What's Happening at Whitney

It's National Senior Center Month

It's National Senior Center Month and we want to hear from you!

Throughout the month of September on Facebook we will be featuring a Question of the Week. If you have not - please Like and Share our FACEBOOK PAGE.

Each week, If you post a selfie and/or comment on the question of the week, you will be entered into a drawing to be held on September 30th. The drawing will be for a $50 Sam's Club Gift Card.

This week's Question to answer on our FACEBOOK PAGE:

What are your favorite activities?

If your group has announcements to get out, please contact Paula.

The Whitney Senior Center is open for many events. Check out the Whitney Times by clicking on the link to the right for the pdf or check out the offerings at:

https://schedulesplus.com/whitney/kiosk

All members please check in at the front desk and get an updated scan card and sign a waiver.

Link to Weekly Calendar on SchedulesPlus to See and Register for Events coming up.

Join us at this link for the Zoom Presentation. Call Whitney SR Front Desk for In-person at 255-7245

Join via Zoom at this LINK or in-person call WSC Front Desk at 255-7245

Need Assistance with your Health Care Directive?

Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the Month Via Zoom!

3rd Tuesday in-person is available by appointment.

Light the Legacy Volunteers will walk you through the form.

Here is the link to the form that will be reviewed.

Tuesday, September 15th
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Join at this LINK

If you want to watch the video ahead of time, click on here

TED TALK - "Why I have coffee with people who send me hate mail"

Özlem Cekic's email inbox has been full of hate mail since 2007, when she won a seat in the Danish Parliament -- becoming the first female Muslim to do so. At first she just deleted the emails, dismissing them as the work of fanatics, until one day a friend made an unexpected suggestion: to reach out to the hate mail writers and invite them to meet for coffee. Hundreds of "dialogue coffee" meetings later, Cekic shares how face-to-face conversation can be one of the most powerful forces to disarm hate -- and challenges us all to engage with people we disagree with.

This talk was presented at “We the Future,” a special event in partnership with the Skoll Foundation and the United Nations Foundation.

Tuesday, September 15th
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Join at this LINK

Film Discussion with John Augustin "The Go-Between"

Directed by Joseph Losey, The Go-Between (1971) is based on the L.P. Hartley novel first published in 1953, and was adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter. However, this film is much more than a traditional literary adaptation and combines a modernity of manner and performance with an exploration of a range of contemporary issues within the relative safety of the past.

Wednesday, Sept 16th
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Join at this LINK

Can join in-person by calling Front Desk to register at 255-7245.

Join at this LINK for Zoom Presentation. Call WSC Front Desk for in-person 320-255-7245

Facilitating Voter Participation

Humanities Lecture Series: Election Season Is Here Again! What You Ought to Know

Hey you! Yeah you! Pssst!

Have you ever wondered why we “waste” time, energy, and money by holding elections in the United States? In what way, if any, are elections important and/or relevant? What types of people vote anyway? If your thoughts run in these muddy currents, you’re in luck! We have some answers for you!

Please join us for a series of three consecutive lively humanities discussions around relevant, timely topics in U.S. elections: 1) History of Voting (August 20th), 2) Facilitating Voter Participation (September 17th), and 3) Implementation of New Programs in Election Administration (October 15th).

These specific topics, some relevant ancillary considerations, all nestled within a “burrito” of warm, delicious ethical considerations will be civilly discussed and debated. Whether your motivation is for your own lifelong learning growth (or your “crazy” relatives’, at family gatherings, lifelong learning growth) or to “one-up” folks at social (distancing) events, this will be fun. Free yourselves from the mental shackles of Plato’s Cave and come into the light of intellectual liberty! Shawn will join us via Zoom.

