EATON — Holiday hours: The Preble County Council on Aging, Preble County Senior Center and the Decade’s Diner will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25. Normal operating hours will resume on Monday, Dec. 28. We will also be closed on Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1. Normal operating hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 4.
HEAP assistance available
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of Community Assistance (OCA). It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating. If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit will depend on federal funding levels, how many people live with you, total household income, and the primary fuel you use to heat your home. In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company (or fuel vendor). Bev Shindeldecker, Preble County Council on Aging I&R Specialist, is available to help seniors determine eligibility, complete paperwork, and answer questions regarding
You can make an appointment to meet with Bev by calling 937-456-4947 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Scrapbooking Club to Meet
Do you have an interest in scrapbooking? Would you like to learn how to make a scrapbook? If so, make plans to join instructor Pam Barr on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Preble County Senior Center to. For more information, call 937-456-4947.
Healthy Living Exercises
This is a fun, gentle exercise class that will focus on increasing lower body muscle tone that will aid in balance and fall prevention, improving posture, and upper body strength to help with alertness and reaction time. Led by instructor Betty Huff, Healthy Living Exercises take place every Wednesday in December from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Preble County Senior Center, located at 800 East St. Clair Street in Eaton. Advance registration is not needed to attend the class. For more information, contact Betty at 937-456-4947.
New Year’s Eve Dance
The Preble County Senior Center will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Dance on Thursday, December 31 from 5-8 p.m. at The Grange, located at 500 Nation Avenue in Eaton. Music will be provided by Smithville South – a four member band based in southwest Ohio providing great music and a fun time with a unique blend of music guaranteed to get you dancing and singing! The dance will feature delicious food, with a $1 menu, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes. Admission is $3 per individual/$5 per couple. Call 937-456-4947 for more information.
Quilt Raffle Winner. Congratulations to Joy Sparrow, winner of the hand-stitched full-size quilt that was raffled off on December 11. All proceeds from the Quilt Raffle benefited the Preble County Senior Center.
Senior Center Mini-Trips
The Preble County Senior Center plans mini-trips for individuals who want a shorter, less strenuous travel day. Ten-seat passenger vans or smaller motor coaches are used for most mini-trips. Descriptive flyers are available at the Senior Center for 2016 Mini-Trips. Pick up and return to your home is available upon request. A sampling of the mini-trips scheduled so far for 2016 include: Monday, April 4 – Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield, Ohio; Wednesday, May 4 – Cincinnati Reds’ Day Game; Wednesday, May 18 – Presidential Luncheon Motor Coach trip; Tuesday, May 24 – Dayton Dragons Evening Game; Wednesday, June 15 – Veterans Administration Center; Thursday, June 30 – “The Lion King” (Schuster Theatre); and Tuesday, August 2 – Cincinnati Reds’ Night Game. Call 937-456-4947 for more information or stop by the Senior Center to pick up a flyer.
Volunteers Needed for Companionship Program
The Preble County Council on Aging needs volunteers for the Senior Companionship Program. You can assist our community seniors stay in their homes and live independently by providing help with tasks of daily living or providing a daily telephone call – both of which offer friendship and emotional support. There are two different levels of volunteers needed for the Companionship Program:
– Preble County Senior Center Volunteer: Provide in-home assistance or telephone calls. You can volunteer as often or as little as you like. You will be responsible for recording your volunteer hours and mileage on a monthly basis. Mileage is reimbursed at $.50/mile. For more information or to complete a volunteer application, contact Betty at 937-456-4947.
– Graceworks Volunteer: Provide in-home assistance. Required to attend a 20 hour start-up training at the senior center and one 4-hour in-service each month. You will earn a stipend of $2.65/hour (tax free) and $.30/mile. You must “work” at least 15 hours/week in the clients home. To volunteer in the Graceworks program, you must be 55 or older and your income must be lower than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For more information or to complete an application, contact Bev at 937-456-4947.
Thursday Night Weekly Dance
The Thursday Night Dance is held from 5-8 p.m. at The Grange at 501 Nation Avenue, Eaton. The Silvertones, a local band from Camden, will provide an enjoyable evening of classic rock & roll and country music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Band members include Michael Powers on piano; Mike Buckley, lead guitar; Danny Witt, bass; and Gary “Pete” Peters on drums. The dance features delicious food, with a $1 menu, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes. Admission is $3 per individual/$5 per couple. Join us for a fun evening! Please note: There will be no dance on Thursday, Dec. 24. Also, The Silvertones will not be playing on Thursday, December 31 due to the New Year’s Eve Dance.
Have you visited the Decade’s Diner for lunch? If not, you are missing out on this unique location with its distinctive 1950s decor and memorabilia, including a juke box and graffiti wall. Located at the Preble County Senior Center, 800 East St. Clair Street in Eaton, the Decade’s Diner is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Chose from the daily special, combo, or the regular menu. Don’t forget to order one of the delicious homemade desserts! The Decade’s Diner is open to the public and all ages are welcome. Carry-out is available. Call 937-456-4947 to place your order.
Many exciting events, trips, and activities are planned for seniors in Preble County in coming months. Check out our website or Facebook pages for the latest news. Membership at the Senior Center is only $10 a year. In addition to other benefits, members automatically receive our bi-monthly “Senior Scene” newsletter, which features all the latest news. The menu is also included in the newsletter. Visit our website for more information: www.prebleseniorcenter.org.
