Vol. 15 No. 3 Mary-June 2016
Helping Hands Outreach • 101 Plymouth St • PO Box 293 • Holdingford MN 56340
Active Adult Activities Abound!
When asked what they consider to be major factors in maintaining a good
quality of life as they grow older, people rank living independently and remain-
ing active right at the top of the list.
Research has shown that social interaction offers older adults many benefits.
Staying socially active and maintaining interpersonal relationships can help
maintain good physical and emotional health and cognitive function. Relation-
ships and social interactions even help protect against illness by boosting your
immune system
We love helping make Holdingford and St. Stephen socially active, and in turn,
enjoyable communities for living. And we invite everyone to join us at our events.
Holdingford Lunch: every Tuesday, noon, enjoy a hot lunch at the Holdingford City Cen-
ter. Our cook Kathy Gerads is a great cook— dessert is always something special. Join us
for just a $4 suggested donation. Immediately following are rousing games of 500 Rummy.
Lunch & Learn Program: This program includes entertainment, education and a hot meal.
All are welcome.
Holdingford: first Wednesday of month from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Holdingford Legion Club.
St. Stephen: third Tuesday of month from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the St. Stephen Church.
St. Stephen Card Party: every Monday 1 - 3:30 p.m. at the St. Stephen City Center join
the group for an afternoon of cards.
Exercise Programs:
Exercise and line dancing: every Wednesday from 9:15—10:45 a.m. at the Holdingford City
Center. Loretta Fischer leads the exercise and Irene Schmidt leads the dancing.
Exercise class: every Wednesday from 1—2:30 p.m. at the St. Stephen Church Hall, pro-
gram leader Lorene Deford knows how to make exercise fun.
Outings: throughout the year we offer opportunities to travel together and enjoy a concert
or other event. These events are available at a low cost and sometimes free when grants
are received. Our bicycle surreys are available free to older adults throughout the season
and for rent at very low cost to everyone (see related stories inside this issue).
Frank Haynes Executive Director
Helping Hands Outreach Page 2
Check us out online at: www.holdingfordhelpinghands.org and our Facebook page, Holdingford Helping Hands.
Foundation
in
focus
Helping Hands
thanks the Cen-
tral Minnesota Community Foundation
Women’s Fund for their grant supporting
our direct services, health education and
caregiver programming in support of elder
women.
The Women's Fund was established to sup-
port programs that enhance the lives of all women and children, involving women as
leaders and donors in the process.
Thank you for your support!
Enjoy the
trail with us!
Helping Hands is of-
fering several oppor-
tunities to get out
and enjoy the Lake
Wobegon Trail this
summer. All ages
are welcome.
Walking Club: starting Monday, May 2nd at 6:00 pm we will meet at the Wobegon
Trailhead. Join, Donna Nentl, Joan Wenning
and Shirley Willoughby most Mondays for
some chatter and fun. We will meet the
first, third, fourth, and fifth Monday of eve-
ry month, not the second week.
Biking Club: starting Tuesday, May 10th at
6:00 pm. Join Norb Kollodge and Shirley
Willoughby at the Wobegon Trailhead. This
club will meet the second Tuesday of each
month.
Let’s go fishing
Helping Hands has access to a pontoon
boat through Midwest Outdoors of Melrose.
We are wondering if there is enough inter-est to reserve the boat for an afternoon
outing.
Call us if you are interested. The date and
time will be determined based on those
who are interested. Call 746-9960.
Helping Hands Outreach Page 3
Our Office Phone 320-746-9960 Our Office Fax 320-746-8132
Outing Opportunities: On the road again!
Contact us now to reserve your seats on our next two outings:
Ole & Lena’s 50th wedding anniversary show: Tuesday May 10,
Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud. $25 which includes a ticket and trans-portation.
Sisters of Swing (A tribute to the Andrews Sisters): Tuesday June 28th, Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud. Free to the first 20 people to contact us, funded by a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board and a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Her-itage Fund.
All trips depart at 11:45 from Helping Hands, 12:15 from St. Stephen Catholic Church and return around 4:00. Please pay fees (if applicable) when signing up because we have to order the tickets early. Call 746-9960 to get on board.
