Insights from GCCOA - June/July

Patience, as we have been told, is a virtue and something we find ourselves misplacing at times. But it is something we need to take seriously and practice regularly.

There is no denying that our patience is tested daily. Whether at the grocery store or local eatery, while driving around town and beyond, at our grandchild’s ball game, on the phone with a business or organization, on social media, and of course at home with family and friends.

We also allow our patience to be tested when it comes to changes and situations we experience as we get older. It is common to become frustrated with ourselves when we aren’t doing things as fast, precisely or effectively as we used to. When our memory fails us, we are quick to berate ourselves in some way, versus practicing patience with ourselves.

For those in a caregiving role, patience-testing opportunities are plentiful. And unless there is an emergency or significant safety concern, practicing great patience with your loved one will serve you both well.

More often than not, we react to what we see, hear, read and experience rather than processing what is going on and being thoughtful of our next step. It is so important to remember that how we react impacts others, the situation and outcome, as well as ourselves. And in most situations, we have control over our reaction.

Practicing patience is just that—practice. It comes easily for some and is challenging for most. It takes great discipline and a conscious effort to pause, think, and determine the most appropriate and helpful response to whatever is going or not going on. It causes us to look outside ourselves and consider the bigger picture. And it triggers questions like ‘what will be the impact of my action & reaction?’

So what will the patient version of me do? Will I bite my tongue instead of saying something that won’t be of help? Will I consider that the person with whom I am talking is having a bad day or month? Will I keep in mind that my uncle’s dementia makes it difficult for him to remember what he ate for lunch or to brush his teeth? And will I practice the same patience with myself when I forget my grocery list at home, it takes me days to get some cleaning done, or my bank account balance is off by a few cents?

We want to thank our It’s My Money presenters: 
Jerry Mahan
Matthew Bennett
David Peterson 
Dave Cusack

If you missed this event in March, the Fall series is set for October 3rd through October 24th, Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:30pm.

We have a new event for you: the Savvy Senior Expo. There are many things you can do as you age to improve your life. This expo will present information, demonstrations, presentations and more. There will be something for everyone! There is no cost and no registration is needed. Look for more information in upcoming newsletters, and on our website.

Thursday, October 19, 10:30am—3:30pm
Xenia Community Center
1265 W. Second St

TAPfit ~
Dancing for Health

Keep your body and your mind in shape with this innovative new fitness class! TAPfit uses the principles of tap dance to get you moving to a beat—no prior dance experience required. All routines can be modified to perform seated.

Tuesdays from 8:45am to 9:30am
Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park
District Headquarters
2751 Washington Mill Road

There is no cost but registration is required.

Call 937-848-3535 to register or visit bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org

It's Your Money ~ Do You Have a Plan for How to Spend It in Retirement?

As you approach retirement, you face the daunting task of transitioning from accumulating wealth to distributing it. A Retirement Income Distribution Plan will help you strategize withdrawals from your savings in a way that will provide you with a steady stream of income throughout your retirement while considering variables such as your age, health, financial goals, and risk tolerance.

Click here to read more.

A Great SeniorPalooza!

Special thanks to our partners: Real Roots Radio, Xenia Gazette, and Greene County Parks & Trails; Mayor Pam, Karl Colon, Ed Marrinan and Roy Hatfield for their talent/tricks videos; some great volunteers (Shawnah Tibbs-Sergent, Ken & Diane Bish, Holly Knight); the Senior Centers and to everyone who participated in this year’s SeniorPalooza activities & challenges!

You can see the videos, pictures and challenge winners on our Facebook page and website.

Shown below are our Walk as One at 1 participants.

Outstanding Senior Award

During May, which is Older American’s Month, the Council partners with the Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2, to present the Outstanding Senior Citizen Award. This year we honor a woman we know well ~ Mary Amlin.

A Xenia native, Mary married her childhood neighbor, Ron, and together they not only raised three children, but also worked together at their own business. Mary earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in Business from Northeastern State University. Her varied work life before retirement included owning and operating different picture-framing businesses; managing real estate; working for the US census; being a food store cashier, substitute teacher, and furniture store sales associate. The last decades of her working life she was a contractor at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

After retiring in 2015, Mary entered into a “career” of volunteering. Including the GCCOA, she has multiple volunteer responsibilities with

Greene County Parks & Trails and also shares her time and talents with Xenia Adult Recreation and Service Center, Community Action Partnership, WEEC & WFCJ Christian radio stations, FISH Pantry, and the Christian Family Fellowship Organization. Somehow, in between working and volunteering, Mary has traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Israel, Jordan, Greece and Turkey.

Mary is lovingly called the Energizer Bunny and she shows no sign of slowing down. She loves to make new friends and is the first to offer her help when volunteering. We appreciate Mary and celebrate her with the Outstanding Senior Award.

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

In Memory Of:
Patsy Campbell
Venu Gopalkrishna
David Shober
Ella Turner

Donors:
Marvin Barrett
Vernon & Gretchen Best
Gerald & Cherie Carroll
Savithri Gopalkrishna
Mary C. Graves
Kelly & Terence Herbst
Jeanette Johannes
Dan Juday
Sundae Ann Lausch
Jean Lockwood
Patricia Lundy
Lauren Myers
Sophia Neuhart
Rachel Scott
Charles & Joyce Sexton
Gloria Shober
Michael & Cathy Shober
Shirley Walborn
William & Diana Walker
Karl Werbovetz
Sharon Yeager
Yvonne Yeldell
Legacy Village Council
Kroger Community Rewards
United Way

Please join us in acknowledging the volunteers since the last newsletter:

Mary Amlin
Greg Atwood
Tingle Cook
Stacie & Kyle Davis
Debra Dircksen
Pam Dorsten
Don Dunn
Roger Hilbig
Jim & Linda Jones
Beth Kinsel
Holly Knight
Lynn Martin
Bill & Mary Ann McCaskey
Barbara McKown
Linda Parsons
Karen Paulsen
Tracey Rickey
Shawnah Tibbs-Sergent
Susan Titus
Ginny Vikmanis

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, June 14th, 2:30 - 4:00pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Scam & Fraud Prevention
       Thursday, June 15th, 1:30pm to 3:00pm, Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District 

◊ Legal Chat ~ Safeguarding Personal Information
       Thursday, June 15th, 2:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek

◊ Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
       Wednesday, July 12th, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Independence Day ~ Tuesday, July 4th. Council office closed.

◊ Grief & Loss Group
       2nd Mondays (Feb 13th, Mar 13th), 10:00 am - Noon, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek

◊ 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

◊ JamFest 2023
       Wednesday, August 16th, 4:00pm to 6:30pm

◊ 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