Golden Review
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- Awards Presented with Presidential Flair
- Getting to Know Your Tallahassee Senior Foundation Board
- New Ambassadors Program Makes Sure Visitors Receive a Warm Welcome
- TSC Library Offers a Calm Haven for Reading, Browsing
- Capital City Senior Games debuts in May 2010
- Photo Frenzy
- Daily Activities Schedule
- Special Events
- Health and Fitness
- Tallahassee Senior Center for the Arts
- Tallahassee Senior Services Southside
- Tallahassee Senior Services at Lincoln Center
- Tallahassee Senior Center at Heritage Oaks
- Volunteer Opportunities
- TSC Foundation News
Awards Presented with Presidential Flair
"The Presidential Awards recognize the commitment level of our volunteers who so generously give of their time to help others through our positive aging programs," Sheila Salyer, manager of Tallahassee Senior Services, said. "At our very heart, you find volunteers serving selflessly."
Volunteer coordinator Gena Varn, proudly added, "The senior center relies heavily upon volunteers, and we think they are each award winners. It's with their support, we are able to accomplish so much more." More than 300 individuals contributed nearly 21,000 hours in the past year as receptionists, class instructors, advisors, health assistants and other jobs for a value of $376,918 to the Tallahassee Senior Center.
Sponsors of this popular event include Club 50 Fitness; Jonathan Walker, LMT; Desloge Home Oxygen; and Holiday Cruises and Tours.
Getting to Know Your Tallahassee Senior Foundation Board
You probably know a crafter, an attorney, a former social worker, a mother of two adult daughters, a boss of her own firm, and a Tallahassee community board member. But if you know Gwendolyn Spencer, you know all of these rolled into one amazingly dynamic woman.
Her professional life alone continues as a fascinating journey. Equipped with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut, Gwendolyn Spencer has always been attracted to public service. She worked for two Florida Governors, Graham and Martinez, in community-related affairs. "In fact," she says, "Governor Martinez wrote my recommendation letter for law school admission to Iowa!"
But the pull of Tallahassee remained strong. After all, her husband's family was from here; so Gwendolyn returned to open a law practice focusing on wills, estate planning, trusteeships, and other issues of concern to seniors. She also employs her two daughters from time to time. When asked how the mother in her got along with the boss in her, she laughs: "You know it's funny. I am very particular and they know how I want things done. There is no discussion. But when we leave the office or when we go to lunch, we are mother and daughter again. One of my daughters started with me when she was still in high school. She is now in her last year of law school at FSU. To me it is comforting to know that things are in good hands when I have to leave the office."
In her spare time Gwendolyn likes to read, browsing through bookstores and Goodwill stores for mostly inspirational and motivational books. And then she loves to craft. She is very creative, inventing her own patterns, reinventing favorite old objects into new uses, and combining interesting materials. "I give most of the items away to family or friends. I crocheted lap blankets for people in wheelchairs, I fashioned Christmas ornaments and tote bags. Right now I'm working on a dark blue fleece blanket lined with batting and I am doing an appliqué of a cream-colored angel-when it's done, features and hair will lend it a three-dimensional aspect." How does she find time for such exacting work? She says it's therapeutic. After a stressful workday she enjoys the solitude, and the creativity.
In addition, she finds time to work as a visiting instructor at FAMU, supervising interns for the Master's level Social Work program. But Gwendolyn Spencer is proudest when she talks about her service on the Tallahassee Senior Foundation Board. Except for a short time when she resigned to take care for her terminally ill mother, Gwendolyn has been an asset to the Board for years. She serves on several Board committees that tap directly into her expertise, such as Budget and Audit, Personnel, and Facility Expansion. While she first got interested in fund raising for the remodeling of the "Old Armory" (she remembers attending skating and birthday parties here), she quickly became entranced with the programs and the variety of offerings local seniors enjoy in Tallahassee and in the rural areas. "The definition of what a senior is has changed over the years," she says. "And through the Tallahassee Senior Foundation Board I am proud to be a part in meeting the social, educational, and fellowship needs of today's seniors."
