While the holiday season is a festive time for many, it can cause depression for sen-iors who've lost loved ones or are having health or financial problems. For some seniors, this despondency can lead to suicide, according to the American Geriatrics Society, which noted that the 2004 suicide rate for Americans over the age of 65 was 14 per 100,000. The society offers seniors some tips on how to avoid feeling blue during the holidays:

Get out and about. Ask family and friends for help traveling to parties and events

or invite family and friends to your home.

Volunteer. Helping others can be a great mood lifter. Contact local schools,

churches, synagogues and mosques to find out about volunteer opportunities.

Don't drink too much alcohol, which can lower your spirits.

Accept and express your feelings. There's nothing wrong with not feeling happy

during the holidays -- many people feel the same way. Talking about your feelings can help you understand why you feel the way you do.

Recognize the signs of depression, which include: sadness that won't lift; loss of

interest or pleasure; changes in appetite and weight; sleeping much more than normal; crying often; feeling restless or tired all the time; feeling worthless, help-less or guilty; slowed thinking; thoughts of death or suicide.

If you notice that an older loved one seems depressed, lend a hand by offering to help them with shopping, transportation and preparations for get-togethers in their homes, the society advises. Encourage your loved one to talk about how he or she is feeling and acknowledge their difficult feelings. You should also encourage your loved one to talk to a health-care provider. Many older people don't realize when they're depressed. If you believe an older loved one is depressed, tell them depression is a medical illness that can be treated and managed.

Don Watt 12/05

Virginia McSwain 12/06

Barbara Callaway 12/07

Verla Wells 12/07

Cindy Eason 12/09

Ruby Morehead 12/12

Dorothy Erwin 12/12

Janet Amerine 12/17

William Titterington 12/18

Ardena Matlack 12/20

Peggy Chitwood 12/20

Barbara Caddy 12/21

Carla Butterfield 12/22

Ron DeWeese 12/22

Fran Nickels 12/23

Linda Whitney 12/24

Ester Murphey 12/28

Shirley Tarrant 12/31

Aaron Finney 12/31

HELPING EACHOTHER BEAT THE HOLIDAY BLUES!

THE SCOOP

DECEMBER B IRTHDAYS “HOW OLD WOULD YOU BE IF YOU DIDN 'T KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE?” SATCHEL PAIGE

December 2014

C l e a r w a t e r C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r

9 2 1 J a n e t A v e C l e a r w a t e r , K S 6 7 0 2 6

6 2 0 - 5 8 4 - 2 3 3 2

c o m m c e n t e r @ s k t c . n e t

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Upcoming Events Pg 2,

4

Bits & Pieces Pg 3

Senior Lunch Report Pg 6

Calendar Pg 7

Lunch Menu

Pg 8

UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas Carry-In-Lunch

Join us for a great lunch made by the best cooks in

town. We will have Gartens Music here to provide

music and talk about music lessons. We ask that

everyone brings in a dish to share and a plate and

utensils. The event is free but donations are accept-

ed.

Date: Tuesday, December 9th

Time: 12:00 noon

Location: Main room at Center

Cost: Free but donations for meat are appreciated

as this will be our Christmas dinner.

Biscuits & Gravy breakfast

All you can eat Biscuits & gravy made by Center

volunteers. This is open to ALL age groups. It is a

nice place to come feed the family when you don’t

feel like cooking.

*NO BISCUITS & GRAVY IN DECEMBER*

We will pick back up in January.

Painting Group

Come down and paint with friends. This group is

for people who already know how to paint. Please

call the Center first to regis-

ter.

Date: Every Monday

Day: Monday

Time: 1pm-3pm

Location: Art & Crafts

room

Cost: Free

Tai Chi & Exercise Class

Tai Chi is a Chinese system of slow meditative

physical exercise designed for relaxation and bal-

ance and health. Come down and enjoy this class

which is taught by Lew Kellogg.

All ages welcome!

Date: Every Tuesday & Friday

Time: 8:45 am

Location: Centers Main Room

Cost: $8 per month

Blood Pressure Checks

Has your Dr told you to monitor your blood pres-

sure? Do you not have a blood pressure machine at

home? Stop by the Center to have your blood pres-

sure checked for free

Date: Every Monday

Time: 10 am – 12 noon

Location: Center Main Room

Cost: Free

Morning Coffee

Have you been looking for a place to come have

morning coffee and visit with friends? The Center

is now offering morning coffee. This is open to

everyone. We will have a donation jar out for cof-

fee.

Date: Every Wednesday morning

Time: 9:00 am—until you are

done

Location: Centers Main Room

Cost: donations for coffee

BIBLE STUDY

Pastor Whitlow will be leading a Bible Study on

Mondays here at the Center. The group is now

going through the book of Acts.

Date: Every Monday

Location: Craft Room

Time 9:30 am

BINGO

Come down and play BINGO with friends. There

will be plenty of prizes to chose from. Bring a

friend and come play some good ol fashion BIN-

GO.

Date: Friday, December 19th

Location: Main Room

Time 1:00 pm

Cost: .25 per card

Schedule of

Events

12-5 Planning

Meeting

12-6 Red Cross

Blood Drive

12-9 Carry In

Lunch

12-11 Center

Closed due to

being rented.

