Summer 2024

In this issue: Hill N' Park Senior Center Dedication 
Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation, Inc. 2024 Hall of Fame Recipients 
Powered By Connection • Weld Aging Well • 2024 Friendly Fork Summer Evening Meals
Fresh Conversations • Calling All Artists • Social Media Scams

Hill N' Park Dedication

Written by Meredith Skoglund, Community Outreach Manager for the Area Agency on Aging

Less than a year ago, last August to be exact, we came together for the Hill N' Park groundbreaking. During that event, the dilapidated 1974 mobile home that they had utilized as a senior center was still standing here. In eight months, that structure was demolished and this amazing center has taken its place.

Since 1990, the Hill N' Park seniors not only hosted the Friendly Fork lunch and Weld Aging Well classes, but they also ran an array of activities that supported the older adults within Hill N' Park and the surrounding areas. As their programs expanded, unfortunately their facility was no longer able to accommodate or withstand their expansion. While they made the most of their previous senior center, it became evident that more time and money was spent fixing the structure than the building of actual programs.

They now have the space to expand their Friendly Fork lunch, host classes without minimizing attendance, schedule craft classes, host trainings, and schedule resource and volunteer fairs, just to name a few points of emphasis.

None of this would have happened without the partnership of multiple Weld County organizations. I want to take a moment to acknowledge those that have been involved in the project and assured that every "T" was crossed, and all the "I"s were dotted.   

• Of course, I have to start with thanking the State Unit on Aging for awarding the Weld County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the grant funds from Senate Bill 290.
• Second, the Weld County Area Agency on Aging for seeing the vision and the potential the center needed to make it possible. Kelly Morrison, Division Director of AAA, was able to define in the application the need of this new structure and the value it has to the older adults in the community. Donnica Fagan, thank you for jumping in with both feet in your new role as the Senior Nutrition Supervisor. You were a tremendous asset in all the final touches. Thank you to the County Commissioners, Jamie Ulrich, and Tami Grant for your continued support in the process. 
• Habitat for Humanity – Cheri Whit-Brown, your passion to develop this community and your expertise with project management is greatly appreciated. Your wealth of knowledge and experience helped guide this process.
• Roche Construction – A.J., Johnny, Aaron and team, thank you for believing in the project and holding not only our hands through the process; but also the multiple older adults that you encountered during the build.
• Hill N' Park Senior Center board and members – Thank you for trusting us with the process; we did it! While the board provided support, feedback and multiple suggestions, Frank Perkins deserves a special shout out. Not only did he dedicate hours of time at the center waiting for deliveries, but he also transported and unloaded all items from the storage units, and helped set up the entire facility without hesitation. Frank also spent time with Roche Construction on the premises waiting for windows, dishwashers, plumbers, and electricians. 

Now that the Hill N' Park board and members have realized this dream is a reality, they are busy planning programs and expanding their partnerships. They will continue to partner with Weld AAA and host the Friendly Fork lunch and Weld Aging Well Classes. They're also currently reaching out to local services to see what other fun classes and opportunities they can bring to the center, including an exciting new partnership with High Plains Library District.

I am so excited for this community and the older adults who are part of this facility. This is just the start of something that will continue to flourish! 

Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation, Inc.
2024 Hall of Fame Recipients

Sponsored by Weld County Area Agency on Aging
and 50 Plus Marketplace

Carol Criswell volunteers in Fort Lupton. She is a dedicated volunteer with the Fort Lupton Recreation Center, treasurer of the Senior Advisor Committee, and a member of the Field of Honor Committee that hosts a special event to honor veterans, first responders and those who have served our country. Carol is a great leader for other volunteers and her knowledge promotes a positive quality of life for older adults.

Mary Collard volunteers in Carbon Valley. Her most common places of volunteering are with the Carbon Valley Community Center and her local church. Mary leads by example to promote older adults to get out and be a part of their community by participating in local events and senior center activities such as trip and fitness classes.

Jane Hansher volunteers in Johnstown. She commits time to many programs in the Johnstown and Milliken areas, such as the Friendly Fork Lunches, Roosevelt High School, and currently serves as the president to the Johnstown Senior Center Board. Jane’s reliability is extremely valuable to those of all ages in her community.

2024 Winchester Award Recipient

Flo Mikkelson is this year’s recipient of the Winchester Award. She spends virtually all her time making life better for and advocating for those 50 or older. Throughout her career she has been actively involved in giving back to her community through humanitarianism. Flo exhibits these characteristics as a person and a volunteer, and has participated on countless boards such as the Greeley Museum, Greeley Business Women’s Network, AAA Friendly Fork, Union Colony Civic Center, University of Northern Colorado Performing Arts, and the Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation just to name a few. Thank you, Flo, for all your work in the community and continuing to focus on older adults.

Grants Awarded to Weld County Senior Centers
by Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation, Inc.

• 2024: $12,977
• 2023: $13,930
• 2022: $14,405

Powered By Connection:
Calling All Storytellers!

May was Older Americans Month and the Administration for Community Living's (ACL) theme this year was "Powered by Connection," which seeks to recognize the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. To celebrate and honor older Americans this year, the Weld County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is putting out a call for stories! If you have a story about the impact of a meaningful connection or a relationship that has changed your life, we would be honored to help share your story with readers to enlighten and inspire.

Everyone has a story and the experiences of older adults in communities across Weld County offer an unending and priceless treasure trove of resilience, love, friendship, generosity and the power of the human spirit. In a time when more and more people are feeling alone, stories are one of humankind’s most powerful tools for creating connections and building bonds with one another as well as fostering faith and hope.