Koll a kind,
caring volunteer
Lisa Koll has been a volun-
teer with Helping Hands in
St. Stephen since Feb, 2014.
Lisa is a kind compassionate person.
She provides transportation to medical
appointments, errands and even helps
with shopping. She also waits at doctor
appointments and provides support to
those who need it. Our clients love her
and we do too. God’s Blessings to you!
Central Minnesota Arts Board
funds summer programming!
Helping Hands was chosen to receive funding
that will bring several arts opportunities to
residents of Holdingford and St. Stephen. This
programming includes:
Bus outings to the Paramount Theater in St.
Cloud in June and July (see June event
above, July event to be announced later).
Holdingford Daze: afternoon concert featuring
Kristofer Keltgen and the Riverbend Dutch-
men, Saturday July 9th on Main Street.
Community Concert: Paul Imholte folk singer,
date and time to be determined.
These events are supported by the Central
Minnesota Arts Board and a legislative appro-
priating from the Arts and Cultural Heritage
Fund.
Headly Hardware delivers
In support of our older adults and adults with
disabilities Headly Hardware will deliver pur-
chases made at their store free within a 10 mile radius of Holdingford. Simply let them
know you would like your purchase delivered.
You can reach Headly Hardware at 746-2973.
Board member opportunity
We are looking for a few dedicated people
willing to submit their name for nomina-
tion to our Board of Directors. The Board meets on the last Wednesday of the
month (10 months) to review Helping
Hands activities and guide the future of
the organization. If you would like more
information or to submit
your name call us at 746-
9960. Elections are in June
with the new year begin-
ning in July.
Upcoming Events Feet First Clinic: Holdingford City Center 1st Tuesday of the month. Con-tact Lenore Dawson, 320-249-7240 to arrange for a foot check-up.
Exercise and Line Dancing every Wednesday: Holdingford City Center, 9:15-10:45 am You will love how Loretta Fischer makes this a fun class!
Water aerobics/ Lap Swimming: Wednesdays 7:00—8:00 pm, Holdingford High School, fee is reduced for seniors.
Holdingford May Lunch: Wednesday May 4th, 2-4 pm, Holdingford Legion; program, 3:30 lunch. Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, Special music
St. Stephen May Lunch: Tuesday 17th, 1—3 pm, St. Stephen Church; program, lunch, Bingo
Holdingford June Luncheon: Wednesday June 1, 2-4 pm, Holdingford Legion; program, lunch at 3:30, we will announce the 2016 City Mother & Father.
St. Stephen June Lunch: Tuesday 21st, 1—3 pm, St. Stephen Church; program, lunch, Bingo. Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration.
Senior Lunch Program: Every Tuesday, Holdingford City Center, noon, $4 for a hot meal
and great conversation.
Water aerobics: This is held in the pool’s shallow end, No swimming ability is necessary. Life guard is on duty. May– Wednesdays: 5/4,11,18,25—7:00-8:00pm June-August:
8:00—9:00pm Sr Citizen Discount is half price, Call Community Ed: 746-4465.
Walking Club: Starts Monday, May 2nd @ 6:00 pm@ the Wobegon Trailhead (see re-
lated story in this issue).
Biking Club: Starts Tuesday, May 10th @ 6:00 pm at Wobegon Trailhead (see related
story in this issue).
Helping Hands Outreach Page 4
Helping Hands Outreach • 101 Plymouth St • PO Box 293 • Holdingford MN 56340
It’s Surrey Season!
Helping Hands has three bicycle surreys available for rental during the
bike riding season. These surreys make it easy to take an enjoyable
ride along the Lake Wobegon Trail and they are great entertainment for out-of-town company.
Surreys are available every day of the week. Simply call our office at 320-746-9960 dur-
ing regular business hours to make your reservation.
We have surreys capable of carrying from two to six people. Rental rates are just $20 per
hour. We also have our surreys available at area community celebrations. If you have an
organization or community interested in having the surreys at your event give us a call.
Special thanks to Ralph Harlander and Jon Westman for donating their time to repair and
prepare our surreys for the upcoming season.
