Wilmington Senior Center

1901 N. Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 651-3400
www.wilmingtonseniorcenter.org
info@wilmingtonseniorcenter.org

Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Wilmington, DE
Permit No. 430

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

A COMMUNITY FOR LIFE!

Wilmington Senior Center

November 2015

Happenings

Inside this issue

Activities Calendar
November Birthdays
Caregiver Information
$tand By Me 50+

WILMINGTON SENIOR CENTER

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Activities Coordinator
651-3424
Gretchen Broadwater
Pay for trips Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-noon & 1:00-2:00
Cares and Concerns of Members
Irmina Hudson
Supportive Services
Grandparent Resource Center
Caregiver Resource Center
Patricia Anderson-Rice
$tand By Me 50+
Financial Coaching and Economic CheckUp
Kathleen Rupert
Diana Acevedo

655-2528

651-3420

651-3401
651-3427

Employment Services
Sandria Burton

651-3440

Lafayette Court
Regenia Rochester

651-3429

City Styles Thrift Shop Donations

651-3460

Administration
Sue Getman, Executive Director
Beth Ray, Executive Secretary

651-3460

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

Meal Reservations
651-3400
Must be made by 12:30 p.m. the day prior to the meal
Cost: $2.00 for 60 and older; $4.75 for under 60
Bus Transportation
651-3400
Must be made by 8:00 a.m. on the day of pickup

TRIP RESERVATIONS
Please sign up and pay for trips/events by the
LUNCH RESERVATIONS
designated deadline. Your bus seat is guaranteed
only when the fee is paid.
Lunch reservations for all members and staff
must be given to the front desk by 12:30 the day If the minimum number of participants is not met
by the deadline the trip/event will be cancelled
prior. If you need to cancel after lunch has been
and payment will be returned. A late fee will be
ordered, call right away. We will then know the
meal is available if anyone else wants to purchase imposed on those not meeting the deadline date
providing the trip/event has a sufficient number
it. Unsold meals are billed to the Center at the
registered. Refunds will not be made without 24
$4.75 price.
hour notice.
Lunch cost for those under age 60 is $4.75.
Current WSC members are placed first on the
Lunch cost for those 60 and over is $2.00.
Centers 16 passenger bus for day trips. Nonmembers may attend a day trip if there are
unpaid seats after the trips deadline.

Please bring small bills to pay for trips and lunches since the receptionists cannot make change
for large bills. (Nothing larger than a $5.00 dollar bill)
2

City Fare Menu November 2015

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

11/2
Stuffed Pepper with
Marinara Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Hot Cinnamon Applesauce
Wheat Dinner Roll

11/3
Breaded Pollock
Peas
Sliced Carrots
Potato Bread
Fresh Pear

11/4
BBQ Chicken
Baked Beans
Seasoned Greens
Yogurt Cup
Mini Corn Muffin

11/5
Beef Burgundy over
Egg Noodles
Key West Veggies
Pineapple Tidbits
12 Grain Bread

11/6
Open Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich
with Gravy on
White Wheat Bread (1)
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Mandarin Oranges
Cranberry Sauce

11/9
Chicken Patty with
Mozzarella & Parmesan in
Marinara Sauce over
Penne Pasta
Italian Blend Veggies
Poached Pear Half
Wheat Dinner Roll

11/10
Pot Roast with Gravy
Roasted Baby Potato Bakers
Peas & Carrots
Ultimate Grain Honey Bread
Orange

11/11
Fire Braised Chicken Stew
Mixed Salad with
Onion & Tomato
Peach Cobbler
12 Grain Bread

11/12
Herbed Pollock
Macaroni & Cheese
Stewed Tomatoes
Banana Yogurt Sundae

11/13
Salisbury Steak w. Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Chocolate Pudding
12 Grain Bread

11/16
Chicken Supreme
With Gravy
Sweet Potatoes
Peas
Orange
Cranberry Sauce

***11/17***
Roast Turkey w. Gravy
Bread Stuffing
Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Almondine
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie w. Whipped
Topping
Dinner Roll

11/18
Salmon with
Lemon Dill Sauce
Baked Potato
Capri Blend Veggies
White Wheat Bread
Rice Pudding
Sour Cream

11/19
Oven Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes with
Gravy
Green Beans
Banana

11/20
Hamburger on Bun with
Lettuce & Tomato
Minestrone Soup
Fresh Pear
Crackers

11/23
Broccoli Stuffed Chicken
Southern Potatoes with
Onions & Peppers
Gravy
Sliced Carrots
Fresh Pear

