Staunton Senior Center: Grandma Moses Inspires Listeners at SSC
Frank Johnston held the attention of over one dozen listeners at the Staunton Sr. Center as he described the interesting life of Grandma (Anna) Moses.
Frank has conducted extensive research on this artist that lived in Augusta County for eighteen years. Many of Grandma Moses’ paintings were inspired by her memories of her life in the Shenandoah Valley. This artist contributed to the development of the senior citizens movement as she is admired internationally for her work which she began in her mid-70s.
Anna Moses was also a clever business woman; she had a very successful butter making business as well as a potato chip making business and sold to the Greenbrier Resort.
May is Older American’s Month; Grandma Moses is a prime example of a senior who was very productive in her later years. Frank donated three very nice books to SSC on Grandma Moses so that we may further study and enjoy her life here at the Center!
East Rockingham Senior Center: ERSC Heard About Stroke Symptoms
Erin Morris, RN with the Rockingham/Harrisonburg Health Dept. spoke to 16 ERSC members, five guests and three employees on May 10 regarding the “Symptoms of Strokes” and “Keeping the Brain Healthy.”
Mrs. Morris regularly visits the Center and also conducts the yearly flu shot clinic for our group and the public.
This visit allowed Mrs. Morris to remind members of the warning signs of strokes using the FAST analogy:
F = FACE, ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS, ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH, ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME, if you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately. She also spoke about stroke risks and stroke prevention tips.
Concerning brain health, Mrs. Morris explained that staying physically active helps keep the brain healthy. Dietary tips to keep the brain healthy include using olive oil instead of vegetable oil, baking and grilling rather than frying, increasing intake of Omega 3 fatty acids and foods high in vitamin E, and increasing foods with high levels of antioxidants. Being socially and mentally active can also keep the brain healthy.
Members asked many questions and offered comments throughout the presentation and remarked afterward how much they enjoy Mrs. Morris and the useful information she offered.
Churchville Senior Center: CSC Members Turn Pennies Green in ‘Science for Seniors’
CSC members had fun turning pennies green and nails copper-colored in an experiment they conducted on May 10.
What at first seemed doomed to failure for the impatient scientists turned into a successful demonstration of chemical reactions through the use of salt, white vinegar, old pennies, and new nails and screws.
Pennies soaked in a salt/vinegar solution gradually became clean and shiny, looking almost new again. Some of the pennies were put out to dry without being rinsed; the others were rinsed and then put out to dry. The residue on the unrinsed pennies caused a blue-green coating to develop, the result of a chemical reaction between copper and oxygen; the rinsed pennies remained shiny.
After removing the pennies, our amateur scientists placed a new nail and a new screw in the solution to observe different chemical reactions. The nail eventually acquired a copper coating, and the new, shiny screw turned black. Tiny amounts of hydrogen gas were produced during this process, which visibly bubbled up from the metal surfaces.
Although the nail and the screw were relegated to the science experiment graveyard, members kept the pennies, which, even though green, are still spendable!
Staunton Senior Center: Sara Hollberg Presented ‘Super Natural’ Staunton
Sara Hollberg, Land Use Planner from Valley Conservation Council, was the featured speaker after lunch at the SSC on Tuesday, May 8.
Sara’s presentation highlighted beautiful, interesting, and special places in Staunton, each with a unique benefit. Members found it wonderful to view how local property owners have created spaces that offer recreation, clean our streams and air, shelter wildlife, produce food, or just provide us with respite and beauty.
The charming town of Staunton actually has some parks that members didn’t even know existed such as Woodrow Wilson Park on Sears Hill! Sara referred to”Quail Doughnuts” in the program denting the special doughnut shaped areas of rust colored grasses that have been planted in this area of Sears Hill to serve as a special habitat that quail need in order to live and survive. Quail, at one time, were quite prolific locally, and by planting these “doughnuts”, citizens are in hopes of attracting these birds back and increasing their population again.
East Rockingham Senior Center: ERSC Welcomed Substitute Van Drivers
ERSC members were introduced to two new substitute van drivers, Jim & Tommy, who will serve the HR Region as substitute van drivers.
Lisa Gooden, ERSC Director, quickly asked regular driver Gale to share his talent on the piano while the ‘new’ drivers were welcomed to East Rock’s version of ERSC’s Got Talent and asked them to share ‘their’ talent. As everyone joked about the van drivers having many talents, Jim and Tommy told about themselves and were given a hearty welcome from the 30 members in attendance on May 9.
Timberville-Broadway Senior Center: TBSC Attended Aging Gracefully Conference
The annual Aging Gracefully Conference sponsored by Rockingham Memorial Hospital was held Tuesday, May 8 in Harrisonburg.
Fourteen TBSC members attended the conference and had the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of exercise for older adults, Palliative Care and how it differs from Hospice, and over the counter pain medications.
There were also many exhibits from local health care agencies and businesses, and opportunities for free screenings for cholesterol, sight and hearing, diabetes, and more.
TBSC members enjoyed the event and many stated that they would like to encourage other Centers to attend the conference next year.
Contact Us
Paul Lavigne, Chief Executive Officer
Valley Program for Aging Services
325 Pine Avenue
P.O. Box 817
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(540) 949-7141
(540) 949-7143 fax
paul@vpas.info
