Programming

Our Outreach Department typically plans about 30 programs each year for seniors.  They can include musical entertainment, games, educational programs, or something fun.  It is always a challenge to know what will appeal to our constituents and when is the best time of the day to host them.  Your feedback is welcome.  If you have a suggestion, please contact us.  We would appreciate hearing from you.  And, if you have the potential to lead a workshop, class or activity, we would like to know that, too.  Together, we can make a difference!

Senior Nutrition Program

McFarland offers a meal site and home delivered meals for people over age 60.  As Dane County reviews its budget for 2011, it is looking closely at locations where the meal program is underutilized. To ensure that McFarland keeps its funding, we need more seniors to use the site.  The meal program is available to all seniors, no matter what their income is.  The meals are prepared by a caterer and brought to McFarland for consumption.  It is a well balanced meal.  It is especially appealing for people who do not enjoy cooking or who eat alone.  Typically, seniors who live alone eat meals which tend to be those of convenience – cereal, soup, sandwiches, etc. – rather than balanced meals containing fruits, vegetables, food rich in anti-oxidants, fiber, and omega-3. Newcomers are welcome.  If every McFarland senior ate just one meal a month at the site, it would make a difference!

Contact Phone Number

If you call the Outreach office and get an answering machine, press 220 and you will immediately get to a place where you can leave a message. All staff has access to that phone “mailbox”, so you will get a quicker response to your message.

Try Out an iPad

If you’re like many seniors, you get a little nervous when it comes to hi-tech gadgets.  We often rely on our children or grandchildren to assist us in navigating this “modern” world.

The Dane County library system has loaned us an iPad for several months.  They want us to encourage seniors to try it out.  It offers many games, including Sudoku, to play.  So come on in and test it out.

Bocce News

Senior Bocce League
Senior bocce leagues are starting to be formed. If you would like to join a league, they will be offered on Monday and Wednesday mornings, starting at 9:30 a.m. from May 7 – June 27th. The fee for this 8 week league will be $30.  Please register through the Outreach office.

Bocce Play-Dates
Do you want to learn how to play bocce or refresh your skills?  Informal play-dates are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 22nd.  Bocce courts are located on March Road, near the Curling Club. Join us!

Senior Games

Wisconsin Senior Games offers competitive, non-competitive and social events in the Madison area the week of June 2 - 9, for individuals age 50 and over.  Events include: cribbage, euchre, bridge, sheepshead, bowling, golf, horseshoes, bocce and much more.  Registration deadline is Thursday, May 10.  For more information, contact Reggie at (608)274-6842 and/or visit the website: www.wiseniorgames.org

Seniors (age 50+) may sign up for the Wisconsin Senior Games bocce tournament, to be held on Friday, June 8th at 9:30 a.m.  Cost for general registration is $12 plus a $4 fee to play bocce.  Registration deadline is May 10th.  Contact either Senior Outreach or www.wiseniorgames.org to sign up.

Energy Assistance

Assistance to help pay for heating costs or home weatherization is available for people who qualify.  Call (608) 333-0333 for more information or to set up an appointment to apply for the services

 If you have run out of fuel or LP gas after hours and are without resources, or if you own your own home and are experiencing a problem with your furnace, call (608) 267-8601.

Euchre Sub Coordinator Wanted

On the third Friday of each month, starting at 1 p.m., we host euchre for area retirees.  Typically, we have a person who oversees the set-up, fee collection, and prize distribution for the afternoon.  However, there are times when that individual is unable to attend.

We are looking for one or two subs who are familiar with playing euchre and who would be willing to assist us with the euchre card party.  Interested people should contact Outreach for more information.

New euchre players are always welcome to join us each month.  Cost is $3.  Refreshments are served at the end of the afternoon.

Piggy Bank Fundraiser

The annual piggy bank fund-raiser for Senior Outreach Endowment has begun.  Piggy banks are used to raise money for the Endowment Fund.  Bank holders are asked to deposit their loose change in the banks through May, when the banks will be collected. Monies raised help to assist senior and disabled adults with special financial needs that are not met by any other program.  People interested in having a bank should stop by the Outreach office to pick one up.  Home-bound people may ask Outreach to drop off a bank at their home.  It makes “cents” to help our seniors!

If you have checked out a piggy bank, please return it to Senior Outreach by May 10th.

If you are a senior who has an unexpected financial hardship, please consult one of the Outreach social workers to see if you may qualify for an Endowment grant.

YOGA

Take a look at incorporating yoga into your schedule for 2012.  It meets Mondays at 9:00 a.m.  Cost: $8/session.  The 1st session is free for newcomers.  Here is a comment from one of the participants:  “I enjoy yoga because I get to relax an hour a week away from the hustle and bustle of the world.  I also like the stretching – it makes my body feel great.” Dee (student).

RSVP Ride Policy

The RSVP Driver Escort Program is a Dane County service which is coordinated by many local volunteers throughout the county. The county screens potential drivers for driver safety records, and funds the mileage for those authorized to drive seniors to medical appointments.  RSVP’s policy for all rides is that they are a last resort.  Family, friends, and public transportation are expected to be the first means of getting a ride.

Because of a shortage of resources (a tight budget and a low number of drivers), riders are limited to a maximum average of one ride per week for their medical appointments.  Although this may be a hardship for some riders, RSVP is providing a valuable service under challenging circumstances.  In 2010, RSVP provided over 6,600 rides for the county, which covered 338,000 miles of driving. This cost $169,000 for mileage reimbursement. We are grateful that this program exists for seniors.  For any transportation concerns, call Outreach.

