as an aging asset, the economics of staying retired, the sense of purpose from unretiring, and the premise that workplace ageism impacts all ages. After reading a New York Times interview of Samuel Moyn, the author of Gerontocracy in America: How the Old Are Hoarding Power and Wealth—and What to Do About It, I began pondering this: Can it be true that we have an “old-igarchy” that is severely impeding how younger generations can succeed and prosper?

I have always believed that, no matter one’s age, contemplating the aging journey is a worthwhile exercise. Aging stereotypes affect all generations. How grateful we all could be if we Americans used our collective ingenuity to create policies and practices for an age-integrated society that benefit us now and into the future. 

VAN Forum

Shaping the Future of Healthy Aging

October 9, 2026 - 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Nichole Kain, with the State of Minnesota’s Healthy Aging project, will join the Vital Aging Network for a fun and engaging session on using stories to help shape statewide decisions.

As part of the state’s long-term planning team, the Healthy Aging project is working across agencies to plan the future of how the state supports aging.

Your stories, experiences, and ideas about aging will inform Minnesota’s long-term planning, identify gaps in current approaches, and help guide meaningful change.

Join us and make your voice heard.

Friday, October 9

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Ramsey County Library - Roseville

2180 North Hamline Ave

Roseville, Minnesota 55113

Google Maps

Another way to share your views

Courageous Change Collective is hosting a conversation for the Healthy Aging project specifically for solo and LGBTQ older adults and those who are caregiving for an elder. This discussion will take place October 7, 2026, 5:00 to 6:30 pm at Queermunity, 3036 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN. RSVP to info@courageouschangecollective.org. Download a flyer.

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Is Open in Medora, North Dakota

“In our government we cannot permanently succeed unless the people really do rule.”  
—Theodore Roosevelt

The library is well worth a visit and close enough for a long weekend excursion.

Upcoming VAN Events

Aging with Gusto

Apple Valley Seniors

Three Thursdays - October 1, 8, 15 | 10:30 am -12 pm

Apple Valley Senior Center 
14601 Hayes Rd. Apple Valley 55124

Call 952-953-2345 to register

Forest Lake Forever Well

Three Wednesdays - October 14, 21, 28 | 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Forest Lake YMCA

19845 Forest Rd. N, Forest Lake 55025

Register

Hudson Forever Well

Three Mondays - November 2, 9, 16 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Hudson YMCA

2211 Vine St. Hudson WI 54016

Register

Wellness 50+ Oakdale

Creating a Drought Resistance Yard

Monday, October 5 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Oakdale Discovery Center

Register by calling 651-747-3860

Blood Drive

Thursday, October 15 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Oakdale Discovery Center 

Sign up at www.redcrossblood.org or 

Call 1-800-733-2767

Fraud Prevention

Friday, October 30 | 9 - 10:30 am

A Washington County assistant attorney will share

strategies to identify common scams through phone

calls, voicemails, text messages and email.

Register: www.oakdalefun.com or

651-747-3860

Washington County Mental Health Outreach

Thursday, November 5 | 10:30 am - 12 pm

Learn about county mental health resources.

Register: www.oakdalefun.com or

651-747-3860

Learn Mahjongg

Saturday, November 7 | 12:30 - 4 pm

Learn the basics of this popular game. Limited space.

Register: www.oakdalefun.com or

651-747-3860

Enhanced Wednesday Walk

Wednesday, October 7 | 9 - 10 am

Personal trainer Susan Weum will lead a warmup and

instruction at the exercise stations on the trail.

Meet at the Discovery Center

Find info about our regularly scheduled events on the Vital Aging Network calendar.

Wellness 50+ Twin Cities

Kayaking the Mississippi River September 21st. This was our last paddle with Wahoo Adventures. Kerri Kolstad is retiring and closing her business. She led us on a gentle paddle down a channel of the Missisippi River putting in at St. Paul Park. We learned about the unique geology of the rocks along the bank and kept an eye out for birds. We celebrated with cake, ice cream and hot apple cider after the paddle. Thank you Kerri for the many years of guiding us on kayak paddles on local lakes and rivers!

Halloween Line Dance Party

Tuesday, October 6 | 1 - 2:30 pm

Monica Mohn will lead us on a holiday-themed line dance for Halloween. Costumes encouraged. Refreshments will be available while socializing after the dancing.

Join the Waitlist on Meetup

Fall Bike Ride in Scandia

Tuesday, October 13 | 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm

We will bike the scenic roads around Scandia in northern Washington county. This will be our last bike ride of 2026.

Register on Meetup

Night Hike at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

Tuesday, November 3 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Come for an evening hike under the glowing lights before the trails close for Nordic skiing. The park is free on this first Tuesday and no park pass is required.

Register on Meetup

Adopt a Road Cleanup

Thursday, November 12 | 1 – 3 pm

This will be our last cleanup of our adopted road section in Oakdale/Lake Elmo. Safety vests and bags are provided. Bring your own sturdy gloves. Washington county will pick up all bags we fill.

Register on Meetup

Good to Know

(Click the title to access the article.)

Loneliness is a Policy Problem

Ben Samuels, Substack

It’s well understood that loneliness is a crisis in this country. The CDC notes that 1-in-3 Americans feel lonely, and article after article  references the loneliness epidemic in the U.S. and around the world. Policymakers at every level of government aren’t doing enough.

Five False Election Rumors to Watch For

Brennan Center for Justice

Voters should expect recurring false election narratives to resurface in the coming months — and familiarize themselves with the facts.

10 Things to Know about Immigration in Minnesota

MN Compass

Nearly 524,000 Minnesotans are immigrants, a group that includes all people who were not U.S. citizens at birth. Numerically, this is nearing our state's peak immigrant population of 544,000 immigrant residents in 1910. This article from MN Compass provides an excellent picture of who the immigrants are and how they fit into our society.

Boomer Retreat, Smaller Gen X Thins Minnesota Workforce

Axios Twin Cities

Like much of the U.S., Minnesota is losing experienced workers and caregivers just as its aging population needs more of both. It also means a drain of institutional knowledge, leadership experience and mentorship capacity for younger colleagues.

3 Common Drugs Older Adults Might Be Overusing

KFF Health News

“Medications are like barnacles,” said Michael Steinman, a geriatrician at the University of California-San Francisco and co-director of the U.S. Deprescribing Research Network. “They’re easy to start, but they can be hard to stop.”

Are Your Savings Accounts Ready to Be Passed On?

Kiplinger

Your savings account could end up in probate if you don’t plan ahead. Here's how beneficiary and payable-on-death designations can make transferring your money easier for your heirs.

Have an interest in finances?

VAN is looking for an additional member for our Finance Committee. We are looking for someone who has an interest in financial management and some experience with business or nonprofit financial management. The position would involve meeting for an hour monthly to review financial statements and discuss issues related to finance. As our budget is small, our finances are straightforward. Email Mary Quirk if you'd like to help!

Communications Volunteer

Would you like to help VAN accomplish its communications tasks? Do you have experience with Constant Contact? Are you a social media wiz? Do you like to write or edit articles? We could use your help. Email Julie Roles if you'd like to help!

Help Sustain VAN's Work

Since 2001, the Vital Aging Network has been creating opportunities for older adults to gather and engage in the shared purpose of making our lives and our communities stronger and healthier.

Will you help put the Vital Aging Network on a path of stability for 2026 and beyond?

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