Home Blog Page 57

Circle of Friends continues its work

0

By Dorothy Borchardt
Circle of Friends

Greetings Friends,

It is great to again be in touch with the Warner Park Community Recreation Center-Circle of Friends (WPCRC-COF) now that WPCRC is open.

We look forward to the time when we can all be together again, baking cookies and organizing other activities to raise funds to help keep WPCRC the best it can be.

The pandemic has changed things, but we haven’t given up on working with the city to advance the expansion of WPCRC and the addition of the aquatic health center after the recovery is complete. 

We are looking for a volunteer to get the COF webpage up and running again. If you are interested in taking this on, please contact me at dborchardt1@charter.net.

Membership in the COF is open to all residents who support WPCRC and want to be part of its continuing growth and success. Board members are selected from COF members who have the time to participate on a working board. Our board members are all volunteers; we have no paid staff. New members and volunteers are
always welcome.

Go Northside.

The COF is a nonprofit organization established to support the mission of WPCRC and ensure it continues to grow and serve the community.

Terrence Thompson, WPCRC Facility Manager

0

The WPCRC reopening is off to an excellent start. The WPCRC is open for limited access to community programming, open gym, game room, fitness room and facility rentals. MSCR Adult and 50-plus fitness classes will resume starting April 5. We will be phasing in additional programming and services as the Forward Dane orders relax the gathering limits. 

With one of the only public facilities offering full-day active recreational services in the city, WPCRC staff are working hard to meet the community’s needs during the pandemic. Thank you for your patience as we navigate through the constant changes and challenges during these times.

The WPCRC will be partnering with the Goodman Community Center Fit Youth Initiative (FYI) and Madison’s newest semi-professional basketball team, the Madison Mavericks, to host the Third Annual Spring Break-A-Way 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Series. 

After March Madness, the real tournament begins. Northside teens compete in a double-elimination tournament while enjoying a free meal, free skills clinic, live music and prizes donated by local businesses. Self-officiated games emphasize conflict resolution, sportsmanship and respect. 

With on-site registration, players can simply show up with two friends, or we will find a team for drop-in players. The tournament series is held on Friday nights, April 30‒May 28, 5‒8 pm, and includes middle school and high school divisions. 

The WPCRC now offers Silver & Fit and Active & Fit memberships, providing eligible members access to the exercise room at no cost through reimbursement by eligible health plans. Call 608-245-3669 to see if your health plan is eligible for a membership.

Check out our programs and stay connected by liking our Facebook page at WarnerParkCRC. 

April/May 2021 Senior Activities

0

Special Events

 These collaborative events are brought to you by NewBridge Senior Services, Monona Community Center, Madison Community Center and Goodman Community Center. 

Aging Mastery Program®: This five-week program encourages mastering behaviors that lead to improved health, stronger financial security and overall well-being through small but impactful changes. The program features local experts who will provide valuable resources, opportunities for community involvement, and a chance to meet new friends. The fee is only $15, thanks to a generous grant from All of Us, UW Madison. Registration for the Aging Mastery Program: To learn more about this program or to register, contact Deenah at deenahg@newbridgemadison.org.

Zoom Tunes: Join us Friday, April 23, from 4‒5 pm, as one of Madison’s local favorites, Old Black Joe (aka OBJ) plays some down-home blues and other fun tunes for your enjoyment. Registration for Zoom Tunes: Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for a link to the Zoom Invite.

Zoom classes

Bingo: Join us for some laughs and rollicking games of Bingo Fridays, April 9 and 23, from 1‒2 pm, with caller Diana D. Fill a card and win a prize. Play with your own cards or get them from Deenah. Registration for Bingo: Contact Deenah to sign up at least one week in advance to get your bingo cards and Zoom link, deenahg@newbridgemadison.org.

