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IT’S NATIONAL SENIOR CENTER MONTH!

Each year, the month of September is dedicated as National Senior Center Month.

We couldn’t be more proud of our Senior Center here in New Hanover County. As you know, the County Commis-

sioners recently adopted the county’s very first Master Aging Plan which truly shows their commitment to the ag-

ing population in New Hanover County. Included in this 5 year plan are steps and strategies designed to better

serve seniors in our community and we couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of your lives. Every member of our

staff has a passion for what they do and we look forward to serving you each day. Join us as we celebrate Senior

Center Month with an Olympic themed celebration on Wednesday, September 8th beginning at 10 am.

We guarantee you’ll have a great time!

TIDES AND TIMES

A publication by the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center

The mission of the Senior Resource Center is to act as the fo-cal point for Aging Services in New Hanover County by

providing services which promote wellness, encourage inde-pendence, and enhance quality of life for all older persons.

Senior Resource Center 2222 S. College Road

Wilmington, NC 28403 910-798-6400

www.src.nhcgov.com

Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday

8:00-5:00 Thursday—Open to 7:00

Satellite Nutrition Location 4544 Parmele Road

Castle Hayne, NC 28429 910-798-6412

Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday

9:30-1:30

The Senior Resource

Center will be closed on

Monday, September 6th.

SRC Staff: Jessanna Adams Karla Bridgers

Margaret Bryant Marlene Carney Fred Concepcion

Ellen Connor Brigid Cotton Shantel Davis Becky Doherty

Julia Griffin Valorie Hatten Rebecca Hayes

Tina Hewett Dee Holmes Jeffrey Lee

Kelly Morgan Angela Olson-Boseman

Tom Pacelli Racheal Prosise

Estell Rohr Cully Shelton Amber Smith

JP Terry Pam Wall

Vicki Wells Larissa Woodcock

Andrew Zeldin

Kelly Morgan, Editor

Septem-

PRE-REGISTRATION CONTINUES TO BE REQUIRED FOR PROGRAMMING AT THE SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER.

HAVE YOU USED OUR NEW ONLINE PORTAL TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES AND ACTIVITES

FROM HOME? THE PROCESS TO GET STARTED IS LISTED BELOW.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER YOU CAN STILL PRE-REGISTER FOR ACTIVI-TIES AT THE KIOSK IN THE LOBBY OR BY CALLING 910-798-6450.

(SRC TRANSPORTATION CLIENTS SHOULD ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION PRIOR TO

REGISTRATION TO ENSURE AVAILABILITY.)

*ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BADGE IN TO THE KIOSK IN THE LOBBY UPON ARRIVAL.*

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Septem-

COUPS FOR TROOPS Coups for Troops, one of our dedicated RSVP volunteer sta-tions, is in need of manufacturer coupons to send to military families overseas. Hard working volunteers collect these cou-pons, cut and package them, and send them overseas Can you help? A collection box is in the Seascape Library at the Senior Resource Center. Please note—store coupons cannot be used for this program. Cutting the coupons is helpful, but not required.

NEW BOOST PRICES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1 Please Note: If you order supplements from the Senior Resource Cen-ter such as Boost and Ensure, there has been a recent price change.

To place an order, call Ellen, SRC Nutritionist, at 910-798-6412. Leave a

voice mail message if Ellen is not available.

When leaving a voice mail order, please include: What Ensure or Boost Product’s you want, and flavor(s). How many cases you want. Spell your last name, and your phone number.

These supplements may also be purchased at Kelly Medical’s storefront busi-ness at 3727 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC. Anyone can purchase these

products; no prescription is required. Please note that VA Military Retired can get Ensure FREE at the VA located near the airport.

For a complete pricing list, contact the Senior Resource Center.

Glucerna, Boost Glucose, and Ensure High Protein are not available at the Senior

Resource Center but may be purchased at Kelly Medical.

