Hello, Neighbors Network Friends,
No one appreciates the freedoms celebrated on July 4th more than Neighbors Network. Living independently is one of our core values. As you may know, our tagline is “Helping older adults stay independent, active, connected.”
What’s New
Members and Volunteers had a good time at the CFC Arts all-volunteer Big Band program, “The Journey of Jazz.” We enjoyed the smooth and often robust review of the history of jazz from its beginnings in the early 1900s to the 1970s, “from the swingin’ sounds of Duke Ellington and Count Basie to the feel-good vibes of Chuck Mangione and the jazz-funk-soul fusion of Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire.” The uplifting music was a real treat and brought back many memories.
It’s always fun when Members and Volunteers get together to experience something different together.
Upcoming
Free Classes!
Neighbors Network members and the community are invited to join seniors in Chair Exercise led by Sue Burns, a long-time NN Volunteer. Sue’s class is every Monday at 1 p.m. for 45 minutes at Florida Blue in Winter Park Village, 434 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park. The class is FREE and you do not have to be insured by Florida Blue. Some of our Members have already taken her class and liked it very much. Sue recommends bringing a couple of weights, a stretchy band, and a soft ball about 6” in diameter. Plus, water for hydration.
Sue also teaches Tai Chi there on Thursdays at 1 p.m. It’s great for balance for those who can stand unassisted for 45 minutes. There are other classes, too. All the classes are free and open to the community. Thanks to this opportunity, we will no longer hold exercise classes at the Maitland Library.
Spotlight on Volunteers
Buck has been volunteering with us since 2019. A retired home builder, he enjoys fixing things for Members. “It gives me satisfaction” he says when describing why he uses his skills this way.
At 81 and going strong, Buck is glad to do what he can for Members. His can-do spirit and proficient skill set have been applied to many handyman tasks, like installing a smoke alarm, replacing old electrical outlets, assembling a table, changing locks, installing a lock box, adjusting heavy sliding glass doors to get them back on track and taking the extra step to oil the mechanism so they roll smoother. He’s installed a louder doorbell, assembled a multi-shelf unit, installed closet shelves, and more. He was touched by a Member’s delight when he moved her TV lower on the wall, more in line with her view from her chair than where it had been high on the wall. It’s those fixes that make a real difference in a Member’s life.
Buck said he likes “helping people do what they can’t do for themselves.” Of all the tasks he’s accomplished over the years, one stands out in his memory. He made muffins for a 91-year-old Member who was home from the hospital and needed help in her kitchen. Her goal was to enjoy freshly baked homemade muffins. She had all the ingredients and told him how she made them. Buck enjoyed talking with her about her travels around the world and current events while he mixed the ingredients and popped them in the oven. She was delighted to have her favorite muffins, and he left feeling good about what he was able to do for her.
We’re glad to have Buck making a difference for Members for years and appreciate that he fits volunteering with Neighbors Network into his schedule, along with golfing and walking his best buddy, Dolly, 25 miles a week. It was music to our ears when he said, “I plan to continue volunteering as long as I can because it feels good to make a difference for others.” Thanks, Buck!
Thank You
We appreciate your interest in Neighbors Network. It would be great if you would forward this monthly newsletter to your friends and others who may be interested for themselves or someone they know. It’s easy to sign up to receive NN News at the bottom of any page in our website.
Thank you! We hope you have a safe and enjoyable celebration of the 4th of July.