Drivers for RSVP Driver Escort Program

Responsible drivers are greatly needed to take older adults to medical appointments in McFarland, Stoughton, and Madison. Schedules for driving are flexible, so volunteers can designate which days and times they are willing to drive. Mileage is reimbursed for this program. Many seniors rely solely on this form of transportation to get to vital appointments. Call 838-7117, if interested.

Homebound Library Service

Do you have an ongoing physical condition that prevents you from going to the library?  Do you live in Dane County outside of the Madison City limits?  If so, then you qualify for the homebound library service.  This is how it works:
1. Call 608-266-4419
2. Tell them what types of books interest you.
3. They select books for you according to your criteria.
4. They mail them to you in postage-free packages as you request them.
5. You return your finished books in the postage-free mailers.
6. They can also reserve specific books and materials for you at your request.
The library also has talking books, books with large print and CD’s.  Feel free to ask about them.

Lunch for Low Vision Group

Seniors who might be interested in participating in a low vision support group are invited to join us for lunch on Monday, May 14th at 11:45 a.m.  The menu includes ham loaf, baked sweet potato and broccoli.  We will discuss possibilities of forming a group and what activities the group would like to include.  Transportation to the lunch will be provided by our bus service.  Call us by May 10th for reservations.  Cost of meal is a donation.

Syttende Mai Celebration & Seniors Honored

A Norwegian “Syttende Mai” celebration is scheduled for Thursday, May 17th at 12:30 p.m.  Bruce Bollerud (former Goose Island Rambler member and Old Time Fiddler member) will lead with his Norwegian humor and songs.  His partner, Winston, will join him for the entertainment.  Cost is a donation.  Seniors wanting to eat lunch prior to the entertainment should make a reservation by   10 a.m. Tuesday, May 15th. Seniors who are in their 80’s and 90’s will be treated to the lunch as a part of the Older Americans Month celebration.  Menu will include baked cod, boiled potatoes, green beans, lefsa, and molasses cookies.

Stampin' Up Cards

Outreach is offering a Stampin’ Up session on Wednesday, May 23rd at 1 p.m. to create 6 cards suitable for various occasions.  A cost of $10 will cover the expense of all the supplies and the instructor’s time.  Interested participants need to register at Outreach by May 21st.

Diamond Jo Casino

Senior Outreach will be offering a trip to Diamond Jo’s on Wednesday, June 20th.  Cost of $20 includes the bus, $10 in casino cash, and a free meal.  Departure is around 8:45 a.m. and return is estimated at 5:30 p.m.  Seats are limited, so sign-up with us early.  Reservation deadline is May 31st.

Singles Over 70

The SOS Club will be holding their monthly gathering at 1855 Salon & Grill, 218 S. Main, Cottage Grove at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12th.  Single men and women over 70 are welcome to attend.  Call Bea by May 11th at 838-3060 for reservations.

Sunday Singles

Sunday Singles will hold their monthly get-together on Sunday, May 20th at 5 p.m. at Imperial Garden, 4214 E. Washington, Madison.  All singles aged 55 – 70 are welcome to attend this informal supper.  Call Outreach (838-7117) for reservations.

JULIETs

The JULIETs will meet for breakfast at the Green Lantern on Tuesday, May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. JULIETs (Just Us Ladies Iz Eatin’ Together) welcomes all women to meet on a monthly basis to socialize over breakfast.  This is a good way to meet new women and also stay connected with long time friends.  No reservations are needed.

ROMEO

The ROMEO (Retired Older Men Eating Out) Club will eat breakfast together on Wednesday, May 23rd at 8:00 a.m.  These men gather at the Green Lantern for good fellowship.  Newcomers are welcome to attend.  No reservations are needed.

Walking

For those of you who enjoying walking indoors during the winter, you may walk at Waubesa Intermediate School (5605 Red Oak Trail) from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.  Please sign in near the front door when you arrive.

Vegetarian Menu

Vegetarian options are now available at the McFarland meal site.  Please refer to “VO” listed in the menu for substitutes to the main entrée.

Thursday Salad Options

Salad options at the meal site will take place on Thursdays.  Each Thursday, diners at the nutrition site may choose to order a salad instead of the main entrée.  All salads are served with the dessert of the day.  Check with the Outreach Office (838-7117) for "salads" of the month schedule. 

Senior Newsletter Subscription

Subscriptions to the monthly senior newsletter are $8 a year.  Newsletters will be mailed directly to your home.  Free copies of this newsletter can be gotten through email, or found at the library, Municipal Center, and other McFarland businesses and churches.

The McFarland Senior News is now being offered by email, at no cost. Please contact the Outreach office to indicate your interest and to give us your name and email address or send an email with your name to outreach.dept@mcfarland.wi.us.

Transportation

This is a reminder that transportation for a variety of reasons is available for seniors.  On page two of this month's newsletter is a summary of options and fees.  Of particular note is the once a month “taxi bus”, which takes seniors to destinations of their choice in McFarland between 9:30 a.m. – noon, the second Thursday of each month.  The other options include rides to the daily nutrition site, twice a month rides to Pick 'n Save and monthly shopping trips to a Madison. Call Outreach to sign up for these rides. Rides to medical appointments can be scheduled through the coordinator, Mary Parks, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at 838-3072.  Cost for those rides is on a donation basis.  We encourage seniors to take advantage of these offerings.

Used Cell Phones

The Outreach Department continues to participate in a cell phone recycling program.  Bring your used phones to Outreach.  This is a fund-raiser for our department.