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THE 411 ON CLASS REGISTRATION Since we’ve re-opened in April, our most frequent questions are: Why do we have to register for each class? What if I register for a class but can’t go? Can I register the same day of the class and attend? Why do we need to badge in if we’ve registered? Now for the 411: Class registration—It is required for a few reasons. One of the most valuable is so we don’t over-book a class. Many of our classes and rooms have a limit of participants and fill up quick-ly—another reason to register early! What if you register and need to cancel—Cancellation can be done at the kiosk in our lobby or by calling 798-6450. Class cancellation is encouraged, so others have the ability to sign up for your spot if you’re not able to attend. Can you register the same day you attend—Yes, BUT… registering the same day as the class is risky! As mentioned here, many of our popular classes fill up early. Priority to attend a full class is given to those that are pre-registered prior to the day of class. In the case that a class is at capacity and you are not pre-registered, you would only be able to participate if spac-ing allows and all that are registered aren’t in attendance. Why do we need to badge in if registered—Even though you have pre-registered for a class, our system does not count your attendance unless you badge in appropriately. Tracking attendance assists us in planning for the future. We want to be able to share how many are attending our classes and also know which classes are popular or not so popular. An easy way to get the attendance numbers we need is to ask that everyone badge in as you arrive. We continue to work on improving our class registration policy at the Senior Resource Center, and are doing what we can to make your experience a positive one. Thank you for your pa-tience while we iron out the kinks in our process.

Septem-

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

The Foster Grandparent Program utilizes volunteers 55 and over at partnering locations throughout New Hanover County by pairing them with at risk youth who need a one-on-one tu-tor or mentor. Volunteers are provided an in-depth training, and a small stipend is available to those who qualify. Do you have a passion for helping children?

We are currently recruiting new volunteers to expand the pro-gram. For more information on the Foster Grandparent Pro-gram and to find out how you can help, contact Vicki Wells at 910-798-6408.

RSVP PROGRAM

The RSVP Program, our largest group of senior volunteers 55 and over, is always looking for more volunteers for the Senior Resource Center site as well as our many partnering locations in New Hanover County. Volunteer positions are available for those who are looking to give a few hours a week, a month, or more. Here are a few of our most recent needs. For more infor-mation on these opportunities or others, contact Becky Doherty at 910-798-6406.

** Airlie Gardens would love to bring in a few volunteers to assist with special events. ** The Arboretum is on the lookout for a couple of volunteers in a receptionist role and also has a need for volunteers in their sweet little gift shop. ** Love local history? Historic Wilmington is always in need of volunteers to assist at the Legacy Architectural Salvage shop (woodworkers, restoration gurus, sales floor and display assistants), and would love to find a couple of dedicated data entry volunteers to join the fabulous team in their office. **Good Shepherd Center has a great need for breakfast volunteers to help prep and serve from 6-8AM, and is also searching for folks to help sort food donations from 9-12 each day. **Elderhaus has opportunities across the board … if you have a craft, skill, or talent you would like to share or are willing to help chaperone an occasional field trip with staff members to a local attraction or restaurant for a few hours, your help would be deeply appreciated!

Do you have a library card? September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! Library cards are FREE to New Hanover County residents and property own-ers, students and teachers in any school in New Hanover County, and active

military personnel stationed in New Hanover County.

To register for a library card, please visit any library branch.

Libraries are hubs of information, which serve as the perfect place for life-long learning. Take advantage of their services! There are 4 libraries here in

New Hanover County—to learn more, contact 910-798-6300.

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SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY Have you ever helped a neighbor prepare for a storm? Being prepared is important for everyone. We all know to plan ahead for disasters as resources can be very limited during an emer-gency. New Hanover County's Special Needs Registry is a vol-untary registry for residents who may have additional needs before, during, and after a significant event. This past month AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers and New Hanover Coun-ty employees participated in a Special Needs Registry training. These dedicated staff and volunteers make phone calls to indi-viduals enrolled in the registry before an emergency is expected in the area. To learn more about the Special Needs Registry, read more at Ready NHC. If you would like to volunteer to sup-port the Special Needs Registry, please contact Becky Doherty at (910) 798-6406 or email bdoherty@nhcgov.com

Septem-

NUTRITION CORNER September is Food Safety Month. Older adults are at a higher risk for complications from foodborne illnesses. For some it lasts much longer than the brief bout of vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC estimates that foodborne diseases affect 48 million people with 128,000 hospitaliza-tions and 3,000 deaths in the US each year. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends the following tips to be food safe:

Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water – takes at least 20 seconds – especially when out, use paper toweling to turn off faucets Clean counters and sinks with hot soapy water followed by a solution of unscented chlorine bleach water (solution of 1 teaspoon bleach

to 5 1/3 cups water) Clean refrigerator once a week. Cooked leftovers should be discarded after 4 days; raw poultry and ground meats should be discarded

after 1-2 days. Do not rely on the food looking, smelling, or even tasting bad as an indicator of its safety. It can appear just fine but be laden with microbes and toxins

