Living the Dream

Director’s Comments
The March wind is blowing and Spring is only a few weeks away. March is going to be
busy here at SOC. We are offering our third “Youthful Spine” workshop , an intergenerational chess tournament and the very popular “Refuse To Be A Victim” “for
women only” seminar in March. Please call the center for registration or more information regarding these programs.
We would like to extend a big “Thank You” to all of the volunteers that attended the
Volunteer Luncheon on Friday, February 26th. This is our way of saying “we appreciate your time and efforts”. A big “Thank You” to our own Sheila Galloway for planning and implementing this memorable event. See page 4 for some pictures from the
event. The luncheon was well attended and fun for all. We’ll do it again next year so
keep volunteering or become a volunteer by calling Sheila at the WCCA/Transylvania
County office at 884-2255 or the Silvermont Opportunity Center at 884-3166.
In closing I would like to remind you about some of the after-hour programs available
to all ages we have going on at SOC. These programs consist of Yoga Pilates Fusion on
Tuesday evenings from 6 - 7:15pm, Social (Ballroom) Dance Thursdays 5:30 - 6:30pm
and Mountain Music on Thursdays 7:30pm—until! Everyone is invited to participate.
Happy St Patrick's Day and Happy Easter.
Chris
Enjoying the Peak of Life
The mission of the Silvermont Opportunity Center is to invigorate
and enhance the quality of life for adults over the age of sixty in
Transylvania County. We provide a range of services, activities, programs, and opportunities designed to encourage active aging and improve the health & well-being of older adults in our community.
Silvermont Opportunity Center is open to all who are 60 years of age and better. There
are no membership fees. You may make a donation to WCCA to help underwrite the costs
of our programs, instructors and program equipment. All donations are appreciated and
are tax deductible.
Silvermont Opportunity Center
364 East Main Street
Brevard, NC 28712
Phone: 828-884-3166
Email:
[email protected]
Living the Dream
Silvermont Opportunity
Center
March 2016 Newsletter
A Division of
Western Carolina Community Action
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICIES
In the event of inclement weather, please tune to WGCR 720 AM,
WSQL 1240 AM or 102.1 FM radio stations or WLOS/ TV channel 13
for information on SOC program closings. Our “Lunch Plus” nutrition program will be closed if Transylvania County schools are closed
or on a 2-hour delay.
Silvermont Opportunity Center programs will open contingent upon
our ability to safely get to the center and if the parking lots are safe .
The TC School schedule WILL NOT dictate the opening/closing of the
center. Delayed opening or closings of the center will be announced
on the above radio stations and will be announced on WLOS.
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Register Now….Coming in April
Refuse To Be A Victim
Women of all ages, join us for the R efuse To Be A
Victim seminar on Thursday, April 14th, 2016 from
3:00 - 5:00pm. During this “ladies only” seminar,
we will discuss the psychology of criminal predators and how mental conditioning and awareness of
your environment gives you protection from them. How can you keep
yourself safe in your home, your workplace or when you travel? How do
you keep your little ones’ safe? How can you protect yourself as a senior
adult or one with a disability? We will give you the basic knowledge needed to formulate a safety plan for these situations and more. Space is limited so you must call Silvermont Opportunity Center to register at 8843166. The cost for the seminar is $30 per person. The instructors certified
to teach this seminar are Holly Boros and Candace Raines.
March: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Silvermont Opportunity Center will be promoting prevention awareness during March.
Did you know, it is estimated that 4,633 people (2,432 males and 2,201
females) in NC were diagnosed in 2015? It affects men and women equally.
Those with a family history of colon cancer OR polyps are at an increased
risk.
If you suffer from Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis or Inflammatory Bowel
Syndrome (IBS) you are at an increased risk. It often has no symptoms in its
early stages.
Drop by and pick up some great information from the CDC regarding
Colorectal Cancer. Education and awareness are key to protecting yourself.
Don’t forget to spring forward on
Saturday night, March 12th one hour.
Andrea Heidmann, Instructor of the Month
In early 2010, I became leader of “Tai Chi Practice” by default.
Our instructor for “Tai Chi for Arthritis” needed to give up our class
after several weeks. At first, we tried to follow the steps we learned
but soon found it easier to follow a VHS/DVD on a large screen TV.
We found the basics of Tai Chi (Qigong movements) were more to
our liking. So, with an ever-growing collection of basic Tai Chi and
Qigong tapes, we continued to get together and “move the chi” and
exercise weekly. It has helped to keep us healthy. I call it our “home
practice”, a practice we most likely would not do at home because of
the many distractions.
Chair yoga began the same way in January 2011. Our first DVD was
a gift from one of the students and that tape remains one of our
favorites.
Exercise has been important in my life since early childhood. I can
remember my dad encouraging me to go for a walk if I had a headache or get involved with sports or work out at the YMCA. I