12-18 Christ-

mas caroling

12-24,25 Cen-

ter Closed

THE SCOOP

Page 2

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, will be taking the place of our “Computer Help.” Each Thursday, minus the 2nd Thurs-

day of the month we offer time for people to come in and get help with their computer. We can help with laptops, tablets,

smart phones, digital picture frames, GPS, you name it and we can probably help you understand it. If we cant figure it

out we can usually find someone who can. If you are interest-ed in learning how to use your device efficiently then stop by on a Thursday morning at 9 am and lets see what we can fig-

ure out.

Ingredients: 1 stick butter (1/2

cup)

One 14 oz Can Of

Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 & 1/2 cups gra-

ham cracker crumbs

1 cup Holiday or

regular chocolate chips (divided into 1/2 cup portions)

1 cup chopped nuts

(I prefer walnuts)

1 cup Holiday or

regular M&M's (divided into 1/2 cup portions) 1 & 1/2 cups flaked co-conut

Directions: 1. Unwrap butter and place in 13" x 9" pan. Place pan, with butter, in the oven and turn the

oven on to 350*F. Butter can melt in pan while preheating. Keep an eye on it, checking eve-ry few minutes and pulling out of the oven when butter is melted. Please be careful while preparing recipe as pan will be very hot.

2. Crush graham crackers in a food processor to create graham cracker crumbs (or buy

crumbs).

3. When butter is melted, remove pan from oven

and carefully sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter. Press in lightly with fork or back of spoon.

4. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the crumb

layer.

5. Sprinkle 1/2 of the chocolate chips, 1/2 of the

M&M's & the nuts over the sweetened condensed milk layer. Sprinkle coconut on top, followed by re-maining chocolate chips & M&M's. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Allow bars to cool completely. Slice, give and enjoy!

closer and closer to colder months and we have some Seniors who are interested in learning how to play BUNKO. It is a nice activity for inside. If you are interested please call 620-584-2332. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are wanting to start some new activities here at the Senior Center. In order to do this we will need some leaders to step up and lead the class. We are needing the following people. A singing instructor. (ex. Retired music

or choir teacher) A painting instructor. BUNKO instructor/player. If interested please call 620-584-2332.

SAFE HOUSE NEEDS Betty Jo Embry who works with the Safe House in Wichita, KS, states that there is a need for small snack items that homeless chil-dren can put in their back packs. Also there is a need for boys and men’s pants and blankets. If you would like to donate some items they may be dropped off at the Senior Center. VOLUNTEER DRIVERS If you would be interested in being a volunteer driver for our Meals on Wheels program in Clearwater please contact Cindy at 620-584-2332. We are currently needing back up driv-ers for when others can not make it. BUNKO PLAYERS Calling all BUNKO players. We are getting

B ITS & P IECES

December 2014 Page 3

BYOD—SAME EVENT , NEW NAME

CHRISTMAS MAGIC COOKIE BARS

“Volunteers, a

precious resource

we can not afford to

lose”

-Denise Penn

City of Clearwater Senior

Community Center

Mission Statement: The Clearwater Senior/Community Cen-ter is here to provide, maintain, and ex-pand to the Community the social, edu-

cational, physical, nutritional, health, recreational, spiritual, and intellectual

well being of each senior in our commu-nity.

Goals:

1. Keep and Maintain a warm and friend-ly center.

2. To increase the activities and growth at the Center.

3. To maintain the newsletter promoting all activities at the Center.

Objectives:

1. Improve community involvement by newsletter, telephone, email, TV access channel with information on all Senior

Activities. 2. Implement new ideas, programs, and

activities as they develop. 3. Maintain and keep accurate records of

attendance. 4. Maintain current facility and plan for

growth.

Staff Clearwater Senior Community

Center Pamela Riggs,

Director Farol McMillan

Administrative Assistant

Advisory Committee Members

Terry Sullivan - Chairperson Joan Fleming - Co-Chair

Barbara Hufford – Member at Large James Charles - Member at Large Marlene Hand - Member at Large

Planning Committee Members

Marlene Parret - Secretary Cheryl Wright – Member

Farol McMillan - RSVP Program Becky Estes– Member

Clearwater Community Center

921 Janet Ave Clearwater, KS 67026

620-584-2332 commcenter@sktc.net

UPCOMING EVENTS

Square Dancing Class With all its moving, twisting, and turning, square dancing provides more than the daily

dose of heart- and bone-healthy physical activity. John Chitwood

will again be leading a class that will teach the basics of square

dancing. This class is closed to new students after November 28th

but you are free to come watch.

Date: Every Friday

Time: 7:00 pm

Location: Main Room

Cost: donations for coffee

Red Cross Blood Drive The American Red Cross will be here to do a blood drive for our community. Some

things to remember when donating blood.

Have a light meal and plenty to drink.

Bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification.+

Bring the names of medications you are taking.

Date: Saturday, December 6th

Time: 9 am—1 pm

Location: Main room

Christmas Lights Tour We will be taking a school bus to Winfield, KS to look at the Isle of Lights. If you would

like to go please RSVP at the Center by calling 620-584-2332. The bus fills up quick so

make your reservations soon.

