Major Events

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Adopt-A-Senior Donors Can Make Holidays Merry for CSS Customers

Giving and caring individuals, businesses and groups currently being sought to participate in the annual Adopt-A-Senior program. Donors receive a senior's first name and ID number, along with a "Wish List. The list is a suggestion of gifts, provided by the senior, that the donor purchases based on whatever fits the donor's budget. Donors then drop off the gifts at either our Main office or our Union Township Senior Center located in the Union Township Civic Center.

If you prefer to purchase specific items, you can purchase Gift Pantry Items, which are used by field staff and case managers who then "shop" for their customers from the items donated. Donors can also put together their own gift bags filled with gift pantry items for either a man or a woman.

To Adopt-A-Senior download and complete this form or contact Connie at 513-536-4021.

You may choose to adopt-a-senior, collect household or personal care items for the gift pantry, donate gift/grocery cards, or make a monetary donation.

50s & 60s dance rocks out, rolls in $10,000 for Clermont Senior Services

On March 26, more than 200 guys and gals put on leather jackets and poodle skirts and danced the night away at this year’s Clermont Senior Services 50s & 60s Rock & Roll dance. Interim HomeStyle Services was the main sponsor and food was provided by Golden Rule Catering. Jake Sieber, Sieber Construction also provided additional supporting sponsorship.

Jim LaBarbara, DJ from On the Air Entertainment, (spun the platters) and Elvis tribute artist, Jo-El made a special appearance just in time for the dance and best costume contest. Williamsburg residents, Joyce and Kenny Craig’s “groovy” moves assured them first place in the dance contest and Batavia ‘beatnicks’ Terry and Beckie Musselman’s bongo vibes earned the couple first place in the costume contest.

“The legion hall was packed and many guests commented about how much they enjoyed the music provided by the ‘Music Professor’ Jim LaBarbara. Best of all,” said Executive Director George Brown, “the event raised nearly $10,000 to support our senior services levy, which will be on the ballot this November.”

Save The Date: Levy Dance 2012: Saturday March 24, 2012 - First Committee Meeting Early November 2011.

Clermont Senior Services Annual Golf Outing Venue Change Excellent Choice!

What a beautiful day we had for our 12th annual golf outing on Thursday, June 2. 106 golfers turned out in support of Clermont Senior Services outing held at the Stonelick Hills Golf Club. This was the first year at Stonelick Hills. The new venue turned out to be excellent!

“I have played in a number of golf outings over the years and would have to say, the Senior Services’ was one of the better ones. From the locale (Stonelick, a great golf course choice), the hospitality of the golf committee members and the food, everything was excellent,” remarks Jim Oppold, a first time player in this event.

Congratulations to the top three teams! First Place Team, Performance Lexus’s Ralph Sells, Greg Sullivan, Todd Geers and Dan Vosel. Second Place Team, Rocklin’s Ted Groman, Rick Hemmer, Brian Bode and Mark Fynewever. Third Place Team, Midwestern Plumbing Service’s Jim Bushman, Jim Armstrong, Tom Carr and Derrick Gardner.

Interim Health Care and Jake Sieber, Sieber Construction, Inc. were the two major event sponsors. The Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau, E.C. Nurre Funeral Homes, Midwestern Plumbing Services, National Bank & Trust, RiverHills Bank, American Modern Insurance Group, and Angelo J. Santoro Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, also provided additional supporting sponsorships. Many thanks to Home Depot of Milford, George Brown, Golden Rule Catering, Lee & Jack’s TV & Appliances, The Board Members of Clermont Senior Services, Speedpro Imaging, United Health Care and the Gift In Kind donors for their generosity, and the 24 volunteers that showed up to help out.

Over $17,000 was raised in support of the programs of Clermont Senior Services.

Save The Date: Golf Outing 2012: Thursday, June 7, 2012 – First Committee Meeting Early February

Auction Touches Hearts In A Big Way

We hosted our 12th annual Art, Antique and Collectibles Auction Friday, September 9. Over 200 community members attended the fun and entertaining evening held at Receptions Banquet Center in Eastgate.

Silent auction items ranged from gift certificates to fine china. Guests were able to peruse the silent auction items and make bids before and after dinner. Joel T. Wilson, auctioneer, livened things up as he began showing off the items in the live auction. Football tickets, antiques, and vacation getaways climbed over $300 per item as bidding wars began between guests.

National Bank & Trust, Jake Sieber, Sieber Construction, Inc. and Superior Home Care Plus were the three Platinum event sponsors. E. C. Nurre Funeral Homes, Inc., Mt. Washington Bank, RiverHills Bank, Cincinnati Eye Physicians, Inc., Angelo J. Santoro Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Patt Webb, Home Care by Black Stone, New England Club, Kamphaus, Henning & Hood, CPA’s Inc., Comfort Keepers, and Clermont County Convention & Visitors Bureau also provided additional supporting sponsorships. Special thanks to the Auction Committee Members, Clermont County Sheriff’s Department, the Volunteers and Gift In Kind donors that made the auction possible.