Donations of Love
Helping Hands Outreach is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, so your donations
Helping Hands Outreach Page 5
Dorann Abraham
Rebecca Hlebain-Aaker
Douglas Aaker
Kevin Behrend
Dale & Kathy Bruns
Donald & Bernadine
Bartkowicz
Joe & JoAne Christensen
Blattner Family Council
Lenore & Myles Dawson
Robert & Johnita Dombrovski
Daniel Ebnet
John Ebnet Tony & Melissa EbnetClem &
Esther Ertl
Geraldine Fenlason
Robert Fiedler
Ron & Joan Frie
Geraldine Fenlason
Roger & Janet Gerads
Doug Legatt
Mathew & Karen Legatt
Willard & JoAnn Hedeen
Earl&Carol Hoffman
Joseph Katzner
Rose Kapsner
Dale & Karen Korneck
Evelyn Locnikar
Patrick & Anne Kuklok
Cheryl George Kuklok
Lee & Bernie Larkey
Karen Larsen
My Salon ,Roseann Vos
Raymond & Cindy Pilarski
Martin & Delores Pilarski
Philomene Stegura
Kathy Schueler
Jeanette Scepaniak
Marlene Scepaniak
Everette & Beverly Scherping
Roger & Marcia Schmidt
Jim & Julia Schrader
Jerome & Rosalie Schindler
Arnold Stueve
Alice Skwira
The Toro Company
Ralph & Mary Stich
Mark Suek
Michael Trettel
St. Wendel Sportsman Club
Teal’s Market
Stephen Woidylla
Marge & Bernard Wunderlich
Betty Mensinger
Ruth Vouk
Brad & Laura Wasner
Jeanette Woidyla
Donations Made to Celebrate Loved Ones
Dolores & Ed Kantor & girls in memory of Rita Kantor Stangler
Dennis & Violet Meagher in memory of Kathy Meagher
Art Jr. & Renee Harlander in memory of Theresa Bieniek
Alice Wiechmann in memory of Rich Wiechmann & Rosie Ostendorf
Florentine & Marlene Scepaniak In memory of Rita Kantor Stanglar
Delores Voss in memory of Vern, Kevin & Ruby Voss
Millie May in memory of Donnie May & Diane Scott
Duane & Ramona Hanauer in memory of Debbie Hanauer & Joyce Hanauer Deitschmann
Ralph Vos in memory of Agnes Vos
Debbie Bins Feld in memory of John Bins Feld
Carol & Butch Voss in memory of Eleanor Jacobson
Norman Streit in memory of deceased Streits & Kornecks Families
Madonna Nentl in memory of Melvin & John Nentl
Cathy Adolph in memory of Rodney
Kevin & Pam Johannes in memory of Leonard & Josephine Johannes
Helping Hands Outreach • 101 Plymouth St • PO Box 293 • Holdingford MN 56340
Helping Hands Outreach Page 6
Ways to Make your Backyard More Secure!
With spring here, the risk of falls with outdoor activity increases. Below are
some tips to help prevent outdoor fall hazards.
Be a Detective-Check your deck, porches, railings to see if there are any loose or buckled boards, rusty or missing nails. Look to see if there are any
cracks or spaces that could create a fall.
Say Good-bye to Slick Surfaces- Add abrasive strips or rubber stair
treads and use deck paint that has a rough texture. After a rain fall, be at-
tentive to slick surfaces.
Wear Sturdy Footwear-Wear shoes or boots with good treads.
Give your Yard a Check-Over-Ask a family member or friend to walk around your yard
with you to look for hazards such as roots, fallen branches, rocks or bumpy ground. When
strolling through your yard, be prepared and use a walking stick or cane. Keep it handy
and visible.
Follow this Step-Climb a ladder only when someone strong can be there to spot you. If
you’re at all wary about climbing, don’t do it.
Organize your Tools-Keep your yard & garden tools in a handy location.
If you need to search the garden, shed, or reach to high shelves or an
awkward corner, accidents are more likely to happen. Place items at
waist level for easy access.
