Tale Through the Mail: Wood County Senior Center Edition

In August of 2020, we started a Collaborative Story Project! Eight different stories originated from our eight senior center locations. Participants were asked to do the following:  

1. Record your information on the contact sheet.

2. Add a sentence or two to the story on the blank pages provided. 

3. Mail or hand-deliver the story to a friend or family member! 

We asked that the stories be returned to WCCOA around October 31, 2020 to be published here. Check back on January 8 when the Northeast Area Senior Center Story will be published!

Wood County Senior Center Story

Contributing Authors: 

Charlene Avery, Carol Ballard, Becky Bhaer, Vicki Carver,  Linda Frizzell, Nada Knauss, Debbie LeGalley, Joyce Osterud, Marilyn Riewaldt, and Jo Sipes.  

There's an old legend that talks about magical fairies living in the forest... 

    Stacy's grandparents have a farm near the forest, or "big woods" as they call it. Stacy knew about the legend and magical fairies, and although she didn't really believe in fairies, she did wonder...

    Whenever Stacy visited her grandparents' farm she loved to walk through the woods and ponder how she would recognize the signs of the fairies' existence. She listened and observed as she walked along well-loved paths. Then one day...

    Stacy saw something flitting in the trees and felt as if she was being watched. 

    "It's only my imagination playing tricks on me," she thought. But after a few minutes, she realized she HAD seen something - a small human-like form with diaphanous wings, long golden hair, and a lovely smiling face. It seemed harmless enough, almost friendly in its appearance so Stacy approached the tree in which the being appeared to be sitting. 

    Stacy said very quietly and slowly, "HELLO". A big voice answered back and said, "I am Susie Sunshine. Do you want to be friends?"

    Stacy thought about answering and finally said "OK, I'd like to be your friend. Can I tell my grandparents about you? Will they believe me? How did you get up there in the tree? Did you fly?"

    Stacy, when your grandparents were young, they believed in fairies. As people lose their innocence of youth, their visions of fairies dim. Perhaps we could rekindle their excitement. Let's try! Ready for an adventure?

    Stacy felt immediately that she could trust the new friend. And she lifted her arms to be caught up in the awe of Susie Sunshine. Together, they flew into the dense forest around and around until a bright glow appeared in the thickest part of the "big woods". As they floated down to a wondrous sight of diaphanous beings dancing and singing, Stacy could hardly wait to tell her grandparents all about this.

    Stacy and Susie Sunshine headed west towards the farm. It was quite a long walk and as they went along their way, Stacy noticed Susie Sunshine wasn't as bright as she was earlier in the day. Stacy asked Susie Sunshine if she would like to stop and rest. Susie Sunshine explained to Stacy that she would be setting soon but would be back bright and early the next morning. Stacy was so excited she hurried back to her grandparents to tell them all about the amazing adventures she had that day. When Stacy got back to the farm her grandmother was outside hanging up the laundry. She looked very busy so Stacy went to look for her grandfather. Stacy looked for quite a while and couldn't find him anywhere. She started walking towards the woods to see if maybe he had gone to collect firewood. As she went further into the woods she came to a clearing and was shocked to see who her grandfather was with...

    He was sitting on a log with a sad look on his face and there was a little gnome, looking equally distressed, standing beside him. Although shocked at the sight of the gnome, Stacy was more surprised by the sad look on her grandfather's usually smiling face. 

"What is wrong, Papa?", she asked with tears starting to flood her eyes. 

"One of my favorite cows has wandered off into the forest, he replied, so I came to ask my friend Lucky Nocktonick if he could help me find her. It's his job to watch over the livestock, but he was distracted by another cow giving birth and didn't see Clover go off alone. He has been unable to find her and, since Clover is also due to have a calf soon, I'm afraid wolves or a bear might get her and her calf if it's born in the forest. I love Clover and don't want anything to happen to her, but the forest is so big. I don't know how we'll find her before it's too late." 

Stacy smiled a big smile and practically shouted "I'll get Susie Sunshine and her friends to look for her." 

"Susie Sunshine?" Her grandfather asked with a puzzled look. 

"She's my new fairy friend", Stacy said with glee, and there are many more like her. They can search the whole forest in no time because they fly so fast!" Stacy took off and ran into the forest yelling "Susie Sunshine, I need you!" 

Within seconds, Stacy was surrounded with what seemed like hundreds of fairies with Susie Sunshine in the lead. "What do you need?" Susie asked with concern. Stacy quickly explained and the fairies took off with a whoosh of tiny wings. 