The auction raised just about $33,000, which will be used to support programs such as Meals-On-Wheels, transportation, home care, adult day care and more.

Save the Date: Auction 2012: Friday, September 7, 2012 – First Committee Meeting Early March.

If you would like to receive an invitation, volunteer or serve on the committee for any of the upcoming 2012 events, please contact Frankie Hughart, Events & Communications Coordinator at 515-536-4022.

The Garden Grows

 Garden Club

Each year Williamsburg Garden Club members assist ADS Welcome Center’s customers with preparing the center’s patio-garden for spring. The garden club provides both plants and expertise so customers can enjoy a touch of nature right out their back door. The Welcome Center provides a safe social environment for seniors with early signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s or who have experienced a stroke.

For information on any of the programs sponsored by Clermont Senior Services, call 513-724-1255.

4H'er Collects Pet Food

Charlee, a 4H member and student, wanted to do something for seniors and their pets. She asked her mom, Lynn, if she could collect pet food and pet treats and donate them to Clermont Senior Services Meals-on-Wheels customers for their pets. Charlee and her mom are pictured delivering their donations to Tudor Young, MOW coordinator.

Charlee is planning another pet food drive and involve her 4-H club members.

For information on volunteering, call Connie at 536-4021.

Seniors Groove to Latin Beat

 Zumba

“The beat goes on” at the Union and Miami Township Lifelong Learning Centers, along with the Bethel Center, and does so with a Latin flair. The three centers, sponsored by Clermont Senior Services, offer Zumba Gold classes once a week.

Zumba Gold includes a series of fitness programs specifically designed to take Latin and International dance rhythms in Basic Zumba and bring them to the active older adult, beginner participant, and special populations that need modifications for success. A few Miami Township participants sit during a portion of the class, while one does the routine from her wheel chair.

Weekly group meetings times:

  • 2 PM Thursdays at Miami Township Civic Center - 6101 Meijer Drive
  • 3 PM Tuesdays at Union Township Civic Center - 4350 Aicholtz Road
  • 10:45 AM Tuesdays at Bethel Community Center - 129 N. Union St.
For more information on Lifelong Learning programs please call 947-7333 or visit our information page here.

Welcome Aboard!

 Board

Clermont Senior Services welcomes new members to its board of trustees. From left are: Mary Ellen Steele-Pierce, Mary Lynne Birck, Cyndy Chiaro, Jackie Osborne, Lee Pinkerton and Rich Wright. Tom Cole is the new chairman. New board members and Tom begin their terms in April.

Meet Gene - A Happy Meals-On-Wheels Customer

Gene, 73, lives alone, is a diabetic, and has several health issues. He receives meals-on-wheels, along with homemaking from Clermont Senior Services. Gene says he is very happy with the services, especially his meals. Instead of delivering chilled meals each day, a driver delivers Gene frozen meals once a week on Monday.

"It's a good deal. I get everything - the bread, fruit, vegetables and meat." Gene says. He also enjoys talking to the gentleman who delivers his meals.

For information on the Meals-on-Wheels program, please call 536-4098.

Volunteer Couple Honored

 Volunteer Couple

CSS volunteers Betty and Jim Douglas got to meet Ohio First Lady Karen Waldbillig Kasich, left, and Ohio Department of Aging Director Bonnie Kantor-Burman, right, at the Joined Hearts in Giving recognition reception recently presented at the Governor’s residence.

Jim shops and does light home maintenance and yard work for a homebound CSS customer. Betty regularly visits with the senior and helps with financial and household matters. They also participate in the CSS Adopt-a-Senior program and support the agency’s annual auction.

If you would like to volunteer for the agency, please call Connie at 536-4021.

Tax Help

 Tax Help

AARP volunteers assist seniors with their tax returns at the Union Township LifeLong Learning Center. Free tax help is available until April 8. To make an appointment, please call 947-7333.

George Brown Announces Retirement After 2011

 George Brown

After nearly 40 years of providing services for older adults, including the past 20 years at Clermont Senior Services, I’ll be retiring at the end of 2011. Let’s get one thing out of the way - I will continue to write a column for the Clermont Sun. You can still expect to read about the good things happening at Clermont Senior Services, but don’t be surprised if there are more stories about frightening encounters with fearsome critters, from which (I hope) I will always be able to save myself with a trusty backpack. And, you can expect more stories on my other favorite topic - the interesting, often funny, sometimes odd, and remarkably unexpected adventures that happen from day-to-day in sharing life with my wonderful wife, Yvonne.