Shirley Willoughby Health & Wellness
Coordinator
Helping Hands Outreach • 101 Plymouth St • PO Box 293 • Holdingford MN 56340
Living Well Class can help you live a healthier life
When faced with a chronic disease such as diabetes, heart condition or high blood pressure
the most important things to do are to understand your condition and become your own
self-manager. Living Well with Chronic Conditions will provide you with tips, suggestions
and useful strategies to deal with your illness and live a productive life.
Living Well with Chronic Conditions: Tuesdays: June 14—July 19, 1:00-3:30 pm -
Location: Holdingford Legion, Instructors: Shirley Willoughby, Lenore Dawson
This 6 week workshop will empower you to live a productive, healthier & more
active life. Topics covered include: goal setting, relaxation, nutrition, medication
management, exercise, communication & problem solving
A suggested donation of $16.00 per person for the book is encouraged.
To register call Helping Hands Outreach at 746-9960.
The services of Helping Hands Outreach are funded in part under contract with
the Central MN Council On Aging as part of the Older Americans Act Program.
St. Stephen/Brockway
Helping Hands Outreach Page 7
St Stephen Community Luncheon
Third Tuesday 1:00 pm.
At the St. Stephen Church Hall
Upcoming dates May 17th
June 21st
Join us and bring a friend!
Upcoming Events
Afternoon Cards Playing 500: Mon-
days 1:00– 3:30 at the City Hall
Exercise Class: Wednesdays 1:00—
2:30 at the Church Hall
Luncheon: Third Tuesday of the Month
1:00 at the Church Hall
Need assistance: call Karen
Interested in Volunteering: call Karen
Caregiver Support: call Denise
St. Stephen Contacts:
Denise Leahy: Caregiver Support 320-333-6442
Karen Skaj: Site Coordinator 320-252-5772
The St Stephen/East Brockway Expansion Project is funded in part by Benton Telecommunications Founda-tion. Thank you for your support in helping provide the services of Helping Hands Outreach in St Stephen and the surrounding area.
The St. Stephen/East Brockway Expansion Project is supported in part by a CS/SD grant from the Department of Human Services (DHS). Points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official DHS policy.
Helping Hands Outreach • 101 Plymouth St • PO Box 293 • Holdingford MN 56340
Help for Caregivers
Caring for an aging parent or someone with
a chronic illness can be stressful physically,
emotionally and financially.
To support our caregivers Helping Hands is
offering the program Powerful Tools for
Caregivers in St. Stephen.
Power Tools for Caregivers can help:
• Reduce stress.
• Improve self-confidence.
• Help you communicate your feelings.
• Balance your life.
• Help you make tough decisions.
Class meets once a week for 6 weeks at St. Stephen City Hall. Dates: Thursdays May 5th – June 2nd
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
*Respite available on an individual basis.
Ongoing Registration:
Denise Leahy320-333-6442 or Helping Hands office 320-746-9960 ($25.00 fee covers cost of textbook.)
Free Bus to Holdingford Daze
Saturday July 9 Helping Hands is offering a
free bus ride from St. Stephen to Holding-
ford Daze. Afternoon activities include a polka band, Bingo and a shaded tent just
for Helping Hands guests. Departure times
and details will be shared in the future.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
Paid Permit No. 884 Waite Park, MN
Helping Hands Outreach—Our Mission
“Our mission is to help create a healthy community where
older adults and adults with disabilities want to live and be
a vital part of the community.”
Helping Hands Outreach PO Box 293 Holdingford, MN 56340-0293
In memory of John Binsfeld
It is with sadness and thanks we reflect on the life of John Binsfeld who died on De-
cember 8, 2015. John was an Americorp VISTA volunteer who was instrumental in
setting up the Rural Stearns Faith in Action Programs and Helping Hands Outreach. John served on Helping Hands Outreach Board of Directors for many years. We offer
condolences to John’s wife Deborah, his children Gregory and Michelle, grandchildren
and family. John was a blessing to everyone he touched.
ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED
Inside:
♦ Outing Opportunities
♦ Volunteer Appreciation
♦ It’s surrey season
♦ Summer Concerts