Stacy ran to tell her Grandfather and the words were no sooner out of her mouth than Susie Sunshine was beside her reporting that Clover had been found and she did indeed have a healthy new baby. The other fairies were standing guard over her until Lucky Nocktonick could stay with her and the calf until they were able to walk back to the barn. Susie led Papa, Stacy and Lucky to where Clover was. Papa decided to name the calf Sunshine to honor Susie Sunshine. He was so grateful to the fairies that he invited all of them to come to his farm anytime they wanted and enjoy all the fresh cream and butter his cows supplied that they could use. Stacy could not wait to tell her mom and dad that she had met a fairy AND a gnome and what they had done. Her parents just smiled sweetly and her mother said "That's nice honey. We'd better go home and put you in bed. Your imagination is running away with you."

Subaru Share the Love Event

 

The Subaru Share the Love event is held once a year by Subaru of America. During the designated time, any purchase or lease of a new Subaru is eligible for a donation of $250 to a participating charity of the purchaser's choice. Meals on Wheels America is one of those participating charities. 

Our home delivered meal program at WCC OA is a member program of Meals on Wheels America. Therefore, we are eligible to be the recipient of a portion of any monies donated in the name of Meals on Wheels! We participate in many activities throughout the event to be deemed eligible to receive this money. One of the qualified activities is to talk with volunteers who may drive Subarus and we have two active volunteers who do just that. Read more below about these volunteers and their experiences. 

Larry & Sandy Batoki

Larry and Sandy chose a Subaru because, after much research, it seemed like one of the most reliable vehicles on the market and had great reviews. Since Sandy is shorter, she liked the fact that she could sit up higher in the vehicle they chose! 

Larry and Sandy enjoy the clients they serve. Sandy is the driver while Larry is the “face” that most clients see. He has formed many meaningful relationships with the clients over the years.

Peggy Booth

Peggy liked the safety record of Subaru vehicles, so last March when she needed a new car, she thought the Subaru Forester would be good for her. It is big enough to pack a lot of stuff when she makes her summer trips to Maine, but isn't TOO big. She is very happy with her decision and loves her Subaru Forester! She likes the style and safety features. She drove it in snow for the first time this week, and it handled very well.  At one point, when looking for a new address for meal delivery, she had to stop quickly in the snow, and it did so, no problem. Some of her prior vehicles didn’t have enough leg room in the second seat for passengers. This vehicle is very comfortable for both her passengers and for her!

Peggy's favorite part of delivering meals is getting to know the personalities of the clients she delivers to. She knows that her delivery is probably the highlight of their day.  Most of them give me her a big smile and thank you. She also enjoys comments on the meal of the day – either excited, or wishing it was was the WCCOA meatloaf. 

Thank you to Peggy, Sandy & Larry for taking the time to answer our questions and pose for a quick picture before your meal deliveries. And of course, thank you for your continued service to the older adults you serve across Wood County!

November Trivia Contest Answers

Home Delivered Meal clients received an Ohio History trivia flyer at the beginning of November. Anyone who completed the trivia and returned it to WCCOA was entered to win an Ohio themed gift basket (pictured below) sponsored by Walker Family Funeral Homes & Crematory! 

The winner of the November gift basket was John Davis from Perrysburg, Ohio!

NOVEMBER TRIVIA ANSWERS

Correct answers are underlined.

1. What state is the Liberty Bell located in?  Pennsylvania 

2. What is the most populated state in America?  California

3. Whose face appears on the fifty dollar bill?  Ulysses Grant

4. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from which country?  France

5. What historic U.S. document was signed in 1776?  Declaration of Independence

6. What is the longest river in the United States?

    A. Mississippi River       B. Colorado River

    C. Missouri River         D. Columbia River

7. Who was the first President to live in the White House?

     A. George Washington     B.  John Adams

     C. Andrew Jackson          D. James Monroe

8. The ________________ is the first ten amendments to the constitution?

    A. Declaration of Independence      B. Bill of Rights

    C. Pledge of Allegiance                   D. National Anthem

9. This military branch is the only branch that falls under the Department of Homeland Security?

    A. Army                   B. Navy

    C. Marine Corps      D. Coast Guard

10. This monument was built to honor the United States, first president and stands 555 feet tall?

      A. Washington Monument        B. Mount Rushmore    

      C. Lincoln Memorial                   D. Thomas Jefferson Memorial

11. Which of these is NOT a branch of the United States Government?

      A. Legislative       B. Judicial

      C. Presidential    D. Executive

12. What year did the tradition of playing football on Thanksgiving begin?

      A. 1876 (shortly after the game was invented)     B. 1912

      C. 1943                                                                      D. 1966

13. This was the first year of the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade which stretched 6 miles?

      A. 1920       B. 1922

      C. 1924       D. 1926

14. Since at least 1947, what has the US President been presented with on Thanksgiving ?

      A. Candied Yams              B. Live & Dressed Turkeys

      C. Stove-Top Stuffing       D. Homemade Cranberry Sauce 

15. Finish this quote by W. Clement Stone . “If you are really thankful, what do you do? You…….?

      A. Pray         B. Smile

      C. Feast        D. Share

16. What is the name of the famous rock where the pilgrims first landed?

      A. Rosetta Stone            B. Blarney Stone

      C. Plymouth Rock        D. Rock of Gibraltar

 

17. Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for Plumbers.  TRUE

18. The first Thanksgiving in 1621 lasted 3 days.  TRUE

19. Woodrow Wilson was the first US president to appear on television.   FALSE 

       (It was not Woodrow Wilson: Franklin Roosevelt appeared first.)

