By Tammy Fager

The Osage County Senior Center has reopened for activities and has reestablished its usual activity schedule. Daily activities at the center, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., include:

• Mondays – Sewing 8 a.m.; exercise with Dee 9 a.m.; Threads 1 p.m.; (pitch will not be starting for a while).
• Tuesdays – Ceramics 9 a.m., exercise with Dee 9 a.m.; Mexican Train games with snacks 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays – Sewing 8 a.m.; exercise with Dee 9 a.m.
• Thursdays – Art and painting 9 a.m.; exercise with Dee 9 a.m.
• Fridays – Exercise with Dee 9 a.m.; bingo 10 a.m.

Other upcoming events include Hermes Foot Care at the senior center Tuesday, June 16. They will clip toenails and check feet and legs. Anyone never seen by Hermes will need to fill out an application prior to an appointment. To make an appointment, contact the senior center at 785-528-1170. Wednesday, June 17, Robin with Angle Care, Emporia, will be at the center to take blood pressures and discuss results. Friday, June 19, Rick with Ediger Hearing Aid Services will be at the center 10-11:30 a.m.

The center is currently collecting donations for a yard sale that will be July 16-18.

By Tammy Fager, Director

The Osage County Senior Center’s next fundraiser will be a pancake feed 7-10 a.m.  Saturday, March 7, 2020. Pancakes served until 10 a.m. or until they are gone.

Winners for the cupcake contest were Pam Noonan, best tasting, and Barb Janes, best decorated. Honorable mention went to Mary Treinen and Teresa Nell. Thank to everyone that made the cupcakes and helped with the contest. Special thanks to Colton Hultgren, Mariah O’Bryan, and Fred Diver for being our judges.

Larry Tindell submitted the winning guess for the amount of candy in the candy dish. Nadine Tindell won the Valentine’s Day lap quilt giveaway.

The center auctioned off the remaining cupcakes at the potluck dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 12. We had a lot of fun with it. The money made will be used for future potlucks.

The center is taking donations for a yard sale that will be in April.

Anyone that would like to help with quilting or does crocheting, knitting or needlepoint, is welcome to join the Sewing Chicks on Mondays. Quilting is Mondays and Wednesdays.

On Jan. 17, 2020, the Osage County Senior Center will have its January potluck lunch. It was decided to try a themed potluck and this month will be Mexican food. This doesn’t mean diners must bring a Mexican dish; all are invited and can bring anything they like.

On Jan. 31 will be another blood drive at the center, and Jan. 25 will be Quartermania for meals on wheels. More information on these events will be available soon.

Commodities are distributed at the center on the second Wednesday of every month. Participants must be at least 60 years old to qualify, with an income of $1,354 or less for one person or $1,832 or less for two people in the same household. Income verification and a one-month waiting period are required. Anyone in Osage County is eligible if they meet the above qualifications. For those with more people in the household, contact the center for help with determining if you qualify.

Anyone who is unable to come to Osage City to pick up commodities is asked to contact the center. We would like to know if there are people that qualify that can’t get here.

By Tammy Fager, Osage County Senior Center Director

Joan, with the help of volunteers, decorated the Osage County Senior Center for the Osage City Chamber’s Christmas on Market Street celebration and the upcoming community Thanksgiving meal.

On Dec. 3, a foot care company will be here to take any additional people that need toenails clipped or any other foot problems checked. You need to make an appointment for this. If we don’t have additional people sign up we will have to cancel this date.

Due to all the activities in November we will not be having a potluck this month, but will start again on Dec. 18. Meal service will be furnishing turkey with stuffing, ham and mashed potatoes, so we just need some additional trimmings and desserts. We hope to see you then.

Sewing Chicks want to remind everyone that they are still making chemo caps for cancer patients. If you know someone that needs one, contact the center. If anyone would like to buy one they are $5 each. If you would like to help make them you can contact the center for a pattern.

Along with quilts, afghans, pillows, they have aprons for men and women – all great Christmas presents. They also really some really nice walker bags made out of upholstery material, with more to come.

