Many of us are looking forward to a performance by our very own Monticello Senior Center choir next week. The concert will take place in the Monticello Community Center’s Mississippi Room on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m., and people aged 55-plus are welcome.
After the concert, attendees can enjoy a tasty ice cream sundae compliments of Willows Landing. There is no charge to attend, and those interested are asked to sign up in advance, 763-295-2000.
We have another event coming up next week that local history buffs are definitely looking forward to. Historian and photographer Doug Ohman will be giving a presentation called, “Uncovering and Saving History.” Travel with Ohman as he chronicles lost relics and history. With the use of simple tools, a metal detector and camera, Ohman has respectfully recovered and photographed artifacts that help us reconnect to our past. He will share experiences, photos, stories and actual relics that will bring local history to life. Ohman will give this presentation at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Please sign up in advance if you wish to attend.
I want to mention one more time that we still have openings on the coach bus to attend the Minnesota State Fair. The bus will depart our center at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 and leave the fairgrounds to come back home at 3 p.m. The $40 charge includes the bus cost and fair admission. Please call us soon at 763-295-2000 if you wish to go on this trip.
As of when I wrote this article, we still had a couple spots available on the coach bus to go to Prescott, Wis., on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore Freedom Park and visit the Welcome and Heritage Center and view the art gallery and exhibits that highlight the history of the area. There is a nice walking path with some sculptures and spectacular views of the river. Next stop will be to the Stockholm Pie Shop located in the beautiful historic Stockholm Opera Hall. Enjoy a special pot pie luncheon topped off with a slice of pie and a cup of coffee.
Please note that the group will be split up for lunch and some will have to walk up a flight of stairs and eat in the party rooms as the dining area is not large enough to accommodate all. After lunch, go next door to the General Store filled with the best Wisconsin has to offer, including cheese, gadgets and books. The last stop will be in Red Wing at the Confectionary to purchase some ice cream and other delicious locally made chocolates and treats. The cost is $87. The bus will depart the community center at 8:30 a.m. and return at about 5:30 p.m.
If you drive a vehicle and like to save money, read on. People aged 55-plus completing a defensive driving class can receive a 10% auto insurance discount. The class needs to be repeated every three years to continue the discount. The class cost is $25. All participants need to take a four-hour class and they are scheduled on Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop off or mail payment, cash or check, to the center in advance. Please note that refunds will not be given for no-shows.
You can call our senior center if you wish to take advantage of our Legal Aid service that will be held on Monday, Aug. 26. The Senior Law Project at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid provides free legal services to people ages 60 and over. This program can assist with many issues including Social Security and SSI; consumer, nursing home, and landlord problems; powers of attorney; health care directives; family law issues; and more. Please note that help cannot be given for criminal matters, wills, real estate transactions, or estate planning.
If you are a caregiver I hope you will consider attending the next monthly Memory Café get together along with the person you are caring for. The Memory Café is a safe and comfortable place where caregivers and their loved ones with memory loss can participate together. The café experience is free, and all supplies are provided for you. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at our center from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Caregivers have the option to attend a concurrent caregiver support group.
Last week’s cribbage winner was Larry Dammann, with Marlo Samuelson coming in second place, and Bill Lansing third. There was a tie for first place during the last euchre tournament between Dale Chamberlin and Cheryl Thelen and Jim Stewart had the next highest score.
As I have said before, our volunteers are the absolute best. They help with literally every aspect of the senior center, including serving on the Board of Directors. Nominees are needed to fill two seats on the Board of Directors. The term commitment is three years and will begin on Jan. 1, 2025.
The election to fill those two seats will be held on Friday, Sept. 13. The only requirement is that the nominee is at least 55 years old and has participated in senior center activities a minimum of 12 times over the past 12 months. Board meetings are held monthly and rarely run for more than 1.5 hours. Please talk to me soon if you want more information or to submit your name as a nominee.
Activities for the week
Friday, Aug. 16: 10 a.m. Women’s Pool; noon dinner; 12:30 p.m. Ask a Master Gardener; 1 p.m. euchre tournament
Saturday, Aug. 17: 8 a.m. – noon senior center open
Monday, Aug. 19: 7-11 a.m. Pickleball; 9 a.m. cribbage tournament; noon picnic; 1 p.m. bridge, knitting class
Tuesday, Aug. 20: 7-11 a.m. Pickleball; 8:30 a.m. Tech Support (by appt. only); 10:30 a.m. line dancing, choir; noon dinner; 1 p.m. hand and foot
Wednesday, Aug. 21: 8 a.m. ceramics; 10 a.m. Bible Study; 10:30 a.m. Uncovering and Saving History presentation; noon dinner; 1 p.m. 500; 1:30 p.m. Memory Café
Thursday, Aug. 22: 7-11 a.m. Pickleball; 9 a.m. bike group; 10 a.m. painting class; 10:30 a.m. Caregiver One on One, bingo; noon dinner; 1 p.m. bridge, Choir Concert & Ice Cream
Friday, Aug. 23: 10 a.m. Women’s Pool; noon dinner; 1 p.m. euchre tournament
Dinner program menu
Monday, Aug. 19: No meal today
Tuesday, Aug. 20: Sweet & sour chicken, egg roll, fried rice, fortune cookie
Wednesday, Aug. 21: Penne pasta with meatballs, salad, breadstick
Thursday, Aug. 22: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, dinner roll
Friday, Aug. 23: Chicken alfredo, garlic toast
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