always felt better when exercise was in my life. We all comment that
we feel better after the class and that is why I continue to lead Tai
Chi Practice on Tuesday mornings and Yoga Practice on Thursday
mornings.
Conversations With The Director
Meet with SOC Director, Chris Parker, to share your
opinion on how things are going at the center, exchange ideas on new programs you would like to see, or concerns that need to be resolved. There are
so many exciting things happening here at SOC! 2016 is going to be a great
year, and we want as much input from our participants AND from those of
you who do not regularly take advantage of all our programs. The sessions
will be held the second Tuesday of each month from 10:00am to 10:30am.
Coffee and snacks will be provided. Please take advantage of this informal
meeting time to get to know Chris better and her vision for SOC!
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For Your Information
Two Wonderful Programs Offered By Local Law Enforcement
Both the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department and the Brevard Police Department
offer Telephone Reassurance Programs for any person who is elderly, living alone, or
disabled. The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office receives many calls from concerned
neighbors or relatives who are worried because they have not seen or heard from an
elderly or disabled person who lives alone. Reassurance puts our senior and disabled population in daily contact with our Sheriff's office who make it their mission to affirm the
safety and welfare of those persons on a daily basis. It is their hope Reassurance will help
save the lives of dozens of people who have fallen, suffered seizures or succumbed to various illnesses. This FREE program is available to all senior citizens or disabled persons living in Transylvania County. For more information or to register for this program, call the
Sheriff’s Office at 884-3168 and ask about the Telephone Reassurance Program.
If you are a resident of the city of Brevard, a similar Reassurance Program can help you.
The Brevard Police Department will call you every day to check on you and make sure
you are all right. If they can’t reach you, a call will be placed to your emergency contact.
If they are not able to reach anyone, an officer will be sent to your home to check on you.
To register for this FREE program, call the Brevard Police Department at 883-2212.
Silvermont Opportunity Center
Health Screenings
Fitness and Health Promotion
Counseling about Insurance
Tax Preparation/Counseling
Legal Services
General Transportation
Medicaid Transportation
Support Groups or Classes for Caregivers
or Others Facing Challenges
Housing Assistance
One on One Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Home Repair/Modification
Home Health Services
In-Home Aide Services
Medicaid Benefits
Medicare A & B Enrollment
Medicare Part D
Social Security Benefits
Job Training
Job Placement
Congregate Meals
Home-Delivered Meals
Adult Day Care / Day Health
Mental Health
Disaster Preparedness Training/
Assistance
Durable Medical Equipment/Assistive
Devices
Hospice Care
Long-Term Care Facilities/AAA Ombudsman
Rehabilitation Services
Reporting Suspected Abuse, Neglect,
or Exploitation
Respite
Senior Games
Telephone Reassurance
Happening this Month
FREE LEGAL ADVICE
This year, the NC Bar Association will once again hold it’s “4 ALL
Statewide Day of Service. On Friday, March 4th, attorneys from
across the state will be available BY PHONE to talk to you about
North Carolina related legal matters. Call in numbers will not be
available until shortly before the service day. To date, we don’t have
the call-in numbers. If we go to print before we receive them, we
will email the numbers to all SOC participants. If you are not on
our email list, you may call SOC at 884-3166 for the numbers.
TURN BACK THE CLOCK!
Youthful Spine # 3/ Conscious Movement Workshop
This is a feel good, relaxing, restorative Pilates to gently open up the spine &
restore the spirit. This third session in a series of four will focus on Core
Strength to support the spine and conscious movement to tone, mobilize and
renew the spine. You will also learn proper posture and alignment and
breathing, as well as dynamic standing and sitting.
Thursday, March 24TH 3:00-4:30PM
$10 drop in or $8 if you prepay.
Call 828-884-3166 to register
Workshop will be held at Silvermont Opportunity Center
CHESS TOURNAMENT
Silvermont Opportunity Center, in collaboration with Mountain
Sun Community School 4th grader Brady Odell, will host a Chess
Tournament at Silvermont on Friday, March 25, 2016. This unsanctioned tournament is open to all ages and abilities. There will
be three rounds of play beginning at 4:00pm with a limit
of 40 players. The cost per player is $5.00 with proceeds going to
Silvermont Opportunity Center. To register and for more information, call Silvermont Opportunity Center at 884-3166.
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For Your Information
Annual WCCA Volunteer Luncheon
Its Tax Time!! AARP volunteer tax income preparers are scheduling appointments for free tax help for low & moderate income taxpayers. When
you have all of the necessary documents and are ready to file, call 884-4787
to make an appointment. If you need transportation to this appointment,
call the SOC office at 884-3166 to make arrangements.
The following are items you need to bring to your appointment:

