Submitted by Orcas Island Senior Center
Weekly coffee shop opening in June
Come enjoy a cup of coffee or a sip of tea with friends at our self-serve coffee shop open Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m.–noon. Free refreshments and goodies are available to all as this offering is part of the new initiatives launched from last year’s challenge grant.
First Aid/CPR class
Could you give first aid in an urgent situation? Could you perform CPR or assist others in performing CPR if necessary? Do you need a refresher? Come and learn how to perform or assist others in life-saving techniques. On June 19 and 20, Orcas Island Fire and Rescues Lieutenant Alan Stameisen will teach techniques to help someone in their time of need or during an emergency. This free class is open to people of all ages and abilities. It will be held over two days at the Orcas Senior Center from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Lunch is included. Additionally, physician orders for life-sustaining treatment forms will be available if you’d like to complete one. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions. You must attend both days to complete the course. Space is limited, call the senior center 360-376-2677 early to reserve your place in the class.
Elders in the Garden
Orcasong Farm is offering bi-monthly (first and third Thursday of the month), hands-on classes to Orcas Elders, 55 and older, focused on exploring the garden through cooking, art, music, movement and more. Each week, Garden Manager Leila Jordan and her team of Orcasong interns will teach a lesson illuminating new ways to engage in the garden space. At the end of each class participants will harvest from the garden and prepare a fresh and healthy lunch together. Take advantage of this free opportunity to learn how and why a garden can affect your overall health and wellbeing and become empowered to steward your health toward a brighter future. The first class is from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Thursday, June 7 and will be held on the first and third Thursday of the month through September 20 at Orcasong Farm (280 Dolphin Bay Road). Transportation is available to and from the senior center, leaving promptly at 10:45 a.m. and returning about approximately 1:15 p.m. Contact the senior center to register. There is no fee for this program and lunches are included. Participants are encouraged to enroll in the full series (eight classes), though each class can stand alone. To register directly with Orcasong Farm, email leila.jordan@orcasong.farm.
Focus group
Help the senior center gather information and provide input that will guide the programming and initiative goals. Participate in a focus group to further explore the results of the “How do we build a vital future?” survey conducted in the fall/winter of 2017. In June 2018, we will be holding three focus groups (10-12 people per group) to discuss services, needs and solutions related to the following topics: coordinator to help navigate and facilitate access to services; home safety (including possible handyman services, home assessments and other services); and emergency Preparedness (including senior emergency kits and information about services such as Life Alert). Interested in participating, contact Sara Boyle via email at oisc.cfa@gmail.com or phone at 360-376-723.
Thanks to all that stepped up to support us for this year’s Technology GiveOrcas Grant in OICF’s 2018 spring grant cycle. We were awarded $16,517 in funding to build a program to help seniors gain and maintain technical skills they need to remain connected and relevant in today’s computer-dependent world. In June, we will create a committee to implement and support this initiative; if you are interested in participating, contact Sara or Kristin at orcasseniorcenter@gmail.com or by calling 360-376-2677.
Precious pets art exhibit
Do you have a fabulous photo or art piece of your favorite pet friend? The senior center is accepting photos, art and other media of Orcas pets to be placed on display in the Lundeen Room this summer. Help us decorate the walls with all kinds of animal pals, no matter the shape or size, all pets count. Items can be dropped off at the senior center front desk, open 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday. This show is organized by the Visual Arts Committee – Come visit the senior center in June and July to enjoy this exhibit of our furry (and other) friends.
