Senior News

by MARLA LENT

Office on Aging

A theme party will not be held at the Elms this month. Instead there is a car show on Sunday, Sept. 20 with lunch, snacks and entertainment.

It is not too late to turn in an application to qualify for the Homestead Exemption on your property taxes. If you have already done so, you do not need to do it again. It will be good as long as you reside in that residence. If you need a form, you can pick one up on the third floor of the Town Hall in the Office of Aging or call 647-2626 ext. 5. You must have a copy of your driver's license to include with the application. This is a simple task that could save you hundreds of dollars.

Save your appetites to sample all the goodies at the Lorain County Fair. On Thursday, Aug. 27 free admittance to seniors and veterans will be offered. The Senior Bus will run its regular schedule from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, but if you would like to run over to the fair in the morning between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., call the bus office and sign up. Another trip will be offered between noon and 12:30 p.m. If you are ready to come home by then, be at the same location where you were dropped off and you can get a ride back. The second pick up time and your last chance to get a ride back home will be 3:30 p.m. Also, let the driver know if you will not be riding back with them so they don't think they have left anyone stranded. Cost for the trip is 50 cents both ways.

Allied Waste will be providing a green container to go alongside your blue container. Green is for your recyclables. All recyclables can be placed in the same green container such as glass, plastic, newspaper and clean cardboard. Seniors 60 and older will receive this service free. However you must provide proof of age (driver's license or Golden Buckeye) and residency in order to get this free service.

Too many people are going without food unnecessarily. If you or someone you love is struggling to keep food on the table, have them contact Marcia Kubach, Outreach Coordinator for Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio at (440) 326-4825 or e-mail mkubach@secondharvestfoodbank.com. In about 15 minutes, she can let you know if you are eligible for the food assistance program. Typically for a person living alone, your gross monthly income would not exceed $1,127. Even if you are a little over, still give her a call. All information will be kept strictly confidential so you need not worry about others knowing your personal business. If you qualify, no one will ever know as your benefits are put on an electronic card similar to a debit card. You simply swipe it through the machine at your local grocers and can go merrily on your way with plenty of nutritious food. Remember you cannot purchase non-food items, pet food or alcoholic beverages through this program.

September Events

* Tuesday, Sept. 1: Christner Hearing Services will be available from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the second floor of the town hall. This is a free hearing test but an appointment must be made by calling 647-4626 ext. 5.

* Wednesday, Sept. 9: The volunteer recognition luncheon will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 512 N. Main St. at noon. The volunteers eat free; let them know you are a volunteer when you sign up so they can make a notation next to your name. Reservations need to be in by Sept. 5. The menu will include ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, roll, beverage and dessert. The mayor will be cooking while Father Reymann and crew will be hosting. In addition to the recognition of volunteers, Jerry Shimmer will be on keyboards. Cost for the luncheon of non-volunteers is $4.

* Thursday, Sept. 10: Enjoy a free pancake breakfast at the Elms Retirement off Prospect Street. The breakfast will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 10:30 a.m.

* Wednesday, Sept. 16: Take a trip to Put-in-Bay; rain date is Sept. 23. The bus leaves town at 8:15 a.m. and the cost is $36.

* Sunday, Sept. 20: The Harvest of the Arts, a car show, and lunch will be held in the Town Hall square and Elms Retirement yard on Prospect Street. Fun begins at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

* Friday, Sept. 25: Enjoy a trip to Hartville. One bus will be available and it will leave town at 9 a.m. The cost is $10.

* Sunday, Sept. 30: A trip to Smithville and Fall Foliage is planned. The bus leaves town at 9:30 a.m. and cost is $10.