Shawn Schooley, Ph.D., SCSU
This will be offered as a combination of In-person (limit 15) and Zoom

Thursday, September 17th
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Join at this LINK Passcode: 901117

Join us on Zoom at this LINK

Fall Prevention Awareness Week starts next week -- Join Rejuv to kick off our Education Series on Balance at this LINK or in person by registering at WSC Front Desk at 320-255-7245

Register No later than Wednesday, September 16th to receive free starter Kit by clicking on this LINK

Aging Mastery Program starts next week - still time to register

Aging Mastery Program

The Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) informs, encourages, and supports you in taking steps to improve your life and engage in your community. The program empowers you to make and maintain small but impactful changes. It incorporates evidence-informed materials, expert speakers, group discussion, peer support, and small rewards to build skills and tools to manage your health, maintain economic security, and contribute in society. AMP offers 10 core sessions, each 90 minutes in length. Developed by the National Council on Aging.

Notes:

All participants must have audio and visual technology capabilities. This could be a laptop or tablet with a camera and microphone, or a smart phone. Details will be emailed to participants once they have registered for this workshop series and pri or to the class start date. The Whitney Senior Center will contact participants to practice using Zoom and have support for technology challenges prior to the start of the start date. This online version of Aging Mastery will be a "book club" format using the starter kit "Playbook" which will be mailed out to each registrant.

Mondays (10 weeks)
September 21, 2020 - November 23, 2020

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Register at this LINK

Visit www.yourjuniper.org to register for Classes offered through Whitney

Wood Carving Club

Please register at www.schedulesplus.com/whitney/kiosk or by calling the front desk if you plan to attend in person at 320-255-7245.

Zoom will also be set up in the room for those that want to join virtually.

Tuesdays
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Join at this LINK

Overeaters Anonymous

Overeaters Anonymous is a community of people who support each other in order to recover from compulsive eating and food behaviors.

New Members are welcome!

Saturdays
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Join at this LINK

Front Desk/ Registering System/ Calendar

For future reference here are the steps to pre-register for a class and to check out calendar of other events as they get added:

Here is a word document with screen shots of what it will look like - Click Here
Here is a video to explain the process - Click Here

Pre-registration for any in-person classes is available at https://schedulesplus.com/whitney/kiosk/.

Note in the future there will be a new registration process for the virtual fitness classes starting in September. If you have questions about the system, please call Paula directly at 320-255-7265 or send an email.

When you reach the SchedulePlus kiosk choose log in

Enter your telephone number
Select your name
Choose site calendar
Click on the arrow > to go to the August Calendar (You will see all of our activities
If you hover over the event it will tell you the availability
Click on the event/day you wish to attend and Register/Add to My Cart, you can continue to register for additional days & times (once you check-out you are registered for the date or dates that you selected)
Or you call WSC Front Desk at 320-255-7245 to register if you do not have access to a computer.

Please note that

What can you expect in the beginning phases:

There will be no drop-in's into the Whitney Senior Center in the first phases of opening.
Members will need to register for times to come in for classes, coffee & conversation, fitness center, etc.
Members will be welcomed at one designated entranced and go through the screening questions.
Members will check in and scan your membership card.
Mask policy will be enforced and required
Whitney Senior Center will follow the most current COVID CDC requirements and guidance.
In-person classes, presentations, etc will begin in September and details will be published in the next Whitney Times and through the weekly newsletters.
The next Whitney Times will be coming out on Saturday, August 29th (see above).
Zoom presentations and classes will continue to be offered for those that are not comfortable with coming in-person.
Sorry no card playing at this time until a safe plan can be put into place. However, if your group wants to meet to socialize, feel free to schedule a time by emailing Paula

Most of all - the Whitney Senior Center staff is excited to start seeing and welcoming you back into the building.

**Please note - there will not be Pilates on Monday, August 3rd - see you on Friday on Zoom.

Please continue to take advantage of the Senior Friendship Circles and the many opportunities to connect with us virtually.

If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to call. We are staffed Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30.

Updates on the Virtual Fitness classes through Zoom:
No Pilates - Friday, September 18th

At this time the WSC has decided that we did not want to complicate the online/virtual classes. The links will remain the same and you will not need to pre-register for the class if attending virtually.

If you are attending through Zoom, only SilverSneakers at this time will reimburse for these classes. If you have SilverSneakers please make sure to mark your attendance with the following links:

April, May, June, July, and August (just added)

Note: Silver & Fit will only reimburse for in-person attendance.