20. In 1918, the Bubonic Plague killed 548,000 people in America.  FALSE

      (It was not the bubonic plague but the flu epidemic.)

21. Federalism allows the sharing of power between the states and the national              

      government. TRUE

22. Winston Churchill played prominent roles in both WWI and WWII.   TRUE

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - NOVEMBER 2020

 Danilda Lee

Danilda started volunteering for WCCOA over 10 years ago. At that time, she was driving through Bowling Green when she noticed the flower beds at the Wood County Senior Center were in need of some TLC. She shared her opinion with the volunteer coordinator and as Danilda phrased it, “When you open your mouth and insert your foot, you’d better be prepared to put your money where your mouth is!” She was given the volunteer job of planting, watering and weeding for the Center for several years. Eventually, Danilda moved on from those tasks and began assisting in the dining room at lunch time, watering the inside plants, helping the Programs Department with the newsletter, and whatever else was needed. She is also a Senior Club member and co-coordinator of the gift shop.

Danilda was born in Henry County and is the 10^th out of 12 children. She attended Holgate High School and in 1962, she moved to Bowling Green to become a nanny for the Kaufman Family. She was also a cook in their restaurant in town. In 1963, she began her career at BGSU where she worked in food service at the Falcon’s Nest and then as the housing office secretary. She finally moved to Jerome Library at BGSU and retired in 2001. Danilda was married in 1975. Together they had a son in 1976 and adopted a daughter in 1980. She has 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Danilda enjoyed bowling for many years and met her husband while doing so! She also enjoys gardening, cooking and baking. She loves to attend the school activities and sporting events of her grandchildren. She is thankful for her love of gardening because it brought her to WCCOA! She has learned so much here including the technology skills needed to attend virtual programming, and thoroughly enjoys playing cards and being with her friends, most of whom she’s met through the senior center.

Thank you, Danilda, for your service to the Wood County Committee on Aging!

October Trivia Contest Answers

Home Delivered Meal clients received an Ohio trivia flyer at the beginning of October. Anyone who completed the trivia and returned it to WCCOA was entered to win an Ohio themed gift basket (pictured below) sponsored by Walker Family Funeral Homes & Crematory! 

The winner of the October basket was Janice Ernst from Bradner, OH! 

OCTOBER TRIVIA CONTEST ANSWERS

Correct answers are underlined.

1. How many counties are there in Ohio? 88 Counties

2. What is the state bird of Ohio? Cardinal

3. This Ohio city is home to the world’s largest apple basket that stands over 29 feet tall? Newark, Ohio

4. This actor, boxer, comedian was born in London England and moved to Cleveland at age 4? Bob Hope

5. In what Ohio city is the Pro Football Hall of Fame located?  Canton, Ohio

6. This 1994 film was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio?

    A. American History X               B. The Shawshank Redemption 

    C. The Green Mile                      D. The Great Escape

7. What is the official state tree of Ohio?

     A. Spruce        B.  Buckeye

     C. Pine            D. Maple

8. What is Ohio’s State Flower?

    A. Red Rose                    B. Pansy

    C. Scarlet Carnation        D. Tulip

9. This was the nation’s first interracial, coeducational college?

    A. Oberlin College         B. Athens College

    C. Miami University      D. Beckfield College

10. Cleveland chocolate maker Clarence Crane invented this candy in 1912?

      A. Sugar Daddy                                    B. Bottle Caps    

      C. Dum Dum Sucker                            D. Life Savers

11. This city boasts the Major League Baseball team that is the oldest to play continually in one city?

      A. Cincinnati         B. Columbus

      C. Cleveland         D. Dayton

12. This Ohio city boasted America’s first traffic light in 1914?

      A. Toledo                B. Cleveland

      C. Youngstown       D. Akron

13. This Ohio city is the rubber capital of the world?

      A. Akron                 B. Lima

      C. Westerville         D. Piqua

14. This Wapakoneta man was the first to walk on the moon?

      A. Michael Collins              B. Neil Armstrong

      C. Robert Overmyer            D. John Glenn

15. How many United States president’s were born in Ohio?

      A. 5        B. 6

      C. 7        D. 8

16. Ohio gave America its first ________ in 1900 created by Harry Stevens?

      A. Animal Cracker       B. Hot Dog

      C. Pancake                   D. Banana Split

 

