August 14th, 2008
On August 22, 2008, five hundred wine enthusiasts and philanthropists gathered at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs to lend their support to Senior Services of Albany’s Meals on Wheels (MOW) program. Guests at the tenth anniversary event were treated to fine wines, craft beers, gourmet cuisine, live jazz, and live and silent auctions, each showcasing one-of-a-kind packages. The event exceeded all expectations and netted more than $100,000 in much-needed support for Senior Services’ MOW program, a service that delivers more than 308,000 meals to homebound elderly every year.
”This has been a challenging year for our Meals on Wheels program with the price of gas affecting all aspects of our work, from delivery to food costs. Demand for home delivered meals has increased by 30% this year, and the funds raised from this event will help us to meet the growing demand for our services and make sure that the elderly who need us never go without,” said Senior Services of Albany’s Executive Director Jane Schramm. “We thank all our sponsors and supporters for making this event such a huge success.”
The event was made possible by presenting sponsor The David B. Silipigno Foundation with support from All Star Wine and Spirits and Media Logic.
The Travers Wine Tasting is the area’s premier wine tasting, and this year featured wines from around the globe, a beer tasting, hand-rolled cigars, music by Jill Hughes, and creative feasts from the finest local restaurants including, Vin Santo, Springwater Bistro, The Glen Sanders Mansion, Yono’s, Classè Catering, Hattie’s, Debbie’s Kitchen and the Farm House at the Top of the World.
The live auction, which raised more than $34,000, featured a N.O.A. watch from Frank Adams Jewelers; a one-year lease on a 2008 Audi A-4 from Langan Audi; a wine grotto from Earl B. Feiden; trips to Sanibel Island, Longboat Key and Napa Valley; a fur coat from Max Zeller; a designer gown and necklace from Saratoga Trunk; a luxury spa party from Complexions; a party for 20 from Hattie’s; and a 2.5 percent stake in a Thoroughbred racehorse. Bidding was hot, and auctioneer LeGrande Serras and emcee Kristina Krawchuk kept the ball rolling and the fun flowing.
The silent auction was also packed with many desirable goodies and packages, and the competitive bidding raised more $12,000. Happy winners brought home spa packages; restaurant and travel packages; wine; artwork; and a myriad of other fabulous items.
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May 9th, 2008
Five outstanding seniors have been selected to receive this year’s Third Age Achievement Awards. Now in it’s 13th year, the awards recognize individuals over the age of 60 who are involved in their communities and making a difference every day. To learn more, Go to SSA’s 3rd Age Page >>
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May 8th, 2008
It’s official. The Third Annual Senior Idol held June 18 in the Louise Corning Center auditorium, was a success. In fact it was a huge success as more than 200 people enjoyed 18 acts from around the Capital Region. From Elvis, to Liza, with a little opera, some gospel, bluegrass and jazz, the show had something for everyone.
The evening started off with a wonderful medley by Capital Connection, a female barbershop quartet. Emcee John Gray, Fox 23 news anchor, kept the night moving along, introducing acts like Two Old Friends, Dennis Bailey and Russ Reed doing the Everly Brothers, Naomi Clarke and Al Williams, a brother/sister jazz duo with Naomi on piano and vocals and Al on upright bass, and the Highsteppers, a group of 7 talented tap dancers
Later in the evening, Charlie Peterson of Troy, sang a moving “Oh Holy City” followed by a surprising performance from Justine Caldes. Caldes, 72, from Rensselaer, began her act demurely with a version of Stormy Weather, but quickly changed her tune. With a turn of her back and a yank at her skirt, she spun around to reveal Liza Minnelli, complete with bustier, garters and stockings and commenced to belt out a lusty version of Cabaret, causing the audience to cheer and emcee Gray to comment, “Well, now we’ve gone from heaven to hell.”
Several acts featured Senior Services’ own, including Sarah Lee Trotter of Albany performing a one-of-a kind dramatization on the dangers of smoking, and the newly formed choir from the Westview Senior Center featuring the powerful vocals of John Caldwell. And no one in the audience could resist singing along with Jackie Hilton of Albany as she sang touching acappella Amazing Grace.
There was more of course, Elvis in the form of Dwight Moss, and Roy O’Dell of Amsterdam, swinging to a song from 1957, Party Doll. Diane Russo, 82, a returning star of Senior Idol past, performed a steamy version of Someone to Watch Over Me.
Closing out the night, Stan Simkins took the stage and wowed the crowd with a big, beautiful Italian aria.
Performers had to be over 60, (with a few exceptions made for younger members of the Highsteppers) and everyone had to audition for a spot on the program. From the 40 acts that auditioned, 18 were chosen to represent the best senior talent around. This year, the event was sponsored by MVP Gold, with help form Atria Shaker and the Spotlight Newspapers., and according to Senior Services’ Executive Director Jane Schramm, “Were already planning for the 4th Senior Idol, and it’s going to be even bigger and better.”
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March 24th, 2008
As we reported in our Legislative Alert last week, the Senate Budget Resolution included a Smith-Lincoln amendment to increase FY 2009 funding for Older Americans Act programs by $184 million over current fiscal year levels. Now Senators Smith and Lincoln have taken their advocacy and support to the next level. They are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter to the other Members of the Senate to ask that every Senator sign a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member (that is, the Democrat and Republican leader) of the Appropriations Subcommittee to include the $184 million increase in the Senate funding bill. You can click on the link below to see a copy of that letter. That $184 million would be spread across Older Americans Act programs, and it would mean an approximately 9 percent increase for meal programs.
Members of the Senate are back in their home states now for the Easter Break, so we suggest that you take advantage of the opportunity to contact your two Senators and ask that they agree to sign the bipartisan letter in support of increased funding for our programs. You may even want to forward along a copy of the “Dear Colleague” to clarify which letter you are talking about and to reiterate your point.