New Ambassadors Program Makes Sure Visitors Receive a Warm Welcome
Visitors to the Senior Center get a first-class welcome. The popular new ambassadors program began about a month ago and is coordinated by TSC advisory council member Patty Parkhurst. Parkhurst beams when asked about the center's new service. "Everyone just loves it," she reported.
The center's ambassadors, in addition to a warm welcome and an introduction to services and opportunities at the center and its 14 satellite sites, also explain benefits of Tallahassee Senior Foundation membership.
"Each of our volunteers brings a unique element to the program," said Parkhurst. Among the happy greeters you will find individuals from all walks of life and with experiences they sometimes share. Mary Smith is a veteran and center volunteer; Pat Thomas, an active community volunteer, leads Canasta at the center; Nancy Graham and Linda Roberts are both recent graduates of the center's Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders (TALL) program. Also greeting: Al Sulkes, an historian and admired lifelong learning instructor; Tom Hart, watercolor artist; and Don Weed-bridge, exercise and pool participant. Richard Decoteau, whose wife Lois, leads the quilters, volunteers his time too. And, of course, Parkhurst's smile is the first thing many new faces see as they walk through the doors of the Old Armory.
Ambassadors take their assignment quite seriously and ensure that a visitor's first impression is personalized, informative, interesting-and most often, entertaining. Guests are guided around the Old Armory, provided with a bit of history that goes with occupying the former home of Leon County's National Guard. New participants are introduced to programs, and invited to return for the next Newcomers Reception.
Everyone can come to the senior center and experience something of interest. It's not just "grandma's place" to hang out. While computer classes are limited to individuals 55+, other classes-art, lifelong learning, exercise, dance, bridge and more-are open to members of the community.
Parkhurst and volunteer Eleanor Desalme also host a once-a-month Newcomers orientation for those who want to meet others new to the senior center. Upcoming Newcomers receptions are October 13 and November 10, 11:00am - 12:00n.
TSC Library Offers a Calm Haven for Reading, Browsing
By: Eunjeong "Jessy" Han
Tiny pots of flowers sit atop each bistro-style table. Sunlight streams in through the window casting a cheerful dancing beam across the room. Stepping in, you see bookshelves filled with books neatly aligned-soft cover, hard cover and even large-print books.
Pick any book: biography, history, mystery, romance, science fiction, westerns. Sip coffee and flip through a few pages. Read your choice book here or take it home, you're welcome to do so. No check out. All you need to do is return the book (or books) at your convenience.
The room is cozy, organized with careful consideration for seniors and set be a multi-purpose room. "You can hang out in the library with tea or coffee, make friends, have a small meeting, or just read," says Susan Freeman, the volunteer librarian who's been here more than a decade. "You can even bring your lunch in from the dining room," Susan adds. (A nutritious salad bar is served at the Senior Center for $4; side salad is only $2.)
"The Senior Center library operates on the honor system." says Katie Moore, a dedicated volunteer. "While sometimes books walk out the door and never come back, most return."
"We're very fortunate." says Susan. "We have devoted volunteers including Katie, Ginny Smoller, and Joe Smith. We all work part-time to make the library a great place to want to be. All of our books are donated. We have one special donor, Karma Gleason who provides us several new books off the Internet every month." Susan adds, "We welcome donations: coffee table books, large-print books, recent magazines, and other reading materials. We also try to respond to what readers request and use the guidance of the best-seller list in USA Today."
The library is a little sanctuary. It's quiet and comfortable. Surround yourself with books and escape with your favorite character.
Capital City Senior Games debuts in May 2010
Tallahassee senior athletes now have the opportunity to compete in the Florida Senior Games. The Capital City Senior Games debuts May 20-24 at various Tallahassee sporting venues. The Capital City Senior Games were officially sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation at its annual Florida Senior Games workshop in Orlando last month.