11/24
Meatloaf with
Mushroom Gravy
Corn
Italian Spinach
Applesauce
White Wheat Bread

11/25

11/26

11/27

Bag Meal

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSE AT 1:00 PM

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

11/30
Crab Cake
Roasted Baby Potato Bakers
Stewed Tomatoes
Pineapple Tidbits
Yogurt
Tartar Sauce
All meals subject to change. All meals contain 1% milk
Meals are ordered according to projected number; over that number, back-up meals will be available.
Suggested minimum donation for persons 60+ is $2.00 People under age 60 must pay $4.75

MONTHLY ACTIVITIES November 2015

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

2
9:30 Strength Building
10:30 Wii Team Bowling
10:30 Board Games

3
9:00 Quilting
10:15 Chair Exercise
11:30 GRC Support Group
1:00 Bingo
3:00 Red Hat Meeting

4
10:00 Cinnamon Stick Craft*
10:30 Open Wii Games
1:00 Computer Instruction

5
10:45 Bible Study
1:00 Bingo

6
9:30 Health Fair at
Hockessin PAL*
12:45 Bingo

9
8:45 Safe Driving Refresher
Course*
9:30 Strength Building
10:00 Commodity Food Delivery
10:30 Wii Team Bowling
1:30 Line Dancing Class

10
9:00 Quilting
10:00 Spice up Your Life Program*
11:30 GRC Support Group
1:00 Bingo

11
9:30 Sing Along with Sue*
10:00 Council Meeting
10:30 Open Wii Games
11:00 Members Meeting
1:00 Computer Instruction

12
10:45 Bible Study
1:00 Caregiver Support
Group
1:00 Bingo

13
10:00 Movie Time in
Dining Room
12:45 Bingo

16
9:30 Strength Building
10:30 Wii Team Bowling
10:30 Board Games

17
9:00 Quilting
11:30 GRC Support Group
1:00 Bingo
4:00 Board of Directors
5:30 GRC-LINKS Program

18
10:30 Open Wii Games
11:00 Birthday Party
1:00 Computer Instruction

19
10:45 Bible Study
11:00 Hicks Anderson
Thanksgiving Luncheon*
1:00 Bingo

20
9:30 Festival of Trees*
12:45 Bingo

23
9:30 Strength Building
10:30 Wii Team Bowling
10:30 Board Games

24
9:00 Quilting
10:15 Chair Exercise
10:30 Thanksgiving Trivia*
11:30 GRC Support Group
1:00 Bingo

25

26

27

30
9:30 Strength Building
10:30 Wii Team Bowling
10:30 Board Games

Daily:
Word Puzzles, Cards, Dominos
and Games and Exercise Room
open. Pool table located in
Exercise Room.

1:00 WSC Closes for

Thanksgiving

* See more
information about
presentations, trips
and activities on the
following pages.

WSC Closed for

Thanksgiving

WSC Closed for

Thanksgiving

ACTIVITIES
N
G
L
E

WSC: Experts at Living Well

Gretchen Broadwater, Activities Coordinator (651-3424)

DID YOU KNOW? Benjamin Franklin lobbied to make the

turkey our national symbol. The Bald Eagle, however, was
chosen (thankfully!). The sound of a female turkey is click
while the male turkeys sound is gobble.

NOVEMBER TRIPS
Sign up at Front Desk!