Copy of last year’s tax return

W-2 forms from all employers

Unemployment compensation statements (1099-G)

State Income Tax refund receipt (1099-G)

SSA-1099 form if you received Social Security benefits

Receipts or cancelled checks for charitable donations-even if you aren’t
itemizing

1099-R for pension, IRA distributions, or other compensation

1099-Misc showing any miscellaneous income

All forms indicating federal income tax paid
“Social Dance to learn the Rhumba”
Beginning Thursday, March 3rd, Rhonda will be
teaching a Rhumba (the dance of love) workshop during Social
Dance. Rhumba is a fun dance and easy to learn. The workshop
will run every Thursday in March from 5:30 until 6:30pm. The
cost is $12.00 for singles per class or $20.00 per couple per class.
Perfect day, great food
and a good time had by
all!
Silvermont Opportunity Center Activities
Ageless Grace: This seated, upbeat and fun exercise program, taught by certified instructor, Carol Gerson, addresses balance, flexibility, muscle strength, breathing and selfconfidence.
Sit & Stitch: Bring your knitting, crocheting or needlework and join this talented group
of women for a “Sit & Stitch” morning.
Bridge: Join one of our largest programs as they try to trick their opponents. Consisting Slow & Easy Dulcimer Practice: Bring your Dulcimer and practice on the 2nd and 4th
of placing bets where the highest trump wins is just part of this highly popular card game. Thursdays at Silvermont with renowned Dulcimer teacher/player, Mary Sherwood.
No experience required, only a Dulcimer.
Free Write: Eager to write? Join class instructor, Darleen O’Dell, as she leads the group
Social Dance: Learn to dance gracefully for weddings, ballrooms or nightclubs with inin a writing session.
structor Rhonda Smith. The cost is $20/couple per class and $12/ singles per class.
Call 884-3166 to register.
Lunch Plus: If you are age 60 or older and would like to come out
M-F and enjoy a morning exercise class, guest speaker or brain games and
Super Scrabble: Join our word-game lovers to play on the big board to create words in a
a hot lunch to follow, consider calling the center for more information regarding our very
popular Lunch Plus Program. Call the center at 884-3166 for more information and enroll- crossword style.
ment. This program is funded through our Home & Community Care Block grant.
Tai Chi Practice: Andrea Heidmann leads this class in this Chinese martial art and
meditative exercise with the assistance of videos.
Mah Jongg: Join the longest running program at Silvermont. This is a game of Chinese
origin, played by 4 people and beautiful tiles. The object of the game is to build a winning
Tech Guy Assistance: Our tech-savvy volunteer Bob Tharpe will meet with you for 1
combo of tiles.