Keep kitchen appliances clean, especially buttons and handles where cross contamination can occur Rinse produce – even if it says it has been triple washed. Wash melons and other fruits and vegetables before cutting to prevent microbes

from transferring from the outside of the food to the inside When grocery shopping, bag and separate raw seafood, meat, and poultry from other items. Store them below ready-to-eat foods in the

refrigerator to prevent cross-contamination Separate food when preparing. Always use clean cutting boards and designate a specific one for raw seafood, meat, and poultry. Never

place cooked food back on the same plate or cutting board that previously held raw food Use a food thermometer when cooking to ensure food is safely cooked. If not eating right away, cooked food should be refrigerated soon

after preparation Keep foods at safe temperatures, cold food at 40° or below, hot foods at 140° or above. Foods are no longer safe to eat when they have

been in the danger zone (40°-140°) for more than 2 hours

You can get food poisoning from food that smells and tastes great. Bacteria can grow quickly in food that has been

left in the temperature danger zone between 5°C and 65°C C with no change in the food’s smell or appearance. When food smells “off” it is usually due to spoilage bacteria growing and they may not make you sick.

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Recipe Corner

Roast Chicken & Sweet Potatoes from Eating Well Test Kitchen

This sheet-pan dinner combines chicken thighs and sweet potatoes for a healthy dinner that cooks up fast in a very hot oven. Serve with a fall salad of mixed greens, sliced apples and blue cheese.

2 tablespoons whole-grain or Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

½ teaspoon salt, divided

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided

1 1/2-2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch wedges

Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 450 degrees F. Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to preheat. Combine mustard,

thyme, 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl; spread the mixture evenly on chicken. Toss sweet potatoes and

onion in a bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven

and spread the vegetables on it. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Return the pan to the oven and roast, stirring the vegetables once

halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into a chicken thigh regis-

ters 165 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes.

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CONGREGATE LUNCH Lunch reservations are required for in-person and drive-thru meals. To make a reservation, please call 798-6420. Our main SRC location offers in-person dining twice daily with a drive-thru pickup option. The Satellite location in Castle Hayne offers in-person dining on M-W, with a drive-thru pickup option, and we also have a drive-thru located at Veterans Park and at the Davis Center @ Maides Park. Maides Park offers meals from 11:30am-12:30pm. Please call 910-341– 7867 in advance to reserve a meal. For dining times and more information on our meal service, call the Senior Resource Center at 798-6400. Meal contributions are encouraged and accepted.

September 2021 Congregate Calendar at the Senior Resource Center

Septem-

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CASTLE HAYNE SATELLITE NUTRITION SITE

Our satellite Nutrition site is located at 4544 Parmele Road in Castle Hayne with operation Monday thru Wednesday from 9:30-1:30. To make a dining reservation,

call 798-6420.

Daily fitness classes at this location: Monday @ 9:30 - Line Dance with Sheryl

Tuesday @ 9:30 - Tai Chi with Angelo, Senior Strength with Gayla/virtual @ 10:30

Wednesday @ 10 - Geri-Fit with Annette

Registration for fitness classes is required. Please register online or call 798-6450.

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The following information, assistance and services are provided here at the Senior Resource Center: On-Site: Information and Assistance: Health Screenings Fitness and Health Promotion Legal Services Housing Assistance Insurance Counseling Tax Prep/Counseling Home Health Svcs Medicaid Benefits Transportation Support Groups Mental Health Hospice Care (General and Medical) Medicare Parts A,B Social Security Benefits Respite Congregate Meals Medicare Part D Adult Day Care/Day Health Home-Delivered Meals Disaster Prep and Planning Long-Term Care Facilities Senior Games Telephone Reassurance Rehabilitation Services Energy Assistance Food Distribution Home Repair/Modification Prescription Assistance Report Elder Abuse/Neglect This publication is made possible by the NHC Americorps Seniors Program, sponsored by the NHC Senior Re-source Center.

Contributions for memorials are accepted and appreciated to expand older adult services. Please contact the SRC Director, Amber Smith, at 798-6410 for information on gifting.

A hard copy of our Financial Report is available from Senior Center Director, Amber Smith, upon request. New Hanover County Senior Resource Center A Senior Center of Excellence 2222 S College Road Wilmington, North Carolina 28403 (910)798-6400 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED SENIOR SERVICE CORPS Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES INDEPENDENT LIFE SERVICES Home Delivered Meals Congregate Nutrition Site Care and Case Management TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Medical General