The games will feature competition in 15 sports including archery, badminton, basketball shooting, billiards, bowling, bridge, cycling (time trials), golf, power lifting, race walk, racquetball, 5K road race, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and track & field.
Senior athletes, 50 and over, will compete in age groups of five years, beginning with 50-54 and increasing from there. The top five finishers in each group will qualify for the Florida Senior Games State Championships, to be held in Lee County and the City of Cape Coral, in December 2010.
The Capital City Senior Games joins a roster of more than 20 Florida Senior Games competitions around the state. The Tallahassee area will host the only springtime local games in North Florida. Gainesville, Jacksonville and Pensacola will host games in fall 2010.
For more information about the Capital City Senior Games, please check www.VisitTallahassee.com/seniorgames. For information about the Florida Senior Games program, visit www.flasports.com.
Photo Frenzy
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| Phil Swartz, Holiday Cruises and Tours, serves up a bowl full of old time flavor to Rosa Parrish as Commissioner Bryan Desloge readies for the next in line at TSC annual Ice Cream Social and Presidential Awards. | Gary Coates not only directed the Capital City Band of Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and the TCC Jazz Band, he enthusiastically filled in on the drums during the very Patriotic Concert held at the senior center. The bands played to a packed house and all proceeds benefited TSC, Brehon and Catholic Charities. | Sheila Salyer and Debra Herman of Catholic Charities share a moment. |
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| Jackie Malone of Brehon chats with Tom Flanagan of Florida Public Radio. | Artists and more draw attention! Hank Fleck, renowned artist, quietly painted and Julie Kurisko, historical interpreter from Mission San Luis, donned costume and character. | |
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| Sponsors and exhibitors of this year's Active Living Expo included TOSPT's Tracey Grant (with Shelia Salyer, manager of Tallahassee Senior Services); the Jamestown Woods ladies-Ashley, Ivey and Donna; and Marty Stein with Janelle Newton of Club50 Fitness. | ||
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| They're all smiles-Johnnie Mae Davis and Irene Perry; sisters Jean Shields and Roumeil Green; and pals Margaret Hamilton, John O'Farrell, Madrea Keeler-Proctor and Roger Owen. All take the occasion to socialize and become better informed seniors. | ||
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| Health screenings, vendor giveaways and door prizes are always popular at the Expo. Genny and Ron Blazek won the grand prize at this year's Active Living Expo-and are ready to cheer for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. In addition to ball game tickets, the winning package also included tours to the Georgia Aquarium and Coca-Cola museum. Genny is now in TSC's Artistry in Clay class and comes to the center's Investment Club. | ||
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| Volunteers ensure success of our many programs and Active Living Expo proves no exception! Zilpah Boyd and Margaret Bertolami greet guests and sell tickets to the Expo. | Congratulations Jim Hinson! Jim was acknowledged by the Davis Productivity award committee (Florida Tax Watch) with an Award of Distinction for his role on the Senior Center Evaluation Toolkit development team. The toolkit is the first in the nation to give center managers the ability to easily and accurately evaluate program effectiveness. Jim is shown here accepting certificate of recognition from Gail LaRosa, Dept. of Elder Affairs, for his toolkit assistance. | |
Newcomers - Tuesdays, October 12 and November 10, 11:00am - 12:00n
Attend this orientation for an introduction to the Tallahassee Senior Center and Foundation and an optional tour of the "Old Armory." See what's going on at one of the most affordably fun places in town! Call ahead to stay for lunch ($3.00) or try our new salad bar ($4.00). For more information call 891-4000.We Want to Recycle Your Old Cell Phone - A Special Fundraiser for Senior Centers!
Through a partnership with the National Institute of Senior Centers and Cellular Recycle, the Tallahassee Senior Center can raise funds for programs and services. Just bring us your old cell phone to 1400 North Monroe Street. The Senior Center will recycle the phones and receive money to support activities that help keep seniors well and connected to their community. Call 891-4000 for more information.