hour, one-on-one to assist you in answering questions you have about your technical device (camera, computer, cell phone, computer, IPAD, IPOD etc.) This is a FREE service
Mountain Music: A Silvermont tradition, this Thursday night jam
session (7:30pm-until) features some of the finest bluegrass pickers and singers in our ar- but you must register by calling the center at 884-3166 to schedule an appointment for
ea. Long-time musician and Silvermont supporter, Harley Raines, leads this very popular Mondays between 1pm and 4pm.
night of great music. Always open to the public, all musicians are welcome to play and
Woodcarving: Open to all skill levels. Come out and enjoy one of Appalachia’s oldest art
sing.
forms—woodcarving. Led by volunteer and woodcarver Carl Munn.
Non-Fiction Book Club: Come out on the third Tuesday of each month at 10:30 am to
Vitality Yoga for Youthfulness & Longevity: Can We Reverse Aging?
discuss books of local interest and find out the book choice of the month.
Yoga matures us like a fine wine! Each class you will learn one reverse aging & life exten** This class will resume in February 2016 **
sion tip. Vitality Yoga focuses on rejuvenating the spine, putting a spring in your step &
reversing aging. Every week you will feel stronger, younger & more vibrant! This class is
Open Studio Pastels Club: Deborah will be demonstrating for a few newbies. You are
welcome to watch or get right to work (play!). She will be available as requested for other led by renowned Yoga/Pilates instructor Kashmyra Asnani.
participants. For more information on these FREE sessions, contact Deborah Kidwell
at 770-301-8990
Yoga: Join instructor, Andrea Heidmann, as she leads the class for increased mediation,
Pilates Yoga Fusion: Yoga is extremely popular worldwide because of its rejuvenating,
better posture and improved breathing with video
feel good qualities. However Pilates protects people from overstretching & exercise injuassistance.
ries because you learn to move from your core. Together they make the perfect anaerobic workout. This class is led by renowned Yoga/Pilates instructor Kashmyra Asnani.
Zumba: Join our upbeat and energetic, instructor Rianna Perry-Mullins, as she leads a
great cardio/dance workout to popular upbeat Latin music. Call 884-3166 for fees.
Readers Theater: This award winning classroom theater program originated in Michigan
in 1992 by Julie Vorus who brought the program to
Drop-In Activities: Board Games, Higher Grounds Coffee Room, Interour center. Participants will read one act plays, scenes, monologs and radio and television
scripts in a relaxed atmosphere. No auditions, memorizing or experience required! Audi- net Access, Walking Trails, Tennis Courts, Basketball Court, Lending
Library, Puzzles, Learning Gardens, Information Center, Mountain