6 Health Fair at Hockessin PAL

Center. Bus will leave at 9:30
ACTIVITIES & PRESENTATIONS
and return at noon. Fee for bus
4 Cinnamon Stick Craft, 10:00 in the dining room. Well
transportation is $1.50.
make these to decorate the Centers tree for the Festival
19 Hicks Anderson
of Trees as well as one for ourselves.
Thanksgiving Luncheon. Bus
9 Safe Driving Refresher Course, 8:45-1:00. Participants
will leave WSC at 10:30 and
should arrive no later than 8:45 and bring their drivers
return before 2:00.
license and a check for payment. AARP Members should
Transportation fee is $1.00.
also bring their membership card. The class fee for AARP
MUST SIGN UP IN ADVANCE TO
Members is $15.00 and Non-Members is $20.00.
SIT AT OUR RESERVED TABLE
Participants may bring a beverage and snack or sandwich
whether driving yourself or
with them for a class break. Call 651-3400 to sign up in
taking our bus!
advance.
20 Festival of Trees will take
10 Spice Up Your Life, a nutrition program presented by
place at Cokesbury Village.
Ginny from City Fare at 10:00.
Total transportation and
11 Sing Along with Sue, 9:30. Join us as we sing favorite
entrance fee of $5.00 is due
hymns in the Dining Room. Well also practice holiday
upon signing up. Bus will leave
songs so we can help lead the singing at the Holiday
at 9:30 and return at noon.
Dinner Dance. No experience necessary - the only
requirement is to enjoy singing.
24 Thanksgiving Trivia, 10:30. Come learn some fun facts that you can surprise your friends
and family with over Thanksgiving dinner.
25 Center Closes at 1:00
26 & 27 WSC Closed
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SNEAK PEEK
December
9 Sing Along with Sue
11 Holiday Dinner Dance
17 Old Country Buffet & Holiday Light Tour
24 & 25 WSC Closed for Christmas
31 WSC Closed for New Year Holiday
As of print date the schedule for the Sunday Breakfast Mission Choir and Pulaski School
Childrens Chorus have not been confirmed by those organizations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You may be interested:
Free final dress rehearsals are scheduled for upcoming plays at the Wilmington Drama League:
Shrek the Musical on December 10
Resolutions on January 28
John and Jen on March 9
Little Women the Musical on April 21
Closer on June 9
Most productions start at 8:00 p.m.
5

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
3
4
7
8
9
10
13
16
18
20
22
23
24
25
26
30

Brenda Mills, Elsie Speller

Missouri Molock, Diane Rutter
Shirley Giles
Sylvia King
Calvin Mathis
Maxine Shaheed
Barbara Howard
Blair Benson
Elinor Richards
Maureene LaFate
William Holloway
Sandra Carpenter
Doris Brown, Linda McCledon
Alice Butcher, Carmen Campbell, Juanita Harris
Toni James
Diana Acevedo

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY INVITATION

If your birthday is this month, please join us at the monthly
birthday celebration on November 18 at 11:00 a.m. Lunch is free
for members (not for staff-unless also a paid member) who
are celebrating their birthdays this month.
Please call 651-3400 to make a reservation by Wednesday,
November 11 so well have enough meals. You must call because
you wont be automatically included in our lunch count. (City
Fare sends birthday cake only for those who have ordered
lunch.)

WELCOME TO
OUR NEW MEMBERS:
Rita Hall
Barbara Ponzo-Flamer
William Pulliam
VOLUNTEER
INFORMATION
If you are interested in
volunteering with us at
Wilmington Senior
Center, please complete
a volunteer application
and submit it
at our Front Desk.
Wii BOWLING TEAMS
NEED SUBSTITUTE
BOWLERS
See Gretchen to sign up!
SUGGESTION BOX
If you have ideas for
programs, activities or
changes,
please write a note and
put it in the lobby
suggestion box.

Welcome to New Driver

Robert Johnson joined our Staff as the bus driver on Thursdays and Fridays.
Ruth Dawson will continue to drive on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Volunteer Opportunity
Division for Visually Impaired

Qualifications include basic computer skills,

The Division for the Visually Impaired is
telephone etiquette, printer/copier
seeking dedicated volunteers to help them in experience, and filing/organizing experience.
their Instructional Materials Center which is
The hours of operation are Monday-Friday
located at 300 Cornell Drive in Wilmington.
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Volunteers can
The Center is responsible for creating large
assist for as little or as many hours as
print, Braille, and electronic media for
possible.
visually impaired clients. They need
volunteers to help as administrative/library
For further information, please contact
aides, archivists, and greeters. They also
Richard Huber by phone (302) 577-2083 or
need help assembling educational materials
by email at Richard.Huber@state.de.us
for students.

CAREGIVERS CORNER

The theme for National Family Caregivers Month November 2015 is

Respite: Care for Caregivers

Respite the chance to take a breather, the opportunity to re-energize
is as important as any other item on your caregivers to-do list. People
think of respite as a luxury, but considering caregivers increased risk for
health issues from chronic stress, those risks are a lot costlier than some
time away to recharge. Respite is the key to your own well-being. Respite
protects your own health, strengthens family relationships, prevents burnout and allows your loved one to stay at home up to three times longer.
No wonder respite is one of the most frequently requested support
services for family caregivers.
R is for Rest and Relaxation
Everyone needs a little R and R especially family caregivers.
Relaxing is the best way to return refreshed to handle your many
responsibilities as a caregiver.
E as in Energize
Caregiving is often round-the-clock 24/7. Respite isnt simply getting a
few hours off. Its necessary to help you reenergize, reduce stress and
provide care for your loved one.
S as in Sleep
Caregivers often have sleep problems. Address sleep problems and
insomnia before they take too great a toll on your health.
P is for Programs that can help you
Respite which can be in the home or out of the home can be hard
to find but there are programs available to help you.
I as in Imagination
Let your mind run free; read a book; see a movie. You have been so
occupied with the nuts-and-bolts of caregiving that refreshing
your mind will actually help you be a better caregiver.
T as in Take Five
...or better yet, take ten. Do you find yourself saying, I wish I
had just ten minutes to myself? Dont feel guilty. You need a reprieve
a few minutes to temporarily disengage.
E is for Exhale
A simple breath in and then a long exhale can help you focus and
increase your vitality. A few deep breaths can give you more energy,
reduce stress, and lift your mood.