Book Club: Join us Wednesday, April 7, from 1‒2 pm, for our monthly Book Club discussion on “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral” by Barbara Kingsolver. Our May book is “Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. You are responsible for getting and returning your book each month. Lakeview Library is our home library and will have the books available there for pick up, or order books through your local library. Registration for Book Club: Contact Deenah at deenahg@newbridgemadison.org

Coffee Talk: Join Ruth and Deenah Tuesday, April 13, at 3 pm for a chat. Brew a cup of coffee or tea and join us from the comfort of your own home as we catch up. We’ll give you the latest NewBridge happenings, and you can share what’s new in your life. Registration for Coffee Talk: Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) and click Online Classes for the Zoom link.

Easy Yoga Plus Zoom Classes with Ellen Millar: Wednesdays at 10 am and Fridays at 1 pm. Join longtime yoga teacher Ellen for this popular class. She will gently take you through a series of exercises that can be done standing or from a chair. Check out her website for other class offerings and much more. Registration for Yoga: Registration is required. For details and to register, visit Ellen’s website (thewonderofyoga.com). Donations are appreciated.

Life During a Pandemic — a photographic expose’: Join us on this intergenerational and multi-cultural journey of telling our stories through photographing our lives during this pandemic from March 15, 2020, to June 30, 2021. All levels of photographers are welcome. Registration for Photography Project: To learn more about this project, get the dates for the free photography classes and to get involved, contact Deenah at deenahg@newbridgemadison.org.

Free Photography Class: Thursday, April 8, from 4‒5 pm, learn to edit photos on your phone. We will go through the ins and outs of in-phone editing and the amazing free editing app called SnapSeed. Go ahead and download the app prior to class, and we will go over it together. Sign up for Photography Class: Contact Deenah at deenahg@newbridgemadison.org.

Senior Stretch and Strength: Join us Mondays and Wednesdays from 9‒10 am for this gentle stretch and strength-building class with Becky Otte-Forde where you can learn and get active from the comfort of your own home. Registration for Senior Stretch and Strength: Contact Becky Otte-Ford at raonine@gmail.com or 608-215-4119.

Spirit and Strength — Seniors Sharing Wisdom in Troubled Times Through Their Stories: Tuesdays from 1‒2 pm. Join Pam Philips Olson, writer, storyteller and author of the book “Lechayim Lunch: Ingredients for a Good Life,” as we learn to speak our truth through telling our own stories. Registration for Spirit and Strength: Visit the NewBridge website (newbridgemadison.org) for a link to the Zoom Invite.

Technical Assistance: If you want to learn about Zoom or your iPhone, iPad or tablet via Zoom, contact Deenah to set up an appointment at 608-215-0000 ext. 3002 or deenahg@newbridgemadison.org.

Jim Krueger, NorthBridge Executive Director

0

Mental health and older adults

May is National Mental Health Month. During the pandemic many individuals, including older adults, have struggled with their mental health. One in five adults in America experiences a mental illness. More attention is being given to the severity of this issue and the potential impact it will have on communities as people get back to their routines.

We often misunderstand mental health because it is hard to define. It involves our social, emotional and psychological well-being. Mental health conditions impact an individual’s thinking, feeling or mood and may affect one’s ability to function on a daily basis. 

Mental health conditions are due to multiple causes, such as genetics, family history, the environment and an individual’s lifestyle choices. Prolonged stress from one’s job, poor nutrition, home life or caretaking role may also play a role. Therefore, it is important to take care of both our physical and emotional well-being. The more positive we feel about life, the better. 

Diagnosis and treatment of a mental disorder is more complicated for older adults. Symptoms of mental health issues like depression or lapses in memory are often dismissed as part of aging. The most common mental health issues NewBridge has recently observed in older adults are struggles with personality disorders, mood disorders, dementia and substance abuse. If someone you know is suffering from mental health issues, please encourage them to seek help.