In the House, our good friend Congressman Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey has included a request for $184 million as part of his personal priorities submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee. Although there is no “Dear Colleague” circulating in the House at this time, we would still encourage you to ask your Representatives in the House to support this funding level. We expect LoBiondo and others will be circulating letters later in the spring.
Please click here to see the “Dear Colleague” letter
Meals On Wheels Association of America
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June 11th, 2007
Seven community volunteers were recognized for their contributions to Albany County residents by County Executive Michael Breslin at an April ceremony.
Judith Blair of Menands, Ann Donohue of Delmar, William Dickson of Glenmont, Robert Lewis of Watervliet, Marianne Rings of Albany, John Scherer of Voorheesville and Brenda Wood of Preston Hollow were the 2007 honorees.
Judith Blair was nominated for the award by Senior Services of Albany’s Volunteer Coordinator Bethany Meade. According to Meade, Blair was an obvious choice for the nomination.
To begin with, Blair is the co-founder of Community Friends and Neighbors, a volunteer organization that provides visits and transportation, grocery shopping assistance and help with errands to more 50 elderly residents of Menands.
Through a grant from Albany Presbyterian, Blair and 20 volunteers keep busy visiting, escorting and transporting, shopping and running errands, and calling to check on their elderly clients. For Christmas, the group put together 42 gift bags for their clients and also delivered flowers and plants to those in nursing homes.
In addition to her work with Community Friends and Neighbors, Blair volunteers weekly for Senior Services of Albany’s Meals on Wheels program, delivering meals to homebound residents of Albany County. “Judith is a devoted volunteer who truly cares about those she serves and has gone above and beyond to make sure no elderly in her community are forgotten,” said Meade.
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May 23rd, 2007
The largest growing group of people playing video games are not teenagers!
By George Lewis
Correspondent
NBC News
Updated: 6:49 p.m. ET April 9, 2007
SEATTLE - Call it the graying of the gamers: The largest growing group of people playing videogames in this country is not teenagers, it’s seniors. So move over kids, and give Granny the controller.
“It exercises our brain,” said Ginger Kotz, a resident at Sedgebrook, a senior living community. “Yeah, it’s therapy!”
The big favorite among this group is virtual bowling on the hottest new game gadget, the Nintendo Wii.
“You actually believe that you’re at the bowling alley only you’re not lugging around a fourteen- or fifteen-pound ball,” said Donald Hahn, also a Sedgebrook resident.
If you think that only teenagers play videogames, you’re wrong. As millions of baby boomers approach retirement age, the makers of these games are reaching out to an older audience.
At a company called PopCap in Seattle — seller of downloadable games on the Internet — they frequently call on older people to check out their products.
“Forty-seven percent of our audience is over 50 and 19 percent are over 60,” says John Vechey, founder of PopCap Games. “That’s about 2.5 million seniors per month coming to our site to play games.”
The makers of video games make no claims that using their products will slow down Alzheimer’s or other ailments that seniors dread. But on the other hand, it makes them feel sharp and it feels good.
“And it allows people to have fun again,” says Perrin Kaplan, vice president of Nintendo. “If you can have real, pure fun for 20 minutes a day, that’s a good gift.”
And if you go to Sedgebrook retirement home, they promise to clean your clock at bowling.
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March 7th, 2007
Albany- You are invited to attend a free seminar sponsored by Senior Services of Albany and the Capital District Senior Issues Forum. This seminar is designed to give seniors and their caregivers the information they need to make good health care choices. The program will provide guidelines, pose helpful questions, and provide a wealth of information on making the right choices for you or someone you love. Participants will receive a free copy of a new booklet, Setting The Course: What Older Adults Should Know About Health Care Choices, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Seating is limited, so call 465-3325 today to reserve your seat for this informative program.
Topics covered will include:
• Adult Day Services
• Home Care
• Certified Home Health Agencies
• Licensed Home Care Service Agencies
• Long Term Home Health Care
• Personal Care Aides
• Expanded In-Home Services
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation Services
Westview Senior Center
680 Central Ave.
Albany, NY 12206
Tuesday, April 17 at 10 a.m.
Louise Corning Center
25 Delaware Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
Thursday, April 19 at 10 a.m.
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February 16th, 2007
Are you responsible for the care an elderly loved one? Are your hands full running their errands, doing their housework, and administering other personal care? Are you experiencing a loss of freedom? If so, you may want to consider Senior Services of Albany’s Family Caregiver Telephone Groups. The monthly groups allow caregivers to learn helpful strategies and connect with others who are also caring for an elder under the guidance of a professional social worker, and from the comfort of their own home. You cannot care for others without first taking care of yourself, so call the Caregiver Connection at 465-1398 for more information on how to nurture yourself during this challenging time. Program funded by the Albany County Department for Aging. New in 2007 is a group co-led by the Northeastern New York Alzheimer’s Association chapter, with expertise in topics related to memory loss.
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January 17th, 2007
Your chance to be engaged, enriched and energized
Calling all accountants, lawyers teachers, engineers, professionals in the Capital Region!! As you wrap up your career and start to peek around the corner of life after retirement- are you grappling with the question of what’s next? ” SmartWorks” could be for you! SmartWorks is an innovative new volunteer program run by Senior Services of Albany. It is a program for informed, motivated and committed professional Capital Region residents who have retired or who are about to retire, and are seeking opportunities for self-development and community involvement. SmartWorks will match your talent and ability with a newly created leadership project at a local nonprofit organization. Don’t hesitate- SmartWorks is an opportunity for you to get involved in your community.
To receive an application or get further details please contact Teresa Riley at 518.472.2714, or e-mail triley@seniorservicesofalbany.com
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