Funding for the

Caregiver
Resource Center
comes from the
Division of Services
for Aging and Adults
with Physical
Disabilities
as a result of the
National Family
Caregiver Support
Program, Title III-E of
the Older Americans
Act.
Support for
Caregivers...
is available.
Call 651-3420 for
more information.
Grandparent
Support Group
meets Tuesdays from
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Caregiver Support
Group
meets on the 2nd
Thursday at 1:00
p.m. This months
meeting will be on
November 12th.
The Cancer Support
Community is
presenting
Frankly Speaking Ten Tips for
Caregivers

A Celebration of Caregivers
Thursday, November 10, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Easter Seals, 61 Corporate Circle, New Castle
Catered Breakfast and Presentation: Refill Your Energy Tank
Free but you must pre-register at 221-2087.
7

WILMINGTON SENIOR CENTER

APPRECIATES:

Recent Donors
Jeremy Abelson
Andrew Barton
David Baumberger
BBC Tavern & Grill
Joyce Bembry
Jennifer Bethoney
Jennifer Brandau
Elise Ciarlo
Patricia Clarke
Maureta Sims Collins
Mary & Ed Coombs
Joseph Cuocolo
Michael Daley
Melanie & Vincent Daniels
Dave Davis
Lozelle DeLuz
Penny Eldridge
Louise Foley
Bill Getman
Sue Getman
Valerie Gilliam
Jennifer Graber
Susan Greeley
Keelyn Griffin
Barbara Haberman

Jeanie Hayes
Nitika Jassal
Gerry Jones
Cathy Klocko
Amy Lincoln
Wendi McMullen
Tricia McQueeney & Jay Graybill
Francoise Mendelsohn
Edie Menser
Toni Bush Neal
Janet Pippert
Patricia Purcell
Beth Ray
AnnMarie Ropp
Don Ropp
Sue Ruff
Velma Scantlebury-White
Fred Sears
Bernadette Sims
Sonia & Gilbert Sloan
Standard Distributing Co., Inc.
Davie Stetler
Genelle Trader
Toni Vandegrift
Serena Williams

Other
Members who continue to provide goodies or
supplies for members morning coffee.
In September the following were contributors: .
Sonja Anderson, Sylvia Golden,
Irmina Hudson, Frances Hunt

COLLECTING SPECIAL ITEMS

Thank you for your continued
support of donating recycled
eyeglasses and hearing aids for
the Lions Club and soda can tabs
for Ronald McDonald House.
Please leave them with Gretchen.
Box Tops for Education are
the pink and yellow certificates
you find on grocery boxes and
labels that provide funds for
participating schools. WSC has
begun to collect them for
Shortlidge School. Look for the
collection box with a sample
certificate in the lobby.
GIVE BIRTHDAY GIFTS
TO WSC!
As we get older theres less we
need or want for our birthdays,
but our loved ones like to give us
presents. As an alternative, why
not suggest to your family that
they make a donation to
Wilmington Senior Center in your
honor? Your birthday will become
an even bigger cause for
celebration!

BLOOD PRESSURE
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
is designed to raise awareness of
high blood pressure in the African
-American community. If youd
like to volunteer as an
Our appreciate also goes to those continuing to donate old
ambassador, call 320-6800.
eyeglasses to the Lions Club, pull tops from cans for
------------------------------------Ronald McDonald House and Box Tops for Education for
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Shortlidge School.
Announcements about WSC
closings due to bad weather will
be broadcast by:
WDEL (1150 AM),
WSTW (93.7 FM),
WILM (1450 AM) &
WJBR (99.5 FM).
The Centers switchboard
(651-3400) will also be informed
of the closing.
8