We want to make sure everyone knows that we give out commodities at the center on the second Wednesday of every month. Participants must be at least 60 years old to qualify with an income of $1,354 for one person or $1,832 for two persons in the same house or less. Income verification is required, as well as a one-month waiting period. The waiting period is due to ordering a month in advance. Anyone in Osage County is eligible and they meet the qualifications. Contact the center and we can help with determining if you qualify. If you are unable to come to Osage City and pick up commodities.

For more information, stop by the Osage County Senior Center at 604 Market St., Osage City, Kan., or call 785-528-1170.

• Mondays: Sewing 8 a.m., exercise 11 a.m., cribbage 12:15 p.m., Threads 1 p.m., pitch 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays: Ceramics 9 a.m., Mexican Train with snacks 12-12:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays: Sewing 8 a.m., exercise 11 a.m., cribbage 12:15 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 21: Art and painting 9 a.m., new exercising with Dee 9 a.m.
• Friday, Nov. 22: Bingo 10-11 a.m.

By Tammy Fager, Senior Center Director

On Oct. 18, 2019, the Osage County Senior Center will be hosting a blood drive. Remember we are challenging all Osage County business that want to participate to have their customers give the business name. The business with the most donors will win a traveling trophy.

On Oct. 22, a Medicare rep will be at the center; set up appointments. The Medicare specialist or representatives are usually associated with private insurance companies. Make sure before you sign up that everything you use or may need in the immediate future is covered.

At noon on Oct. 25, the senior center potluck welcomes everyone; just bring a covered dish. Sheriff Laurie Dunn will be speaking on robo calls and scams.

We want to make sure everyone knows that commodities are distributed at the Osage County Senior Center. Participants must be 60 years old to qualify, with an income of $1,354 for one person or $1,832 for two persons in the same house or less. Income verification is required. A one-month waiting period is required due to ordering a month in advance. Anyone in Osage County is eligible if they meet the above qualifications. If you have more people in the household, contact the senior center and we can help with determining if you qualify.

Sewing Chicks want to remind everyone that they are making chemo caps for cancer patients. If you know someone that needs one, or if you’d like to help make them and need a pattern, contact the center. Threads Around the Table will be changing their meeting day to Mondays instead of Wednesdays.

By Tammy Fager
Senior Center Director

On Saturday, Oct. 5, we had Quartermania at the Osage County Senior Center and it was a lot of fun. The weather was not very pleasant outside. Our turnout was not great, but everyone including the vendors had a good time.

Here are some upcoming activities to put on your calendar.

• Oct. 10 – We will have biscuits and gravy at 8:30 a.m.
• Oct. 14 – Medicare rep will be here; set up an appointment to meet with the rep. Note: Medicare specialists or representatives are usually associated with one or all of the private insurances. Please make sure before you sign up that everything you use or may need in the immediate future is covered.
• Oct. 16 – Birthday lunch day.
• Oct 17 – Hermes will be doing toenails (every nine weeks by appointment only). As of this writing we have one open spot. If more spots needed, they will consider a 2nd day.
• Oct 18 – We are having a blood drive. Remember we are challenging all Osage County business that want to participate – have their customers give the business’ name. The business with the most donors will win a traveling trophy.
• Oct. 22 – Medicare rep will be here; set up appointment.
• Oct. 25 – We are having an Osage County Senior Center potluck dinner. Everyone is welcome; they are just asked to bring a covered dish. I still have not heard from the attorney general’s office to confirm whether they will make it. They have been asked to talk about robo calls and telephone scams.

Well, the long dreary winter days are upon us. Sometimes it just feels like winter will never end. Even though we have been lucky with few icy or snowy days it can still be gray and lonely. All of us at the Osage County Senior Center would like you to know that we are open every day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and we almost always have a pot of coffee brewing.

If you are retired or just find yourself at home with nothing to do please come on in and get to know us! Maybe you have a few friends who are in the same predicament – think about grabbing them and bringing them in, too. We have nice tables and chairs that are always ready for a card game or dominoes – or just a nice spot to gather around and have a lively gab session.

Tax season is quickly coming upon us. AARP representatives will be at the senior center 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 1, 2018. AARP service has been very popular service in the past, so take advantage of it this year. There are limited spaces available; call the center to set up an appointment at 785-528-4906.