GCCOA - February & March Insights

Winter in Ohio… not everyone’s cup of tea. But for all of the challenges that it brings, there are plenty of opportunities to keep ourselves mentally and physically active and engaged. It just takes a bit more planning, motivation and creativity!

From the comfort of our own home, most of us have access to first-class educational, wellness and entertainment programs via our smart phone, computer, television, radio and the still popular ‘printed materials’. The options are pretty much endless, which is wonderful given our different interests and comfort levels.

A few of the best local resources to tap for online and on-air programs include Greene County Public Library ( greenelibrary.info ), WBZI and WYSO, many of the senior centers, and of course the Council. If you already use these resources, keep it up. If you haven’t, challenge yourself to do so, even if it means reaching out for some help—such as ‘tech support’ from a friend, family member, or the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We can also find inspiration by looking around our home. A book we have yet to read or wouldn’t mind reading again is on the shelf. Papers in the nearby plastic tote in need of attention. (The Spring Shredding Event is April 30th!) The blank notepad within reach for To Do, grocery and other lists we plan to make but often put off.

And through the window behind the curtains—hopefully open during daylight hours—you might get a glimpse of wrens, chickadees, cardinals and other birds: free entertainment!

It is also very important to keep moving, even if we can’t get outside or to another location to do so. We can stretch, march/walk in place, lift or ‘curl’ cans of soup, run the vacuum, dance to music, and all sorts of other activities to give our heart and other muscles a safe workout. You should always, however, discuss your at-home and away-from-home activities with your healthcare team.

For programs and activities outside of our homes, remember to check if they are still taking place as planned. Delays and cancellations are common, and it is disappointing to show up only to learn that the program has been cancelled. And why not try something new? One of the best ways to stretch our brain and keep ourselves mentally engaged is to try something new. There is plenty to choose from, including several options in this newsletter!

This is a free, six-week workshop to help participants learn to manage the daily challenges of chronic conditions. Held at the Lofino Plaza Meeting Room, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek, on Thursday mornings, 10am-12:30pm, from February 17th through March 24th. Health precautions will be followed. It's free, but reservations are required by February 10th. Presented by Jeff Schairbaum and Susan Finster. Contact Jeff at 937-376-5486 x112 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This is a free, six-week workshop for those living with long-term pain, or their caregivers: learn strategies to deal with pain, stress, fatigue and depression; using physical activity to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance; and more. Held at the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District Community Center, 2751 Washington Mill Rd, on Mondays from 1:30pm-4pm, March 7th through April 11th. Health precautions will be followed. No cost, but reservations are required by February 28th. Presented by Jeff Schairbaum and Lynn Martin. Contact Jeff at 937-376-5486 x112 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We invite you to show your work at our Senior Artisan Show March 13th, 20th, and 23rd at the Fairborn Art Association. The show is open to all artists at least 60 years of age who live in Greene County. You don’t have to be formally trained, have shown your work outside your home, or have a connection to any art or senior group. All artwork MUST be original and should have been created after your 60th birthday, with recent pieces preferred. Genres include paintings, photos, drawings, sculpture, mixed media and more. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to request your application.

Click here for a show flyer.

Mark your calendar and start setting aside those papers you want to safely be rid of! The Spring Shredding Event will be held Saturday, April 30th from 9am to 12pm in the parking lot of the Xenia Community Center next to the Council’s office.

We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of volunteers who share their time and talents in so many ways to further the mission of the Council. During December and January, some of the talents shared included helping with the Soiree, connecting with individual PIC seniors, support group facilitation, and budgeting assistance.

Please join us in acknowledging the volunteers since the last newsletter:
Peggy Blankenhorn
Cindy Clark
Pam Dorsten 
Leah Donohue
Don Dunn 
Jennifer Eddy
Pat Flanagan 
LB & Gail Fred
Barb Hawk 
Linda Jones
Beth & John Kinsel
Jean Lockwood
Jackie Markunes
Sherry Matsel
Chris Middleton
Lauren Myers

Sherry Newcomer
Mary Jane Nicely
Roger Panton 
Linda Parsons
Alan Puterbaugh
Joe Radin
Megan Randall
Mark Rath
Rebecca Reingraber
Ken RichardsonBarb Vandecreek
Ginny Vikmanis
Lisa Weinstein 
Polly Werth
Dee Willis 
Brian Woehrman

If you would like to explore volunteer opportunities with the Council, please contact Carol Kunze at 937-376-5486 x122 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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., and like us on Facebook.

For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or 937-376-5486.

◊ Medicare 101
       Wednesday, February 9th, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Legal Chat - Wills: Do I Need One?
       Thursday, Feb 17th, 2:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek

◊ Challenges of Living with Pain
       Monday, Feb 14th, 2:00-4:00pm, Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District Community Center

◊ Healthy U Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop
      Thursdays, Feb 17th-Mar 14th, 10am-12:30pm, Lofino Plaza Meeting Room, Beavercreek

◊ Healthy U Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop
      Mondays, Mar 7-Apr 11, 1:30-4:00pm, Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District Community Center

◊ It’s My Money Series
       Tuesdays, March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 6:00-8:30pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Senior Artisan Show
       Sundays, March 13th and 20th from 1:00-3:30pm; Wed, March 23rd from 11am-2pm
       Fairborn Art Association, 221 N. Central Avenue

◊ Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
       Wednesday, Mar 16th, 2:30-4:30pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Grief & Loss Group
       2nd Mondays (Feb 14th & Mar 14th ), 10am-Noon, Peace Lutheran Church

◊ In-Person Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups
       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

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

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