Date: Tuesday, December 16th

Time: 5:00 pm

Location: meet at the Center

Cost: $4 suggested donation.

Christmas Caroling Join us as we drink hot cocoa and visit different neighborhoods and do some Christmas

caroling. If the weather is ok we will go to neighborhoods and carol otherwise we will

visit the nursing home and carol there. Dress warm!

Date: Thursday, December 18th

Time: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Location: meet at the Center

Crocheting Group Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet? Come to a class and learn and make

some fun holiday presents. Open to ALL ages.

Date: Every Monday

Time: 7:00 pm—8:00 pm

THE SCOOP Page 4

You don’t need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason. Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend.

Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day.

Some believe it is the right thing we do.

Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you’ll feel good knowing you've helped change a life. Some Health Benefits

You will receive a mini physical to check your:

Pulse

Blood pressure

Body temperature

Hemoglobin

Donation Process—To get ready for your donation:

Hydrate. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.

Wear something comfortable. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled above the elbow.

Bring a list of medications you are taking: We will need to know about any prescriptions and/or over the counter

medications that may be in your system.

Bring an ID: Please bring either your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification.

Bring a friend: Bring along a friend, so that you may both enjoy the benefits of giving blood.

Relax: Blood donation is a simple and very safe procedure so there is nothing to worry about.

What happens to donated blood?

WHY DONATE BLOOD AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Did you know?

Blood Drive—

Saturday, December

6th from 9am—1pm

at the Clearwater

Community Center

921 Janet Ave.

MEDICARE PART D COUNSELING

THE SCOOP Page 5

On Thursday, November 13th

we held a Medicare Part D coun-

seling day here at the Communi-

ty Center. We had 2 counselors

at the facility to help people

make decisions on their Part D

plan. Each year Medicare allows

people to take a look at their Part

D prescription drug plan. They

have the option to compare and

change to another plan if they

wish. So far this year the Clearwa-

ter Community Center has been

counseled 15 people and have

saved an average of $303.15 per

person per year! One Senior in

particular saved a total of

$3,100.32 a year! If you did not

get a chance this year to review

your plan, be sure to keep an eye

out next year for Part D Counsel-

ing here at the Center.

Senior Lunch Report

Tuesday, November 11th, 2014

Pam called the group to order. Marlene led reciting the Flag Salute and National Anthem. The Novem-

ber birthdays honored were Becky Estes and Cleta Cornett. Wayland Whitlow led the blessing for the

food. The Center furnished the turkey and Farol McMillan cooked it as well as gravy and dressings. May

other delicious side dishes were brought by the many people who attended.

Attorney Mike Brown, from Mulvane, was our first speaker. He spoke about Elder Law of Kansas. He

spoke on how we should all be planning on some form of long-term care of ourselves and other loved

ones. He offered basic information on home care and care home settings. He can be reached at his office

in Derby. He explained the potential costs of care home living. Explained about Medicare and Medicaid

status and requirements. Some of the things we need to be aware of are personal assets, need or a living

will, DPOA, health information, DNR, estate planning for those left behind.

Our next speakers were Matt McMillan and Scott Litwin who work for Stebbins roofing. They state we

should be checking the status of our roofs at least yearly. They told of the various types of roofing and the

capability to withstand the Kansas winds. When you are checking the requirement of roofers, make sure

they are able to furnish Kansas registration.

For our entertainment each person attending colored a picture of a turkey. Then they were judged by our

3 speakers while Marlene led us in some trivia questions on turkeys. Some trivia included: How long

should a frozen turkey be thawed? One day per 4 pounds, in the refrigerator. What are unhappy cranber-

ries called? Blue berries! The 3 coloring winners were John Chitwood, Betty Jo Embry, and Mary Staf-

ford. They each received a prize.

Announcements: The SHICK appointments for Medicare Part D are all filled up.

11-20 Trip to Benton to visit the Infinity Glass shop.

11-24 The local sewing group will be presenting a quilt of valor to a local Veteran at the Center.

12-6 Red Cross blood drive at the Center.

In December we will be caroling and touring Christmas lights. Betty Embry asked for donations of blan-

kets for the homeless children in Wichita. These can be brought to the Center of the First Baptist church.

Sue Koenig from the library told of several on going activities happening there.

Kent Brown told of upcoming work in the city at Tracy and Ross and along north 4th st. Also the contin-

ued work on 135th north of town.

Marlene Parret, Secretary

THE SCOOP Page 6

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December 2014 Page 9

On Thursday, November 20th, a group of 5 members

took a trip to Benton, KS to have lunch at the

Stearman's Bar and Grill which is placed along the run

way of an airport. They then traveled to Infinity Glass

and watched the glass being blown and formed by hand

by artist Scott. All who attended said it was a great

time. Keep an eye out for future trips.

C l e a r w a t e r C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r

9 2 1 J a n e t A v e

C l e a r w a t e r , K S 6 7 0 2 6

6 2 0 - 5 8 4 - 2 3 3 2

c o m m c e n t e r @ s k t c . n e t