We would love to hear from you, and if you have a story that you would like us to share with readers of this newsletter, please reach out to us by contacting:

Jason Koban
(970) 400-6136
jkoban@weld.gov

Letters can also be addressed to Jason at:
315 N. 11th Ave., Building A, P.O. Box A, Greeley, CO 80632

Weld Aging Well

The Weld County Area Agency on Aging has been offering wellness classes since 2008 as guided by the Older Americans Act Disease Prevention and Health Promotion section. The valuable offerings in the Weld Aging Well program are based on research and provide documented health benefits, so you can be confident they work. All workshops and classes are evidence-based to promote health and prevent disease among older adults. Come join us for our upcoming classes!

• Matter of Balance: Break the fear cycle! Learn ways to reduce the fear of falling by improving balance and addressing social and cognitive factors related to fear. This program focuses on practical coping strategies and meets once a week on Thursdays for nine weeks starting June 10 to July 22. Class will run from 2 to 4 p.m. at Meeker Commons, 505 9th Ave in Greeley.
  No class will be held on July 4. Free for people 60 and older, and donations are always accepted. Registration is required by calling (970) 400-6117. 
  
  
• Chronic Disease Self-Management/Healthier Living Colorado: Take your health into your own hands! Learn tools to manage chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic pain. This program applies nutrition and exercise knowledge to help you set achievable goals for managing health conditions. This workshop meets once a week for seven weeks on Mondays starting June 10 to July 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Fox Run, 1300 60th Avenue in Greeley. No class will be held on July 1. Free for people 60 and older, and donations are always accepted. Registration is required by calling (970) 400-6117.

2024 Friendly Fork 
Summer Evening Meals

Platteville Senior Center, 508 Reynolds Avenue, Platteville Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. from May 14 to August 6 Reservations must be made to attend. Call (720) 815-8136 to make a meal reservation. $5 suggested donation. Fee of $14 for non-eligible guests. For questions, please call the Weld County Area Agency on Aging at (970) 400-6955.

Fresh Conversations

Join the Weld County Area Agency on Aging for health and nutrition discussions at Kersey Community Center, 215 2nd Street in Kersey, from 10:30 to 11:20 a.m., on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Fresh Conversations is a health and wellness education program for older adults. Learn practical tips to eat well and live well from up-to-date nutrition and health research. You will receive low cost recipes, learn easy ways to be active at home, enjoy puzzles, and more!

Any Coloradoan 60 years of age or older can participate in Fresh Conversations meetings, especially those who are interested in positively transforming their personal health!

Upcoming topics include: Your Mouth is Your Body's Mirror Thursday, June 27 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. The "Sunshine" Vitamin Thursday, July 25 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. Your Heart is a Beast Thursday, August 22 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. Stay after the discussion to enjoy a donation-based meal with the Friendly Fork program! Lunch is served at 11:30 am. Reservations must be made to attend the lunch. If you would like to make a meal reservation, please call (970) 353-1681, extension 2, no later than 11 a.m. the day prior to the meal. For more questions, contact Jessi Like, Registered Dietician for the Weld County Area Agency on Aging, by calling (970) 400-6118, or emailing jlike@weld.gov.

Calling All Artists!

Written by Donnica Fagan, AAA Senior Nutrition Program Supervisor 

The Golden Gallery Art Show is an event intended to promote the art of Weld County’s artists ages 50 and up. The Weld County Area Agency on Aging and Greeley Active Adult Center are excited to host this event at the Library Innovation Center (LINC) in Greeley. Thank you to our sponsors, Dawn Strohecker of Edward Jones, Holiday by Atria - Greeley Place, and Left-Hand Graphics.

Showcased art by both amateurs and professionals will include photography, two dimensional paintings, drawings, and mixed media. This year the art committee is pleased to announce we will be accepting original 3D artwork including sculpture and ceramics (3D art cannot be created from molds including green-ware or bisque). The opening reception will be September 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at LINC Library Innovation Center, 501 8th Avenue in Greeley. Show dates will be September 18 through October 15 during the library’s regular business hours.

Professors and students from the University of Northern Colorado's Department of the Arts will judge the entries prior to the opening reception and will vote on amateur and professional pieces in separate categories. Ribbons will be given to the top three amateur and professional artists for each category.

For more information and to apply to enter, please contact the Greeley Active Adult Center at (970) 350-9437, email Sheri.Lobmeyer@GreeleyGov.com, or visit the City of Greeley Recreation website.

Social Media Scams

Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and any app that lets you connect (chat) with people can provide a convenient way to interact. It is important to remember that scammers also commonly use these platforms to find victims. Scammers often create fake profiles and pretend to either be someone you know, someone you want to know (a celebrity), or an entity you trust. Because there are fake profiles it is difficult to know who you can trust on social media sites. The following are some red flags indicating you might be targeted by a scammer on Facebook or another social media platform:

• You receive a friend/follow request from someone you are already connected with on that platform.
• You receive private messages from someone you do not know.
• You are informed about an opportunity to receive easy money in the form of a grant, sweepstakes, or prize.
• You are asked to send money to receive money.
• The person who you are messaging with asks for your phone number, email address or physical address.
• Someone you do not know shows a romantic interest in you very quickly.
• You are notified about a lucrative investment opportunity out of the blue.
• You are receiving messages or posts with poor spelling or grammar.
• You are offered a gift, prize, money or a coupon that seems “too good to be true.”

It is critical that you only engage with others on social media platforms who you know. Use privacy settings to ensure only people who you know and trust can view your profile. If you have questions about a potential social media scam or how to lock down your privacy settings, contact AARP Elder Watch at (800) 222-4444, option 2.