This year NewBridge will begin a Mental Health Resource Program for older adults age 60 and above who are  currently receiving case management services for any of the Dane County Senior Focal Points. This program is intended to help older adults with chronic or severe mental health concerns who are not currently receiving mental health treatment services. For more information, please contact the mental health program staff at NewBridge 608-512-0000.

Lakeview Branch Library: April/May 2021

0

Madison Public Library is committed to the health and safety of staff and the public. Staff are working closely with the City of Madison and Public Health Madison & Dane County to be proactive and take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

All Madison Public Library buildings are currently closed to the public, with the exception of computer use, printing and curbside pickup and returns, all by appointment.

Lakeview Library staffing news

Lakeview has a new librarian. Hannah Majeska is a graduate of the UW-Madison Information School and has worked at Madison Public Library in a variety of roles, most recently as a multisite library assistant. She joins the Lakeview Library staff as a community engagement librarian, where she will provide reference services, plan programs, and work with community members inside and outside the library to extend library services and build community capacity. She is excited to serve the Northside community.

Voting in 2021 elections

Lakeview Library was a popular in-person absentee voting spot in the fall elections but will not serve as an in-person absentee voting location in the spring elections. Libraries that will offer in-person absentee voting for the Spring Election from March 23‒April 2 are Alicia Ashman, Goodman South Madison, Meadowridge and Pinney Libraries. Lakeview will be an election day polling place, however, and will be closed for regular service on Tuesday, April 6. for the Spring Election. Learn more at madpl.org/new/vote-madison-public-library.

Window shopping

To provide a safe browsing experience for community members during the pandemic, Lakeview librarians have created window displays of items available for immediate checkout. Patrons are welcome to browse from the outside and use the intercom at the library’s front door to request items from the displays. Items available through window shopping include books and DVDs for children, teens and adults.

Currently available services at Lakeview Library include:

Curbside pickup and returns

  • Call 608-246-4547 (curbside only) or schedule an appointment online for curbside pickup at Lakeview Library.
  • Service hours: Monday‒Friday, 10 am‒6 pm, Saturday, 12‒5 pm
  • Return books to the book drop 24/7.
  • Visit madpl.org/curbside for more details, online scheduling links, and updated schedules.

Reference assistance and holds requests

  • Call the centralized reference line at 608-315-5151 (toll free 888-266-7805) to place holds, request materials, or for more information about library services and online collections. Please note: this line is not answered by Lakeview Library staff.
  • Service hours: Monday‒Friday, 10 am‒6 pm, Saturday, 12‒5 pm
  • Ask us a question online at madpl.org/ask.

Computers, internet and printing

  • Call 608-315-5151 (toll free 888-266-7805) to schedule an appointment; walk-up service may be available. Learn more about computers, internet and printing services at the Lakeview Library at madpl.org/computers.
  • Service hours: Monday‒Friday, 10 am‒5:30 pm

Online events with Madison Public Library:

Madison Writing Assistance

The Madison Writing Assistance program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members, traditionally at libraries and neighborhood centers throughout the city, and now online. Their friendly, experienced instructors are happy to help people with their writing across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, creative writing and various forms of life writing.

All sessions are online. Learn more or sign up at madpl.org/engagement/writing/madison-writing-assistance.

  • Mondays 11 am‒2 pm
  • Tuesdays 2:30‒5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 4‒7 pm
  • Thursdays 4‒7 pm
  • Fridays 1‒4 pm
  • Saturdays 1‒4 pm

New Chapters in Community Health

Madison Public Library will team up with the All of Us research program at UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Book Festival to host a series of online author and community events about health care issues faced by underserved communities. 

UW-Madison is a partner in the All of Us research program of the National Institutes of Health. All of Us intends to build one of the most diverse health databases in history so that health care research and health care solutions are more inclusive. 

The first event features Brian Alexander for “The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town” Tuesday, March 30, at 7 pm.

Learn more or register for events at madisonpubliclibrary.org/new-chapters.