Big Day

The September/October newsletter is up today.  Click here to read all the news.

This is the first time that we have been able to offer a direct link to this on our very own web page.  Wow!

One of the highlights in September will be our September Sizzle.  We're putting the FUN into fundraising.   Gather up your family and friends - come and have dinner at the Cedar Grove Restaurant in the Town Centre.  For every meal ordered, the restaurant will donate 10% to LVSA.  Also, every Mountain Mohito ordered will generate $1.00 for us.  These funds will help us provide quality programs and events for the seniors in our community.   

There will be a silent auction and three (!) 50/50 draws during the evening.  This is your chance to come out, have some fun and good food while supporting LVSA.

See the sidebar for reservation information - and don't forget to vote in our poll in the sidebar.

Brain training

They say it's never to late to start exercising.  And I always like how I feel after an hour of tai chi or a brisk walk in the fresh air.  Our bodies are designed to move.  And so are our brains.

Brains always feel better after a good workout, too.  Like our bodies, they can work harder and faster.  And they just might last longer.   Training your brain is fun.  Many people like to do puzzles.  Or study a new language or learn a new skill. We can even play games on our computers which can challenge the little grey cells. 

In our house, we like to do puzzles with paper and pencil -  a pen if we're feeling clever.  However, we don't agree which is the best kind of puzzle to do.  One of us loves the word play of a crossword.  The other is much more numbers-oriented and loves Sudoku.   It seems that there are definite preferences. 

What is your favorite brain training?   Leave a comment; vote in the poll.

This week's survey will find out whether numbers or words rule.  Look for the poll in the sidebar.

Our garden

Our garden is a wonderful place to visit.  When Mollie Nye lived in this house, she had a marvellous garden which is well-remembered by those who knew her.  While this is not the original garden, it has been created with love for all to enjoy.

You can walk through it on your way to, well, almost anywhere.

 
Or maybe you would like to choose a bench - there are many - and sit down and watch the flowers sway in the breeze.  There are always a lot of bees working their way through the blossoms.  There are heritage plants from the original garden when the house belonged to Mollie.  Look carefully, as you walk through,  for the rhubarb plant or maybe the horse radish.  These were two of her particular favorites. 

It takes a lot of work to maintain a garden as large and beautiful as this one.   We have volunteers who come out and do a lot of  spring cleaning in the garden.  A regular waters the plants in containers for us.  And we have work parties.  One is coming up next Tuesday, August 10.  Call in at the house and sign up.  You could pull weeds, dead head spent blooms.  There's sure be a job to suit your gardening skills and abilities. 

What's in a name?

Our members range in age from 55 to over 100.  This is a huge range of ages and experiences.  And needs.

Ever since I've belonged to LVSA, there's been talk of changing the name to attract new members in the lower age range.  Some people want to get rid of that pesky word 'seniors'!  We go back and forth, talking and talking in circles until we come back to the same place we started.  And we stay there.

Now, I don't know if it's necessary or not.  I know a lot of people my age ( <65) who wouldn't dream of walking through the door of any place that offered seniors' activities.  I also know a few folks who are well over 80 who feel exactly the same way.  My father lived in a 55+ apartment building for a few years before he died.  He was so not interested in any mention of a program or event that might be age-appropriate.  He always complained that every one was 'old'.  I get that he needed a lot of life around him.  Life doesn't always mean kids.  In fact, they can be pretty darned exhausting with their energy and wild ideas.

Why don't I feel that way?  Well, I think words can't hurt me.  I know who I am and what I can and want to do.  I would rather join than stand on the sidelines and just watch because the group's name didn't fit with my image of myself.  The group won't make me 'old'.  Only I can do that.  Old is a state of mind - not a group of people.  I know some pretty hip and happening seniors who can run rings around me.  I say leave the word alone...I'm rollin' towards it.

So, what do you think?  If you have an opinion, take part in the little poll I've created to the right of this post.  It'll be open until next Tuesday.

Beginnings

I've got my tickets to ride.  Hop aboard with me!
 

As you can see,  there'll be food and drinks to suit every taste. We know that LVSA members are happiest when there are provisions for the trip.

This blog will highlight our weekly activities. And, I'll share random thoughts and information that I come across.   I hope that you will join me often as we travel along together.