Although I’ll be stepping down as executive director at the end of December, I’ll be working with Clermont Senior Services on a contract basis through 2012 to see the Dimmitt Woods senior housing facility through to completion. The architect has completed the design plan, and we are preparing for construction to begin this spring. Dimmitt Woods will be our seventh senior housing facility and may turnout to be the most beautiful. This facility will have 43 apartments and will be located on College Drive near the Batavia post office. We selected the name Dimmitt Woods because the site is part of the original homestead of Ezekiel Dimmitt, the first settler to arrive in this part of Clermont County back in 1798.

My long-term plans are pretty simple but exciting. Like Ezekiel Dimmitt, I’m an adventurer. I’ll be strapping on my hiking boots and hooking up our little Scotty trailer for my “travel trailer sweetheart” and I to hit the road in search of adventure in the National Parks of America. We’ve visited many of the National Parks in the past, but now we will have more time to hike and explore the beauty of the mountain and valley trails at each park.

As for stay-at-home activities, there will be plenty to do. There are many parks nearby with great trails (you may be noticing a pattern here) to enjoy with our grandchildren, and I’ll have more time for gardening, reading, and writing. As many of you have encouraged me to do, I may even assemble my Clermont Sun columns into a book. I’m thinking of a title like, “Reflections of a Meandering Mind”. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if it was good enough to make the Clermont Sun’s best seller list?

A few good friends have expressed concern about whether I’m ready to retire, and I do appreciate their concern. As for financial planning, my thought is that I can’t afford not to retire. I know that’s a double negative, but it succinctly makes my point - Life is short, and time is more precious than money. And besides, how many of us will ever feel we are adequately prepared financially to retire, unless we hit the lottery?

But it is not my finances that my friends are worried about. They’re worried about whether I’m emotionally prepared to retire. I suppose their concern is not unfounded. They know how invested I have been in my career, typically working 50-60 hours per week. How do you disengage from this to take on an entirely new and different life role? Those friends are concerned that I’ll soon get the wanderlust out of my system and become devastatingly bored. I have to admit, I’ve watched a few friends do exactly this. But, I’m hoping my philosophy of retirement will see me through.

I think of retirement as somewhat like a 6 year old boy going off to school for the first time. The little guy (that would be me) may be nervous, but he is immensely excited about all of the life experiences and adventures that lie ahead. At the same time, somewhere in a far corner of his mind, there is a spot where he is a little fearful of leaving the safety and security of his family, and the familiar surroundings of home. But retiring, just like taking that first step to get on the school bus, requires courage – courage to let go of that which is comfortable and familiar in order to seek new experiences and adventures. It is about looking forward rather than back. Being emotionally prepared for retirement includes recognizing, and understanding, that things will not always turn out according to plan. But being emotionally prepared for retirement also includes having courage to believe that this phase of life called retirement, like the phases of life that have already passed by, will be okay if we stay focused on the road ahead, instead of spending our time gazing in the rear-view mirror. Retirement – we all do it differently, and we must each have our own plan, a plan that fits us as individuals. But most importantly, once we have created that plan we must have courage to embrace it and move forward with confidence, prepared to make adjustments along the way as circumstances may require, but always moving forward.

Enough philosophizing. When I retire at the end of 2011, I will miss being a part of the Service with Heart team at Clermont Senior Services. Mostly, I will miss the friendship shared with fellow employees, and with friends and colleagues in the community. But I’ll be okay, and Clermont Senior Services will be okay as well. I’ll be leaving the agency in good hands. Cindy Gramke has nearly 18 years of experience with the agency. She will have a great team of employees working with her, and an exceptional board of trustees to support her leadership.

In the meantime I’ll be here, leading the team to complete some important projects during 2011, including seeking the community’s support for the Senior Services Levy, which will be on the ballot in November.

Troopers Host Luncheon For Seniors

 Troopers Lunch

Ohio Troopers Caring officers weren’t serving tickets to senior consumers Nov. 4th; they were serving a holiday meal. The annual Troopers Thanksgiving Luncheon drew more than 200 seniors and a dozen or so officers who drove more than four hours to attend.

The Troopers have hosted the luncheon for 25 years. The Ohio State Troopers’ Drum and Bugle Corps provided entertainment while From Scratch of Bethel catered the meal that included favorites, such as turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

“Some of the Troopers who participate drive more than 4 hours just to perform for the seniors, that’s how much they are committed to this event,” commented CSS Program Manager Jeanne Siegel. “The seniors look forward to the Trooper’s luncheon every year, they enjoy the interaction, fellowship and for some it’s the only traditional Thanksgiving meal they will receive.”