INsights - April Newsletter

We so look forward to Spring, and this year’s arrival is indeed a welcome one. Within a matter of weeks, the trees and shrubs have sprouted beautiful buds and added some much appreciated color to our landscape. These colors, along with the warmer air and additional daylight hours, have been significant contributors to the undeniable positive energy that we are experiencing.

There are other contributors to this positive energy, including the knowledge that our COVID-19 statistics continue to move in the downward direction, the increasing availability of the vaccine to those wanting it, and the hope around the potential changes in restrictions regarding in-person contact with those we have not been able to be with.

Your Council, like most community organizations, is planning for and excited about seeing you without a computer screen between us. We will continue with the appropriate distancing, sanitizing, and safety protocols, as well as limited numbers of participants—but in-person activities and programs are slowly being added to our regular schedule. Support groups, educational sessions, wellness/fitness classes, and increased home visits are scheduled to return this month, May or June. Events, such as the SeniorPalooza and the JamFest will incorporate some in-person activities as we cautiously navigate these new waters.

This past year has been tough for everyone, but despite the challenges there have been so many positive connections and exchanges. The most humbling and exciting connections have been from community members wanting to share their time and, in some cases, expertise to assist the Council in serving the seniors and caregivers of Greene County. There were offers to pick up and deliver groceries, call or visit, help with technology issues—from learning the basics to troubleshooting computer, tablet and phone problems, and the list goes on. We look forward to expanding our services in partnership with these generous community members.

This past year has confirmed that we have much for which to be grateful AND that we need each other to get through the rough patches as well as to celebrate the joys. We are a strong and loving community and we are thankful for everyone who has helped in the care and support of Greene County seniors and caregivers and Your Council. Brighter days are ahead! 

SeniorPalooza ~ Celebrating Older Americans

Helping Others
Helps You

May 2021 is Older Americans Month and GCCOA is celebrating all of our Greene County folks at SeniorPalooza. Our theme is Going The Distance. For the last year, we have been very aware of distance: “social distancing” entered our vocabulary. The distance to our loved ones felt very far. Being unable to hug our friends and family has been almost unbearable.

Going the Distance means literal distances: how far, how high, how long. It can also mean going the distance to help another.

For two weeks starting Monday, May 10th, we will have a variety of videos, challenges, activities, trivia, and other events that you can participate in at home, out in the community and even a couple “in-person” with your Council team.

Come to the Go the Distance Drive-By in the XCC parking lot on May 10 from 1pm to 3pm. Pick up your Travel Bag with the Itinerary and more, as well as see your Council team.

Listen for the Song of the Day on WBZI daily at 8:05am starting May 10 and watch the other videos to be posted on our Facebook Page and our YouTube channel most days.

A Senior Field Day will be held in the field behind the XCC on May 20th from 1-3:30pm, but registration is required.  Brick &Baum will of course be there. Local celebrities will post short videos in appreciation of Greene County seniors.

If you would like to receive the SeniorPalooza Itinerary, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call.

Volunteering to help others can have big rewards for the volunteer as well as the organization or cause they are sharing their time and talents with. As volunteers, we make friends, learn new skills, experience something new, and even feel happier and healthier.

The past year of social distancing has been hard for volunteers and those who benefit from their help. But the opportunities to return to or start fresh with are starting to open up and we encourage you to consider if the timing is right for you to return to or start your volunteer efforts.

There are many opportunities to volunteer here in Greene County: the city of Xenia, the Ohio History Connection, the various food pantries, 4 Paws for Ability, Musiclink Foundation, and many more. You can make masks, clean trash from the Little Miami River, teach music, help at the Dragons game — the possibilities are as endless.

If you want to help, you can search online for volunteer opportunities, or check the site VolunteerMatch.org . Those interested in the Council can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 937-376-5486.

The Council has benefitted greatly from the help of our volunteers over the years. When we say “We couldn’t have done it without you” we really mean it!

The April Legal Chat Properly Titling Our Assets and Probate will be held via video chat on Thursday, April 15th @ 2:30 pm.

Local attorney Dave Cusack will guide us through identifying what assets we have – so not just our home and land, what options we have for titling and the steps to do so, and how this impacts the probate process. 

If you would like to be added to the Legal Chat email list, send a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

No reservations required! Drive up to drop off your confidential papers for immediate & secure shredding.

When: Saturday, April 10th from 9am until 12 noon

Where: Xenia Community Center’s parking lot
1265 W. Second St (next door to the Council)

What: Medical and financial documents and other private papers. Limit 3 banker’s boxes

Many Council members and volunteers will be there to help and will be glad to see you.

Many in Greene County are caring for a spouse, aging parent or other older loved one. The Council provides compassionate and knowledgeable professionals who can listen, share information, and help problem-solve. Support Groups can provide a caregiver with useful information, and a connection to others in similar situations. 

Caregiver groups return to in-person meetings in April while the 3rd Tuesday at 2:30pm virtual meeting will continue. We also have a new caregiver newsletter In Care of You. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When “Old Glory” has finished its term of service, retire that tattered flag the right way. Greene County Veterans Services (GCVS) now provides a drop box for flag drop off, at the Mall at Fairfield Commons, in the Armed Forces Hub on the lower level.

All flags collected will used in an official flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day (June 14) at the Greene County Fairgrounds. This event is sponsored by the Greene County Sheriff’s office. The first drop box location is at the GCVS office on Ledbetter Road in Xenia. Other places to drop off flags are the GC Sheriff’s office or any police station. The flag retirement ceremony starts with the National Anthem. The flag is respected then hung and burned.

Please join us in thanking these generous donors who shared time, talents, or financial gifts since the last newsletter.

In Memory Of:
Sally Maxwell     
Grace Roush
Barbara H. Symonds        
Jay Tieber

Donors:
Paula Adams
Marvin Barrett
Pat Bleidorn
Dave & Denise Bramlage
Cathy Claypool
Dorothy Douglas
Nellie Geis
Teresa Geraci
Cleva Haden
Joann Hausser
Jeanette Johannes
Tom Maxwell
Margaret Mercer
John Mullins

Lauren Myers
Virginia Pitstick
Joyce & Charles Sexton
Carol Smith
Joe & Pam Sowder
Maxine Tieber
Sharon Yeager
Yvonne Yeldell
Amazon Smile Foundation
Benevity Community Impact Fund
Fidelity Charitable Foundation
Kroger Community Rewards
Pizza Dive

Volunteers:
Cathy Brown
Tracey Rickey

We are slowly bringing volunteers back as we plan upcoming events, and will be seeking helpers for specific roles, including assistance with technology. Contact us for more information.

To ensure you receive information and alerts, sign up for our various mailing lists, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

◊ Weekly Programming with our Partners at Real Roots Radio, WBZI FM 100.3:
Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05pm
Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00pm

◊ Online Caregiver Support Group       3rd Tuesday @ 2:30pm

◊ In-Person Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups ~ contact the Council for more information

◊ Medicare 101 (for those nearing 65) ~ Wednesday, April 14th, 3pm—4:30pm @ GCCOA Office Reservations and masks required — This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 937-376-5486

◊ Drive-By Shredding Event ~ Saturday, April 10th, 9am-12pm, 1265 W Second St, Xenia

◊ Regular Updates and Information Posts on the Council’s Facebook Page and website

 Please continue to be on alert regarding the various COVID-19 scams. 
For more COVID-19 information, please go to www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ 
or coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home