Three Ways to Maintain Good Credit

Your credit history is your financial reputation. And just like your professional and personal
reputations, your credit history takes many years to cultivate, can be easily damaged, and will follow
you the rest of your life. Maintaining good credit is important. Nearly everyone will need to borrow
money from a lender at some point say, for buying a car and your credit history determines
whether you qualify for a loan and, if you do, what interest rate you pay. It can make or break your
application for a credit card. A prospective landlord can check it to judge whether youll be a
responsible tenant. Potential employers may request your credit reports to see if there are any red
flags.
Luckily, many resources are available to help you learn how to successfully establish and maintain
a healthy financial reputation. Here are three tips for creating a stable foundation for good credit.
1. Monitor your credit reports: Understanding your financial habits such as payment history and
spending patterns can help you improve them! Your score is generally based on information in
your credit reports. Mistakes on your credit reports could hurt your credit score, so check them
regularly. Make sure to check that your reports dont contain any errors, such as incorrect contact
information, closed accounts listed as open, or an item like an unpaid debt listed twice.
If you find something wrong in a credit report, you should contact both the credit reporting agency
that produced it and the creditor that provided the information.
2. Pay your bills on time: This is one of the simplest ways to keep your credit score strong yet,
with the bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to lose track of time and miss payment deadlines. Set
up auto-payments or electronic reminders to ensure that you wont be hit with late-payment
penalties. Paying bills late can hurt your credit score, which in turn can raise your interest rate
meaning that youre out even more money.
Its a common misconception that the best way to improve a credit score is to pay off all of your
accounts and close them. Get up to speed on your payments and stay on schedule, but be careful
when closing accounts. Doing so eliminates some of the credit available to you, making balances
appear higher when compared with the combined credit limit of all of your accounts. Also, if you
managed an account well and made payments on time, closing it will remove all the positive benefits
of your responsible credit behavior on your reports and score.
3. Dont get close to your credit limit: Credit scoring models look at how close you are to being
maxed out, so keep your balances low in proportion to your overall credit. Experts advise keeping
your use of credit to no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit. That means that if you have
$12,000 of available credit on one open account, you shouldnt use more than $3,600.
You can decrease your credit utilization ratio over time by paying as much of your credit card balance
as possible each month. If you can, pay more than the minimum balance due; this will increase your
available credit and decrease your utilization ratio faster.
Call $tand By Me 50+ for a free credit report in New Castle County 302-651-3401
in Kent/Sussex Counties 302-415-1542.
(https://www.usa.gov/features#item-211818)
9

MEMBERS COUNCIL MESSAGES

ANNUAL HOLIDAY DINNER DANCE

Sponsored by WSC Membership Council
Friday, December 11, 2015
5:00-9:00 p.m.
Donation: $10.00
Tickets will be on sale: October 5, 2015 to November 20, 2015
Contact:
Marie Dash 302-655-8979 Ella Huff 302-2990-7397
Ann Brathwaite 302-575-0639 Laura Jones 302-658-9434
Delores Spencer 302-656-8416 Frances Hunt 302-2887-5998

Welcome to new Council Members Ann Brathwaite and Frances Hunt.

BY-LAWS AMENDMENT
An amendment to Article XIII, Section 1 has been proposed. A revised amendment was formally
read and published at the 10/14/15 meeting of the Members and will be published in the November
2015 and December 2015 newsletters. A final will vote will take place at the Members Meeting on
1/13/16.
Proposed Amendment to Article XIII, Section 1 of the By-Laws
Section 1: Sunshine Fund

ARTICLE XIII - MULTI-PURPOSE FUND

The Sunshine Fund is to be used for members who are sick and/or shut-in, and upon the death of
someone in the members family, i.e., spouse, child, mother, father, sister and/or brother, to
provide a bereavement donation to that member. The member must be in good standing.
Cards will be sent to the sick and shut-in members.
A monetary donation is to be given to the Wilmington Senior Center member in the amount of
$15.00. If two (2) or more members in the same family share the same loss, each member is
entitled to receive a monetary donation of $15.00. Each member must be in good standing, i.e., a
paid-up member according to the current records of the Wilmington Senior Center. The amount of
the monetary donation is subject to change at the discretion of the Membership Council by a
majority vote.
If the deceased party was a member in good standing, and has no family currently active with the
Wilmington Senior Center, the donation, upon approval by the Membership Council may be donated
to their ancestral family or their religious family (church, synagogue or temple).
Note: this amendment was necessitated because the most recently adopted by-laws did not include
guidelines for honoring a member in good standing who did not have family currently active with the
center. Results of a related survey were overwhelmingly in favor of making a donation to the
members ancestral or religious family if and when this situation occurs.
10