If you do not have SilverSneakers and are attending the virtual classes, we ask you to please consider making a donation of $3.50 per class which is reflective of the cost of classes for in-person. You can make a contribution by mailing a check or calling the front desk and putting on a credit or debit card at 320-255-7245.

If you are new to our WSC Fitness Classes and/or have not filled out your 2020 Fitness Waiver, please fill out at this LINK and submit. Here is the link to the SilverSneakers Waiver.

Reminder - Members are welcome to attend the in-person classes for the same classes and times listed below. Register on SchedulesPlus or call the WSC Front Desk.

Senior Yoga with Melissa
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 10 am to 10:45 am
JOIN AT THIS LINK

Gentle Pilates with Paula
Mondays and Fridays 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Note time changes to 1:30 starting September 4th
JOIN AT THIS LINK

SAIL - Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tuesday, Fridays, Saturdays 11 am to 12:00 pm
JOIN AT THIS LINK

Spring Forest QI- GONG with Jerry Wellik
Mondays and Wednesdays 12:00 pm to 12:55 pm
Register in Advance at this LINK

Yoga with Sally
Tuesdays at 9:30 am - 10:30 am at this LINK
Thursdays at 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at this LINK

55+ Driver Discount Program

Just a reminder Whitney does not take the reservations for these classes.

Please visit this SITE to find most current information, schedules and registration or contact the MN Hwy Safety & Research Center at 1-888-234-1294.

Resources:

The Minnesota Warmline
Need to talk? Someone is there to listen.
Open Monday-Saturday, 5 PM to 10 PM

651.288.0400

Toll Free 877.404.3190
or text “Support” to 85511

The Minnesota Warmline provides a peer-to-peer approach to mental health recovery, support and wellness. Calls are answered by our team of professionally trained Certified Peer Specialists, who have first hand experience living with a mental health condition.
The Warmline provides a safe, anonymous and confidential environment to connect with people who are here to listen…here to help.

Helping Minnesota’s Older Adults during COVID-19
Refer to MDH for COVID-19 Information in Minnesota

To protect the public's health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, please follow the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for the state’s most up-to-date guidelines and information: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html .

Call the Senior LinkAge Line Available at 1-800-333-2433
The Senior LinkAge Line will continue to be a resource for older adults and their families to call during this emergency situation. We can help people find resources and make connections with alternative services, if someone’s provider or support network has changed or temporarily stopped providing services. The Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA), Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) are working closely together to share information and ensure that all parts of the state have the resources they need to support older Minnesotans and caregivers.

Help for Older Adults
If you are on Elderly Waiver, Alternative Care or Essential Community Supports, contact your case manager/care coordinator to discuss your needs. If you are not on one of these programs call the Senior LinkAge Line for help finding resources in your community including:

Home-delivered meals
Grocery or prescription drug delivery
Help in your home
Transportation
Caregiver consultants and respite services

Need help with technology?
Ask our Computer Lab Volunteers

The computer lab volunteers have graciously offered to take questions and try to answer them for you. Send them an EMAIL.

Donations Accepted

A few of you have asked, so we thought we would include. If you find value in the programs being offered and would like to make a donation during this time to help support the Whitney Senior Center, you can mail a check to: Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303. We miss seeing you! Thank you to the kindness of those sending cards and donations -- it is greatly appreciated by the WSC Staff!

We are still collecting masks. We are also distributing the masks - one per person. If you are in need of a mask, please give us a call.

If you are looking for a way to put your time and talents to good use we are looking for community members willing to make and donate cloth masks for at risk community members. In partnership with other Human Service organizations we are asking you to consider helping with this important task. The link below from the CDC indicates how masks are used and beneficial. It also shows a number of patterns for making masks. Completed masks can be dropped off at Whitney Senior Center West Door (1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud) in the covered bin marked MASKS. The bin will be available Monday-Friday 8-4:30p.m. Please give us a call if you are willing to help with this project. We can be reached at 320-255-7245. We could use more masks for men if you are willing and still making.

Find our events and links on our Website.

You can also find these events on our Website Calendar.If you want to receive Calendar Reminders of Upcoming Events outside of this emailed newsletter you can subscribe to the icalendar.