ence-only interested persons welcome.
Music.
March 2016
1
8:30-9:30am
9:30-12pm
10:30-12pm
1-4pm
6-7:15 pm
Tai Chi Practice
Lunch Plus
Pastel Club
Social Bridge
Yoga Pilates Fusion
2
3
9:30-12pm
Lunch Plus
10-12pm
Sit ‘n” Stitch
11:30-12:30pm
Ageless Grace
12:30-2pm
Super Scrabble
1-4pm
Glen Cannon Bridge
1-4pm
Mah Jongg
9-10am
9:30-12pm
3-5pm
5:30—6:30pm
7:30-until
10
7
8
9
9:30-12pm
Lunch Plus
10-11am
Zumba
10:30-11:45am
Vitality Yoga
1-2pm
Reader’s Theater
1-4pm
Mah Jongg
1-4pm
Tech Guy
(by appointment only)
8:30-9:30am Tai Chi Practice
10:00-10:30am Conversations with
The Director
10:30-12pm Pastel Club
1-4pm
Social Bridge
6-7:15pm
Yoga Pilates Fusion
9:30-12pm
10-12pm
11:30-12:30pm
12:30-2pm
1-4pm
14
15
16
17
9 :30-12pm
Lunch Plus
10-11am
Zumba
10:30-11:45am
Vitality Yoga
1-2pm
Reader’s Theater
1-4pm
Mah Jongg
1-4pm
Tech Guy
(by appointment only)
8:30-9:30am
9:30-12pm
10:30-12pm
1-4pm
6-7:15pm
9:30-12pm
Lunch Plus
10-12pm
Sit ‘n” Stitch
11:30-12:30pm Ageless Grace
12:30-2pm
Super Scrabble
1-4pm
Glen Cannon Bridge
1-4pm
Mah Jongg
9-10am
9:30-12pm
3-5pm
5:30—6:30pm
7:30-until
21
22
23
24
9:30-12pm
10-11am
10:30-11:45am
1-2pm
1-4pm
1-4pm
Lunch Plus
Zumba
Vitality Yoga
Reader’s Theater
Mah Jongg
Tech Guy
(By Appointment Only)
28
9:30-12pm
10-11am
10:30-11:45am
1-2pm
1-4pm
1-4pm
8:30-9:30am
9:30-12pm
10:30-12pm
1-4pm
6-7:15pm
Tai Chi Practice
Lunch Plus
Pastel Club
Social Bridge
Yoga Pilates Fusion
Tai Chi Practice
Lunch Plus
Pastel Club
Social Bridge
Yoga Pilates Fusion
29
Lunch Plus
Zumba
Vitality Yoga
Reader’s Theater
Mah Jongg
Tech Guy
(By Appointment Only)
8:30-9:30am
9:30-12pm
10:30-12pm
1-4pm
6-7:15pm
sion
9:30-12pm
10-12pm
11:30-12:30pm
12:30-2pm
1-4pm
Lunch Plus
Sit ‘n” Stitch
Ageless Grace
Super Scrabble
Mah Jongg
Lunch Plus
Sit ‘n” Stitch
Ageless Grace
Super Scrabble
Mah Jongg
30
Tai Chi Practice
Lunch Plus
Pastel Club
Social Bridge
Yoga Pilates Fu-
9:30-12pm
10-12pm
11:30-12:30pm
12:30-2pm
ble
1-4pm
9-10am
9:30-12pm
2-3pm
5:30—6:30pm
7:30-until
4
Yoga Practice
Lunch Plus
Woodcarving
Social Dance
Mountain Music
Yoga Practice
Lunch Plus
Dulcimer Players
Social Dance
Mountain Music
Mah Jongg
9-10am
Freewrite Friday
12noon
SOC Closed
9:30-12pm
Lunch Plus
9-10am
Freewrite Friday
12noon
SOC Closed
18
Yoga Practice
Lunch Plus
Woodcarving
Social Dance
Mountain Music
9:30-12pm
9-10am
12 noon
3-5pm
Lunch Plus
Freewrite Friday
Closed until 3pm
Chess Tournament
25
9-10am
Yoga Practice
9:30-12pm
Lunch Plus
2-3pm
Dulcimer Players
3-4:30
“Youthful Spine”
(# 3 of series Active Senior Workshop)
5:30—6:30pm
Social Dance
7:30-until
Mountain Music
9-10am
9:30-12pm
3-5pm
5:30—6:30pm
7:30-until
Lunch Plus
11
31
Lunch Plus
Sit ‘n” Stitch
Ageless Grace
Super Scrab-
9:30-12pm
Yoga Practice
Lunch Plus
Woodcarving
Social Dance
Mountain Music
Closed
Good Friday