17. Columbus was Ohio’s first capital city.  T or F

18. Ohio’s State flag is a rectangle in shape.  T or F

19. The first airplane was invented by Dayton natives the Wright Brothers.   T or F

20. The very first mechanical cash register was invented in Dayton, Ohio.  T or F

21. There is a “Things Swallowed Permanent Display” at the Allen County Museum in Lima, Ohio that features items that have been swallowed and retrieved by doctors.  T or F

 

LGBTQ + You! - Presentation by Dakota Morrison

Dakota L. Morrison is currently a Junior at Bowling Green State University majoring in AYA Integrated Social Studies Education, with minors in both History and Popular Culture. Coming out in 2014 at his small, rural high school outside of Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, Morrison saw the levels of discrimination and ignorance regarding LGBTQ+ topics and identities which led to his current studies regarding the queer experience including the effects of homonormativity on greater society and the impact the queer community and punk scene have had on one another’s development over the past 4 decades.

Dakota's presentation to the WCCOA explains: the difference between sex and gender, common gender identities such as “transgender”, “nonbinary”, “agender” and other gender identities, common sexualities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual and other sexual identities, and romantic attraction. Along with the defining of common LGBTQ+ identities, the presentation provides the answers to common questions you might have about the community such as: “What words am I not supposed to use?” “What do I say when someone comes out to me?” “What’s all this about pronouns?” “What issues do LGBTQ+ people still have today?” Learn to understand, accept, and love the queer people in your life!

You can watch Dakota's presentation “LGBTQ + You!” here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VB0SbjQvq4&t=2529s

Dakota is happy to answer any questions or have any discussions that will further your understanding of today’s political landscape regarding LGBTQ+ people. You can email Dakota at: dakmorr@bgsu.edu 

If you prefer to speak on the phone, please contact Danielle Brogley, Director of Programs, WCCOA to obtain Dakota's phone number. Danielle can be reached by emailing programs@wccoa.net or by calling 419.353.5661 or 800.367.4935

Find more resources on the LGBTQ+ community here: 

Watch this YouTube series to learn about all kinds of LGBTQ+ identities:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOMb3C2TgwAbQl6NOsOOw-dV9jBwVRcuN

Read more about common identities here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jBJEQL8_gCOoDvVLTR7Cb9NUGjPMSPau/view?usp=sharing

Read more about the history of the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for civil rights here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16gbcyCCHrbbrF09oZU8364VwnxwBsRZz/view?usp=sharing

Gay or Christian? You can be both! View a reaffirming pamphlet here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ABWq1-9g2LdPvvtACpLgFTMIzNeOnZA1?usp=sharing

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - OCTOBER 2020

 

Shade Combs

Shade was born in West Virginia and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He moved to Bowling Green in 1959 and married his wife Ginny in 1962. In 1963 he went into the army for two years and served in Germany. Shade worked at Campbells Soup for 27 years, retiring in 1997. After retiring, he worked at J.C. Penney’s for five years. Shade became a volunteer at the senior center because he enjoys keeping busy and being around other people.   Shade and his wife Ginny of 58 years enjoy cruises and traveling. Shade also enjoys bike riding, walking and swimming.

Thank you, Shade, for your service to the Wood County Committee on Aging!

 

Duane Shively

Duane has always had a love for volunteering. He retired in 2014 because of a cancer diagnosis and after his chemotherapy treatments were completed in April of 2015, he was ready to begin volunteering again. At that time, an acquaintance of his was assisting with the Guiding Pathways program at WCCOA, a respite program for those with mild to moderate cognitive impairments. When his acquaintance had to step away from the project because of a family emergency, she asked Duane if he would be interested in taking her place and he happily accepted! Since then Duane has continued to volunteer for the Guiding Pathways program and has also volunteered for the Tax Aide program since 2018.

Duane spent 33 years in the insurance business at Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent). He also taught classes at Hondros College to those seeking a career in insurance, and taught Continuing Education classes to current insurance agents. During his career, his company awarded a “Community Citation Award” to those who went above and beyond to serve their community. Because of Duane’s commitment to community service, including his leadership of the community service projects at work, he received this award. Duane has also served on the Genacross Youth and Family Board since 1996.

Duane is active at his church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in McClure, where he is the current Congregation President. He most recently spent time working on their 125^th Anniversary Celebration which took place this year. Outside of volunteering, Duane also enjoys college football. He has been an Ohio State fan since he was a kid. (GO BUCKEYES!) He also enjoys reading about WWII, inspired by a late friend of his who served as a B17 Ball Turret Gunner in WWII.

Thank you, Duane, for your service to the Wood County Committee on Aging!